Spotlight on County Clare
Big Skies and Sheltered Waters
The Shannon Estuary is a spectacular and unspoilt estuary located just off the Wild Atlantic Way, straddling Counties Clare and Limerick. It even briefly sneaks into County Kerry.
This area of remarkable natural beauty is where Ireland’s longest river – the mighty Shannon - flows into the azure water of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the Shannon Estuary Way, you will find delightful towns, pretty villages and world famous shore fishing sites.
The Shannon Estuary Way is a looped drive of c.297km (135 miles) that circumnavigates the mighty Shannon Estuary and incorporates the following locations: Ennis, Ballynacally, Killadysert, Labasheeda, Killimer, Tarbert, Foynes, Askeaton, Kilcornan, Limerick City, Bunratty and Clarecastle.
You can enjoy the route in any direction or from any starting point, whatever suits you best. For example, if you are in Ennis, you can either head south-east towards Shannon and Limerick or alternatively you could head south-west towards Killadysert and Killimer. If you are in Limerick, you can either head north-west towards Bunratty or head south-west towards Foynes and Tarbert.
Along the route, there are eleven new viewing points featuring stories and imagery from local communities under the concept of ‘big skies and sheltered waters’.
The Shannon Estuary Way motif celebrates the traditional wooden fishing boats unique to the River Shannon - the gandelow. Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins as you cross the estuary on the
Shannon Ferry from Killimer to Tarbert. Enjoy lunch in one of the pretty villages enroute. Stop off at one of the many piers to recharge your batteries and dream big as you enjoy the big skies and sheltered waters of the Shannon Estuary Way.