Carrigaholt Village, Rinevilla Bay & Loop Head Peninsula

Carrigaholt Village is located on the Shannon Estuary in West Co.Clare two miles from Tig Failte (Failte Cottage) and has a population of approx. 500 people comprising of the village and surrounding area.  The main industries are fishing, agriculture and tourism.  It has six pubs, each with it's own speciality, for example Carmodys has a shop attached to it's pub, The Long Bar has nice meals which are reasonably priced, Keanes hire out fishing rods and tackle and Morrissey's is the place for dancing and singing. 

In fact, if you want anything, Carmodys is the place to inquire.

Carrigaholt Castle is located just outside the village, overlooking the harbour.  It was built in the 15th century by the Mac. Mahons, chiefs of the Corcabascin Peninsula.  It is a well preserved five storey tower house and perhaps was also used as a watch-tower.

When Drake routed the Armada in 1588, seven Spanish galleons took refuge in Carrigaholt harbour.  It is said by some locals, on wet and stormy winter nights, that the ships' lights can sometimes be seen flickering out on the bay.

Loop Head lighthouse is well worth looking at, as the scenery and light are fantastic.  It's sheer and rugged cliffs, with the waves crashing hundreds of feet below, you will find quite invigorating!  The next stop is Newfoundland.  Bullanaleana, a cliff formation 2 kms north east of the lighthouse, is an important breeding place for sea-birds.  Every year from April to June the cliffs are overcrowded with fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills.  Regular visitors also include gannets, cormorants and choughs.

There is a pleasant walk of approx. two miles south of Carrigaholt past the O'Curry gaelic language school to the "Okeanos" shipwreck.  The master, it is alleged, ran it aground in 1945 for insurance purposes.  Part of the structure can be seen at low tide.

Also in the immediate area is an old British gun battery circa 1811,used to repel the French Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. As it is on private property, permission would have to be obtained to view.                                                                      

 Scattery Island is situated two miles out in the Shannon estuary (boat trips leave Kilrush yachting marina twice daily in summer)The Round Tower  is 120 ft. high and 1000 years old and  used as a sanctuary by monks during Viking                                    raids.                                                                                                       

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Here are some Irish links that you may find interesting:

Fishing in Shannon | Current Weather Conditions in Shannon | Shannon Airport | The Irish Times | Irish Independent

Clare FM | The Clare Champion | West Clare | Kilrush Golf Course | Irish Ferries | Irish Information