The Burren Guide
Ireland's karst landscape of bare limestone pavement, ancient tombs and plants found nowhere else together — what the Burren actually is and how to see it.
Hidden Gems in Clare
Loop Head Peninsula's cliffs with a fraction of the Cliffs of Moher's crowds, Kilfenora's trad-music pubs and High Crosses, and the quiet waterways of East Clare.
By Ireland Spots TeamPhoto: Notsmallworld / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Clare's reputation rests on the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, both genuinely worth the trip — but here's what sits just beyond the usual route.
Loop Head Peninsula
A quieter stretch of Atlantic coastline further south than the Cliffs of Moher, with its own dramatic cliffs and small fishing villages, and a fraction of the visitor numbers. It's further from Doolin and the main Burren route, so it suits a dedicated half-day or day out rather than a quick stop on the way to somewhere else.
Kilfenora
A small village in the Burren best known locally for its traditional music — several sources point to Kilfenora, along with Tulla and Feakle, as where the county's trad scene genuinely lives, in contrast to Doolin's more visitor-oriented sessions. Kilfenora's cathedral, with its collection of High Crosses, is worth combining with an evening session if you're staying nearby.
East Clare and Lough Derg
A quieter, inland side of the county built around Lough Derg, with walking and paddling routes along its Blueway. It's a genuinely different pace from the coastal side of Clare most visitors see, and worth knowing about if the Cliffs and the Burren have you wanting a slower afternoon.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Loop Head Peninsula worth visiting instead of the Cliffs of Moher?
It's a genuine alternative rather than a replacement — Loop Head has its own dramatic Atlantic cliffs and fishing villages, with far fewer visitors than the Cliffs of Moher, but it's further from Doolin and the Burren, so it suits a dedicated detour rather than a quick add-on.
What is Kilfenora known for?
A small Burren village known for genuinely local traditional music sessions — several guides point to Kilfenora, alongside Tulla and Feakle, as where the county's trad scene actually lives, rather than Doolin's more visitor-facing version. Kilfenora's cathedral and its High Crosses are also worth the stop.
What is there to see in East Clare?
East Clare, around Lough Derg, is a quieter part of the county built around the lake's Blueway walking and paddling routes — a genuinely different pace from the Cliffs of Moher and Burren side of Clare most visitors see.
Practical details last verified 5 November 2026.
More in Clare
Things to Do in Clare
From the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren to Doolin, Bunratty and the county town of Ennis — how Clare's main sights fit together and how to plan around them.
Cliffs of Moher Guide
Ireland's most-visited natural attraction — how high the cliffs actually are, how to get there without a car, and what the coastal walk involves.