14 Old Ruins to Explore in County Clare

Checkout places to visit in County Clare

County Clare is a county in Ireland, in the Mid-West Region and the province of Munster, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Clare County Council is the local authority. The county had a population of 118,817 at the 2016 census. The county town and largest settlement is Ennis.

Popular Activities And Trips in County Clare

Filter By Date

//

Sort By

Old Ruins to Explore in County Clare

Ballinalacken Castle

Ballinalacken Castle is a two-stage tower house located in Killilagh parish of County Clare, Ireland. It is of uncertain date but most likely was built in the 15th or early 16th century. The current tower house resembles Leamaneh Castle in that it was constructed over a prolonged period. The oldest part is the tall eastern tower, likely built in the 15th century. It is located in the region known as the Burren on a limestone outcrop overlooking the roads from Lisdoonvarna to Fanore and Doolin.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

It is a large 15th-century tower house in County Clare, Ireland. The spot on which this castle stands has been occupied for over 1000 years. From the Vikings to the Normans, great Irish Earls and noble Lords and Ladies. The castle and the adjoining folk park are run by Shannon Heritage as tourist attractions.

Corcomroe Abbey

Corcomroe Abbey is beautifully situated on the edge of the rocky hills of the Burren. It is best known for its lonely situation, lying close to another interesting monastic settlement, a group of three small early Christian Churches which nestle in the pass of Oughtmana and which are dedicated to St. Colman. The church was constructed in the early 13th century and consists of a nave with an aisle on the south side

Craggaunowen is a 16th-century castle and an archaeological open-air museum in County Clare, Ireland. It was built around 1550 by John MacSioda MacNamara, a descendant of Sioda MacNamara, who built Knappogue Castle in 1467. The open-air museum was started by John Hunt. It features reconstructions of ancient Irish architecture, including a dolmen, a crannog, and the currach boat used in Tim Severins recreation of "The Voyage of St. Brendan the Abbot".

Doonagore Castle

Doonagore Castle is a superb 16th century Irish castle, located on the oceanfront in County Clare, less than a kilometre from the village of Doolin. The castle is a round tower house with a small courtyard enclosed by a defensive wall. With its elevated position overlooking Doolin Point, the castle serves as a navigational landmark for boats approaching Doolin Pier.

Doonbeg Castle stands at the bottom of a little bay about three miles south of Tromra. It is in good preservation and partly inhabited by a poor family - about six miles north west of Kilrush. It is an iconic attraction in this area and there are so many things to see and do here.

Dysert O'Dea Castle and Archaeology Centre

Dysert O’Dea Castle and Archaeological Centre in Corofin is known for its wealth of historical and archaeological remains. Built in 1480 the castle is now an archaeological centre with more than twenty five archaeological and historical sites. The centre has a modern history room, 1700 AD to 2000 AD, a museum of local artefacts from 1000 BC to 700 AD, an audio visual presentation and a Roof Wall Walk.

Dysert O'Dea Monastery

The monastery of Dysert O'Dea is said to have been founded by Saint Tola in the 8th century. Most of the ruins of the Romanesque structure visible today date mainly from the 12th century. The lancet windows in the east gable were additions from the early 13th century. The stone arch, showing twelve human and seven animal heads, also dates to the 13th century. Inside the church is the grave of Joan O'Dea, wife of the last clan chieftain, Michael O'Dea.

Ennis Franciscan friary was built on an island at a point where the river Fergus divides. This island is now incorporated into the streetscape of the modern town but remnants of the medieval settlement are evident. Among the remains, visitors can view various 15th and 16th century sculptures, the figure of St. Francis displaying the stigmata, an image of Ecce Home, the McMahon tomb and more. It is a National Monument of Ireland.

Knappogue Castle

Knappogue Castle is a tower house, built in 1467 and expanded in the mid-19th century, located in the parish of Quin, County Clare, Ireland. Today, the castle is used as a venue for weddings and medieval banquets and offers guided tours. Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life to stay in a splendid Medieval Castle in Ireland. You will be both relaxed and spoiled in this hidden gem of Clare countryside.

Moher Tower at Hag's Head

Moher Tower is the stone ruin of an old Napoleonic-era watchtower which stands on Hag's Head, at the southern end of the Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, Ireland. The current tower stands close to the site of a much earlier promontory fort, known as Mothar or Moher. The building is a single, nearly square, tower with two rectilinear bartizans protruding from the top of its eastern wall, and one from the western wall.

Mooghaun Hill Fort

Mooghaun Bronze Age Hillfort, near Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare, was built at the beginning of the Late Bronze Age around 950 BC and is one of the biggest such forts in Ireland. The site is enclosed by woodland near Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare. There is a self guided trail up to the Hillfort which is identified as the largest in Ireland. Believed to be the largest hill fort in Ireland, it is one of the region's main tourist attractions.

A beautiful and distinctive 16th century fortified tower house, built originally for a branch of the O‘Briens and passing thereafter into the possession of the powerful local family of the O’Loghlens. The Castle is mostly cylindrical in shape but rises from a square pyramidical base. It is today part of the Burren College of Art. The castle is available for hire as a wedding venue and conference event location.

O'Brien's Tower

O'Brien's Tower marks the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher, a very popular tourist destination in County Clare, Ireland. It is located a short distance from the villages Doolin and Liscannor. The Tower was built in 1835 by Cornelius O’Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, the first High King of Ireland. The tower was used as an observation tower for the hundreds of visitors who even then came to the Cliffs each year to see the breathtaking views.

Map of Old Ruins to Explore in County Clare