Find cheap flights to Shannon from $291.95*

Shannon is the perfect base for exploring the south-west of Ireland with so much to see and do nearby.

Limerick City. Limerick city has seen a rejuvenation over the past few years and is a great tourist destination. Everything in the city is within walking distance. A popular ‘must-see’ is St John’s Castle is one of the most impressive medieval castles in Ireland. Dating back to 922AD and the time of the Vikings, the visitor centre uses 21^st century technology to immerse you back in time and help you get a feel for what life was like for the castle’s inhabitants.

The Limerick Greenway is a 40km track built on an old railway line and goes from Limerick to Tralee. It takes approximately three and a half hours to cycle and up to ten hours to walk, depending on your pace. If you don’t want to complete the full distance you can join at several places like Rathkeale or Abbeyfeale. The beauty of the greenways is that you get to see parts of the Irish countryside that most people never get to see. Even among the locals it is one of the most popular activities as its suitable for all the family and suitable for people of all physical abilities.

West Clare: This part of Clare encapsulates the essence of the Ireland’s rugged western shoreline buffeted and battered by the wild Atlantic Ocean over millennia. In this part of Clare you’ll find the Burren, a unique place of outstanding wild natural beauty. Its diverse fauna contains over 70% of Ireland's native flowers. It is the only place in the world where arctic, alpine and mediterranean plants can co-exist due its particular micro-climate. In conjunction with the stunning Cliffs of Moher, the Burren has been identified as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The Burren National Park contains various marked trails, entry is free, and a free bus service is available from May-August.

A drive along West Clare will take in many of its charming villages such as Doolin, according to many the true home of Irish music. Visit the famous Gus O’Connors pub which has informal music sessions and can be great fun.

The Ring of Kerry

County Kerry (the ‘Kingdom’ to locals) is one of the most popular places to visit in Ireland. The Ring of Kerry is a 112 miles drive around one of Kerry’s main peninsulas, the Iveragh Peninsula. The drive is mainly a coastal one and it overlaps the famous Wild Atlantic Way.Passing through quaint Irish villages where a friendly welcome always awaits, it gives stunning views of mountains, lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Along the Skellig Road you can see the Skellig Michael island which houses the famous 7th-century monastery. The island was used as a set for two Star Wars movies – The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi which has only added to the island’s mystique. Visits to the island are possible during the summer months (weather permitting) but make sure to book ahead as numbers are limited to protect the integrity of the island and the monastery.

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