Driving Route: Loop Head Peninsula Drive
Starting Point: The route starts and finishes in Kilrush.
Services: Kilrush, Carrigaholt and Kilkee.
Time: This driving route makes a comfortable day trip allowing you to visit all the places named.
One of Clare's most scenic drives takes you around Loop Head Peninsula, the county's most southwesterly point. The cliff girdled peninsula with the Atlantic on one side and the Shannon Estuary on the other is one of Ireland's best kept secrets.
Heading southwest of Ennis on the N68 you come to the maritime town of Kilrush on the Shannon Estuary. Follow the coast road to the small fishing village of Carrigaholt where you can buy freshly caught fish from Clare's Atlantic fishermen.
Stop a while in Kilbaha, the last parish before America, before heading west to the very tip of Loop Head. The lighthouse that stands at the tip of Loop Head has been flashing its warning signal for 300 years.
On the journey north park at the Bridges of Ross for sightings of rare seabirds. Continue on to the very popular seaside resort of Kilkee (mention Victorian streetscape) with its fabulous crescent beach, pictured above.
On your return to Kilrush do make time to include a 20 minute ferry trip to the monastic ruins of Scattery Island.
Loophead Penninsula Downloadable Map
Head Office, Shannon Town Centre,
Shannon, Co Clare: t: +353 (0)61 361555 f: +353 (0)61 361903