Location: Kilfenora
Top Things to do in Kilfenora
10 Things to Do in Kilfenora That You Shouldn't Miss
Kilfenora (Irish: Cill Fhionnúrach, meaning "Church of the Fertile Hillside" or "Church of the White Brow", [ˈciːlʲˈɪn̪ˠuːɾˠəx]) is a village and a civil parish in County Clare, Ireland. It is situated south of the karst limestone region known as the Burren. Since medieval times when it was the episcopal see of the Bishop of Kilfenora, it has been known as the "City of the Crosses" for its seven (now five) high crosses. The village had around 220 inhabitants in 2011 and achieved a certain amount of fame as the location where much of the TV show Father Ted (1995-98) was filmed.
Restaurants in Kilfenora
1. Heart of Burren Walks
Overall Ratings
5 based on 528 reviews
Reviewed By FnuLnu - Tennessee
I was quite disappointed that Tonry Kirby was unavailable for the walk but he recommended Michael Killeen and he was excellent. Michael was extremely knowledgeable, good humored, and patient. He also knows about plants and their medicinal qualities. I was on the Burren about 40 years ago and did not really know what I was seeing. Michael explained it all in about two and a half hours. Wear comfortable hiking shoes that might get wet. We joined several other people including a couple with children. The more the merrier.
2. Caherconnell Stone Fort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 250 reviews
Caherconnell Stone Fort, situated 1km south of Poulnabrone dolmen in the heart of the Burren Ireland , offers you the opportunity to visit an exceptionally well - preserved example of the stone forts or stone ringforts which are to be found in the Burren Ireland.The fort is in its original state. Its position, overlooking virtually all-surrounding areas suggests a defensive settlement. Archaeological excavations take place each summer in association with 'CAFS' - Caherconnell Archaeological Field School- an International Field School accredited by NUI, Galway. As well as a trip to the Fort, visitors can also take in the Burren's Premier Sheepdog Demonstrations at Caherconnell,enjoying the combined skills of the farmer and the border collie as they work in the natural habitat of the Burren.
Reviewed By Jeanne b - Lockport, New York
Lovely lunch and shopping experience and the dogs were amazing. The handler demonstrated his training techniques and then ran the dogs through a nice demonstration, they moved the sheep all over the yard. We all really enjoyed it
3. Lahinch Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By ThePBR - NE USA
It was quite the windy day - when we were at Lehinch Beach in October. It's beauty was breathtaking that day. Great to explore and take in the scenery. It was grand to walk about and watch the waves beating on the shore. The town offers a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs.
4. Cliffs of Moher
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Scenic cliffs stretching 700 feet over the rugged Atlantic coast. A short walk to O'Brien's Tower provides an excellent lookout on Ireland's beautiful western shoreline. The visitor centre hidden underneath the hillside houses an exhibition, two cafes, gift shop, toilets, first aid centre, information points and baggage store
Reviewed By Dawn A - Baltimore, Maryland
This is a must-see when you’re in Ireland. The views from the cliffs are absolutely amazing! I could have stared at the cliffs and taken pictures all day had it not been so darn windy! There was also a very nice visitor’s center, a large gift shop, and a few other little stores as well. Definitely visit!
Overall Ratings
4 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By IN_Travelers47906 - West Lafayette, Indiana
Located directly in the town of Kilfenora, the cathedral’s primary value to a tourist is its archaeological significance, which, quite frankly, is not of huge interest to me as someone looking primarily for photo ops while touring. Given all of the other beautiful churches and cathedrals in Ireland, I found this one to be a bit of photographic challenge.
6. The Roadside Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Pook72 - Galway
You must try the Burren Gold and the Black. Very different, very tasty! Lots of people eating here so obviously does food well also.
7. Ted Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Ted Tours operates tours of Father Ted Country. We visit the locations from the hit TV series. We provide expert guides and fancy dress for those all important photo opportunities. So don't miss out on the 'craic', come on a Ted Tour. Careful Now!
Reviewed By GLEAVESE - Manchester, United Kingdom
We were a party of 4 adults and booked the Ted tour together with afternoon tea. The whole experience was great fun and a little quirky but with were with other like minded people on our bus which added to the experience. Ted tours provided...MoreHi Bishops Gleaves, thank you so much for your lovely review, and the fab photos you posted to our page, your comments are much appreciated by us all here at Ted Tours, Careful Now! Janet
8. Burren Hills Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By catatonia_10 - London, United Kingdom
Shane is fantastic (and hilarious), and his extensive knowledge of the burren, history, flora and fauna present an idea opportunity to discover a bit of County Clare. I can't recommend signing up for a tour with him enough. We mete him at the parking lot next to the church in Ballyvaughan, and there were only four of us on the walk so we piled into his car (his boot is loaded with hazelwood walking sticks!) and we did the Black Head Mountain walk (about 3.5 hours). A stop at the round fort at the top offered a moment of respite from the wind and some more story telling, question and answers. Really top notch- bring good shoes and rain gear!
