Lisdoonvarna is in the Burren area of North Clare, a Unesco Geo-park famed for its landscape, megalithic tombs, Iron-Age forts, castles, caves, seascapes and more besides – a fabulous place to visit, even in winter. Ireland’s top outdoor attraction the Cliffs of Moher are a few miles away. There are top-class food producers in the area – especially cheese-makers and for seafood lovers the Burren Smoke-House, which is 100 yards from our venue. Lisdoonvarna itself became popular as a spa centre some 150 years ago, hosted a famous music festival (1978-83) immortalised in song by Christy Moore, and is the location for the globally-renowned annual Matchmaking Festival in September. Driving F rom Dublin – from Dublin centre or the M50 ring road, take the M4 motorway (Sligo/Galway), branch left onto the M6 (to Galway) near Kinnegad, and turn south on the M18 near Athenry. From there turn off at Kiltiernan, drive south on a choice of minor roads to connect with the R347and then the N67 to Kinvara. This very scenic route continues to Ballyvaughan, where the N67 bears left to Lisdoonvarna via the celebrated hairpins of Corkscrew Hill. (Another alternative is to continue on the M18 past Kiltiernan, turn off at Gort, and then take the R460 to Corofin – passing the monastic site of Kilmacduagh and Lough Bunny – and turn right onto the R476 towards Kilfenora and then Lisdoonvarna.) Another option from Dublin is to take the N7 and M7 motorway towards Limerick, where you bear right onto the N18 and Shannon Tunnel which becomes the M18. Turn left towards Ennis, take the ring road round to the N85 junction towards Ennistimon, turning right ouside Ennis onto the R476 proceeding via Corofin and Kilfenora to Lisdoonvarna. From Galway – drivers from Galway or anyone coming from the North and West of Ireland can take the N67 off the Galway ring road, turning right at Kilcolgan on the coast road to Kinvara, Ballyvaghan and left to Lisdoonvarna. From the south – head towards Limerick, where you bear right onto the N18 and Shannon Tunnel which becomes the M18. Turn left towards Ennis, take the ring road round to the N85 junction towards Ennistimon, turning right ouside Ennis onto the R476 proceeding via Corofin and Kilfenora to Lisdoonvarna. Visitors from Kerry can optionally take the Tarbert-Killmer ferry across the Shannon and reach Lisdoonvarna via the coast road to Lahinch and then via Ennistiomon. Note – there are cash or electronic tolls on Ireland’s motorways, but an electronic only toll on the M50 south of the airport which must be paid for in advance. See https://www.eflow.ie/ or check with your car hire company. Flights The most local airport is Shannon (Ireland’s first transatlantic airport and where ‘duty-free’ retailing first started). Drive to Lisdoonvarna by turning left onto the M18 towards Galway and then turn off at Ennis as described above (50-60 minutes). There is a wider choice of international flights into Dublin. It’s a 3-4 hour drive from there to Lisdoonvarna depending on your route and your driving style! Leave Dublin via the M50 (and its electronic toll) and follow the instructions above. Buses and Trains Galway to Lisdoonvarna – the 350 Bus Eireann service meanders from Galway to Lisdoonvarna (105 minutes). Bus Eireann tickets can optionally be bought in advance via the company website. Ennis to Lisdoonvarna – the 350 service running north takes about 80 minutes. Shannon Airport to Ennis – Bus Eireann run services 51, X51 and the slower 343. There are bus and train services from Dublin and Cork to Ennis (often via Limerick), inexpensive if you book ahead. From Dublin airport – there is a good bus service via the Red Cow interchange to Ennis http://www.dublincoach.ie/ . This saves going into Dublin and connecting from the train or bus stations. (If using Dublin Coach, unless you are visiting Ennis, ask to get out near Ennis Bus & Train station rather than the endpoint at the Temple Gate Hotel car park.)