There is so much to see and do in North Clare that we couldn't possibly list everything, but below are some suggestions. All are within a one-hour drive of Fernhill Farmhouse.

The Burren region of North Clare derives its name from the Irish word Boireann, which means "rocky land", the perfect name for an area of land that more resembles a lunar surface than a place for exotic and rare plant species.

The Burren is approximately 100 square miles of fissure covered limestone surface similar to what you will see at Doolin Point. These fissures are commonly known as grykes and often described as "lunar" in appearance.

Music Shop and Doonagore Castle. A particularly special place is Doolin Point, which isn't so much a beach as it is a miracle of Mother Nature.

Crossing the little bridge at the Music Shop and following the narrow road out to the point visitors can take the Aran Island Ferry out to one of the Aran Islands in the summer months. But this isn't the only feature. Here, giant limestone slabs descend into the sea in giant steps.

It took more than a few centuries to create this marvelous ocean front where thick layers of weathered limestone has evolved into a stair-like effect. Like steps made for a giant, these layers stretch across the coastline, disappearing into the frothy waves (photos above).

One can see the immense size of these slabs immediately when stood next to. So it's all the more amazing to see some of these slab resting at odd angles, as if the waves just tossed them up onto the shore.

On the viewing platform there are telescopes that allow you to see the birds as well as down the rocky face of

the cliffs. Just below this platform is a prominent sandstone ledge that you can walk out onto, but be warned that there is no protective barrier between you and going over the side!

Doonagore Castle overlooks Doolin Sound from a hillside over Doolin Village. Little is known about this castle but it was restored in recent times and remains a private residence.

Views from the hillside and road surrounding the castle are outstanding. On a clear day one can see all three of the Aran Islands.

Doonagore Castle

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Kilfenora Cross

VIII. Henry, in turn, made Murrough the first Earl of Thomond and Baron Inchiquin.

What stands in ruin today includes the manor house built in 1648 by one of the more influential owners, Maire Rua O'Brien, or "Red Mary", known for her red hair.
The multi-gabled manor house was very modern for its time, as this style of house didn't come into vogue until nearly fifty years later.

The O'Brien's ruled most of Clare for several hundred years and occupied many of the biggest castles, such as Dromoland and Bunratty.

Maire Rua and her family had only a few peaceful years in Leahmaneh Castle though. In January 1649 King Charles I was executed in London and Oliver Cromwell declared himself "Lord Protector". His first and most well known mission was to subdue Ireland and convert her Catholic heathens to his Puritanistic rule. In 1651, Lord Conor O'Brien was felled by Cromwell's army, thus beginning the downfall of North Clare's seat of leadership. Conor's and Maire's son, Donagh, was the last of the O'Brien's to occupy the house, having moved to another family home of Dromoland Castle in Newmarket-On-Fergus, which is south of Ennis. There were other occupants but the house finally fell into ruin at the end of the 18th century.

A King of Connaught, father to King Guaire the Generous (of Dunguaire Castle), had heard the prophecy of a child who would outstrip the Kings. Colman was that child, so the King sent two henchmen to kill Colman's mother, Rhinach, while Colman was still in her womb. A stone was tied around Rhinach's neck and she was thrown into Kiltart River, near Gort. Legend has it that the rock floated and carried Rhinach and her baby to safety. After his birth, Colman was hidden away for many years and prepared for his monastic life and the priesthood.

Rhinach's stone reputedly rests on the inside windowsill of the ruined church in Kiltartan near Coole Park, the rope marks still evident!
One day, many years later, King Guaire discovered his cousin Colman living in the wilds of the Burren. To make amends for what his father had done, Guaire gave land to Colman build his monastery. Colman accepted the gift and set about to choose the perfect spot. It wasn't until one day as he was riding that his girdle (belt accidentally fell to the ground that Colman made his choice.

Centuries later, the girdle was still in the hands of the O'Shaughnessy's and O'Heyne's, as was Colman's crozier, which is not on display in the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street in Dublin City. Unfortunately, the girdle's whereabouts are unknown today as it disappeared during the Battle of the Boyne where the O'Shaughnessy's had taken it into battle with them. This girdle was studded with precious gems and was said to hold unexplained powers. It was said that no matter how slim, the girdle would not go around an unchaste waist.

The village end of the park is near the castle and is where you'll find the thatch cottages. The fisherman's cottage has a man inside showing you how to make fishing nets. The blacksmith shows you how to make nails and other metal items. The weavers cottage offers fine woven goods and the shopkeeper will show you how the loom works. The farmhouse has a woman inside baking traditional soda bread and churning her own butter (stick around and she'll offer you a taste). And the farmhouse garage has the farmer in it telling you about farming…unless he's inside the farmhouse scoffing some bread and butter for his tea!

The town end of the park has several period buildings that are open for trade as well. The camera store will take an old fashioned photo of you, the confectionery will cater to your sweet tooth and the restaurant will serve you wonderful traditional fare. There is also a working post office where you can mail your post cards and a pub to quench your thirst.

The countryside section includes a millhouse, Georgian country house, church, petting zoo, various pens and meandering paths.

Park employees dress in period costume and wander the streets demonstrating traditional crafts.

While Coole House was destroyed in the 1950's, something the Irish state has since regretted, the park still exists as part of the National Parks system and is open to the public as Coole Park. Visitors can stroll through the estate, which retains much of the same atmosphere as it did during Lady Gregory's time.

First time visitors are encouraged to start at the interpretive center (located at the entrance to the estate in the old stables) where a guided tour will lead you through the history of the estate and the importance of the ILR. Examples of the works of these famous visitors are on display.

Some of the areas of the estate worth visiting include the woodland walks, Coole Lake, the walled garden, the site of the original house, and of course the interpretive center which is located in the restored stable area.

Visitors can follow in the footsteps of some of Ireland's preeminent personalities as they wind their way to the famous Autograph Tree, a giant Copper Beech in the walled garden, and stand in the same spot as Shaw, Yeats, Synge and O'Casey stood while scrawling their initials. The tree is now surrounded by a 10 foot high iron railing topped with barbed wire for the preservation of this part of our Irish heritage. Even though some of these initials are 100 years old or more many can still be seen.

Yeats loved the Irish language and in support of his affinity for the Irish language he renamed the castle Túr Ballylee (pronounced toor), which was Anglicized later as Thoor Ballylee, often simply been called The Tower by family and friends.

The Yeats' would spend their summers between 1916 and 1923 in this tower, where he found most of his later inspiration. The Tower, as he referred to it, was the inspiration behind man of his poems.