9. Burren Smokehouse Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
The Burren Smokehouse Visitors Centre, Lisdoonvarna, was established in 1995, to create a window for the smokehouse’s own products and other local gourmet products and crafts. We offer a video for our visitors that shows how our salmon is being smoked, starting from filleting to dispatch. The audiovisual is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and English with Dutch subtitles. You can taste our salmon and also look into our very first kiln – now retired – with its smokebox that had a facility for 25 sides of salmon to be smoked.Apart from a painting done by the late Cyril O'Ceirin depicting how salmon was smoked in Ireland thousands of years ago, you will discover our unique mosaics telling the story of the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’.Our Visitor Centre has become a popular attraction in the North County Clare area and welcomes visitors from all over the world. It is open all year round, please check our website – click on ‘Visit us in Ireland’ – to see the opening hours.The centre can also cater for groups of up to 50 people – booking in advance is necessary. In our crafts and delicatessen shop you can conveniently cover all the presents that you will need to bring home with you.The Burren Smokehouse is a family-run business that was set up in 1989 by Birgitta & Peter Curtin. We carefully source our Irish quality raw materials for the Burren Smoked Salmon, Trout, Mackerel, and Cheese. We control our own quality standards with backup of regular testing from independent laboratories and regular checks from organisations who certify us. The Smokehouse currently employs a staff of fifteen, and ships within Ireland and to countries all over the world through our visitor centre and through our website.We are associated with Slow Food Ireland and help organise the annual Burren Slow Food Festival which takes place every May in Lisdoonvarna. We are also member of Good Food Ireland and the Burren Ecotourism Network. We are passionate about our local and Irish foods that you can buy in our gourmet shop. Our range includes: * Our own smoked organic salmon, smoked mackerel, trout; we only use fish caught or grown in Ireland * Irish craft products, gifts, beauty products and clothes * Delicacies like jams, chocolates, biscuits, fruit wine from County Clare, mead, seaweed products, seasonings, honeys * Locally produced dairy, goat and sheep cheese specialtiesFree parking available, as well as access and facilities for the disabled.We offer a world wide mail order service in our visitor centre - pick from our wide range of products and have it shipped to yourself or your friends and family as a souvenir from Ireland.Feel free to ask us any questions you may have, we will be happy to answer them for you.
Reviewed By PatDonnellan1
Visited here on Sunday of August bank holiday weekend. Had visited Bunratty Castle, Ailwee Caves, Birds of Prey centre and camped at Nagles, Doolin. All fantastic experiences and our 2 boys were free at Bunratty & Ailwee...both under 6. Visited the smokehouse on the return trip home. Arrived at 2pm and were told we were in luck that a tour group of American visitors were just arriving and we could join them for the smokehouse experience....for a cost...€21 for the 4 of us. Our boys love smoked salmon and they were interested in seeing how it was made. The experience involved a short video (not very informative), a brief demo of how oak shavings are used in the smoking process, a cringe worthy recounting of the salmon of knowledge story, tasting of 2 types of smoked salmon and finally a sales pitch of the range of products available. The shop is lovely with some great local produce...we should've skipped the video etc but we thought for €21we would have had a better "experience". At the very least a discount on the produce could be offered. I ended up purchasing 4 packets of smoked salmon for €39.95. Not complaining about that as it is really nice but I could've got that by just walking into the shop and saved my €21. Also, overheard some American tourists on the tour commenting that they were expecting a bit more. Bit of a rip off really.
10. E-Whizz Electric Bikes - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Electric Bike Tours in County Clare, Ireland, including trails across the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and the coastline, Father Ted trail
Reviewed By VMOH729 - Clare
Did a bike tour from Lisdoonvarna to Ballyvaughan on a Sunday afternoon - 2 adults on e-whizz bikes and 2 kids in one bike trailer. Fantastic day out. Not a cyclist myself, but the e-whizz bikes made the hills so easy and I found them no problem to manage. Not sure I would have managed the route with the hilly profile if on a normal bike - but no problem on the electric bike. The route was clearly mapped. It was all quiet back roads so no worrying about traffic, we could cycle beside each other and chat as we went. Kids loved the bike trailer - ages 3 & 7 - they would love to go again. A great family day!
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