Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Clare

"If you’re interested in history, be sure to visit King John's Castle on Kings Island, at the medieval heart of Limerick. The 800 year old fortress is one of the best preserved castles from the Middle Ages. A Viking fortification was already here in 922, but the massive structure that stands today dates from the 13th century."

"Take a fresh look at King John’s Castle and experience Limerick’s history as you have never done before… A brand new visitor experience that brings together the Castle’s remarkable archaeology and 21st century technology to help you discover the history of Limerick and King John’s Castle"

"If you’re driving then a place I would recommend going to near Limerick is Bunratty Village and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. I actually visited here on a family holiday when I was about 11 and loved it!. I drove through the village on my way from Shannon to Limerick this time and it brought back so many memories. The buildings in the village are very typical Irish stone built buildings and many of them are home to B&B’s now if you need somewhere to stay nearby."

"Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is a must on your itinerary to Ireland. This is your chance to experience Ireland’s past and explore the famous 15th century Castle and the 19th century Folk Park."

"In Newtown Pery, the People’s Park was imagined in the first decades of the 19th century as a grand Georgian place in the vein of Mountjoy Square in Dublin. But the development was curtailed by the Great Famine, and only one terrace of flat-fronted mansions was completed. The park was opened in 1877 and is the main parcel of greenery in the centre of the city."

"An area of the city that I didn’t visit but wish I had as I read about it later on is Peoples Park. This is a green oasis in an already very green city, filled with a range of trees. There is also a Georgian House and Gardens next to it which is a restored museum house open to the public holding lots of furniture and artefacts."

"Go southwest of Limerick on the N69 and after a brief drive you’ll come to an idyllic former noble estate, now a 313-hectare public park. On a smooth ridge beside a man-made lake is the shell of Curraghchase House, going back to the mid-17th century and gutted by fire in 1941. The highly-regarded poet and critic Aubrey Thomas de Vere was born here, while his close friend Alfred, Lord Tennyson would often visit and wrote his work Lady Clara de Vere in homage."

"Curraghchase Forest Park is a fantastic amenity for all the family to enjoy. The Park covers 313 hectares of mixed woodlands, park land and lakes which together provide a rich habitat"

"Limerick’s Catholic cathedral was conceived by the English architect Philip Charles Hardwick and completed in 1861. The 94-metre tower, a constant part of the city’s skyline, dates to 1882 and was built with limestone quarried not far away in Rosbrien. More than 130 years later it remains the tallest structure in Limerick."

"Within a 170-hectare forest 800m south of the centre, this stunning 'lost' garden was the private domain of the wealthy Vandeleur family – merchants and landowners who engaged in harsh evictions and forced emigration of local people in the 19th century. There's a simple cafe and a garden centre. Woodland trails wind around the surrounding forest, which has a colourful array of plants including magnolias, acacias, acers, oaks, monkey puzzle trees, bamboo, ferns, banana trees, hydrangeas and a beech maze."

"Leanmaneh Castle is a fantastic castle that is situated in the town of Leanmaneh North, in County Clare. The origins of the castle date back to the late 15th century, and it is believed to have been constructed by the O’Brien family; the castle was later renovated into a manor house, and it merged its function as a military centre with its residential qualities. The castle fell into ruin during the 18th century, and it has not been renovated since then; it exists on privately owned land, in a farming region of the area, and due to its poor-quality state, it is unfortunately not open to the public."

"If you’re looking for Insta-worthy food, venue and location then look no further than House. Located on the banks of the River Shannon, House is a relatively new addition to Limerick’s foodie scene. Their brunch menu deserves a solid 10/10."

"Within a 170-hectare forest 800m south of the centre, this stunning 'lost' garden was the private domain of the wealthy Vandeleur family – merchants and landowners who engaged in harsh evictions and forced emigration of local people in the 19th century. There's a simple cafe and a garden centre. Woodland trails wind around the surrounding forest, which has a colourful array of plants including magnolias, acacias, acers, oaks, monkey puzzle trees, bamboo, ferns, banana trees, hydrangeas and a beech maze."

"The Burren's wildflowers are the inspiration for the subtle scents at this wonderful perfumery and floral centre, which creates scented items such as perfumes, candles and soaps that are beautifully packaged in handmade paper. A 10-minute audiovisual presentation details the area's diverse flora, including many fragrant orchids that grow between the rocks. You're free to wander its flower and herb gardens, which provide ingredients for dishes and herbal teas served at its tearoom."