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Shannon Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Shannon

Shannon is the second largest town in County Clare and is the only ‘created’ town in Ireland. Established in the 1960s, Shannon is infamous for having the world’s first duty-free airport and is an important industrial region. Many visitors come to Shannon to enjoy nearby castles and estates as well as its natural beauty, evident at the Cliffs of Moher. Shannon International Airport is a major gateway between the east coast of the US and Ireland.

Flights to Shannon
Built in the 1930s, Shannon International Airport has become and important hub for travel between Ireland and Europe, as well travel to the United States. There are direct flights to most major European cities from Shannon as well as to cities in the US, such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and Philadelphia. The city centre can be reached via Citylink bus or by taxi.

To get around the city, most areas can be explored on foot, otherwise buses and taxis are on hand to reach places farther a field. However, many visitors end up hiring a car, with driving being the best way to explore the areas around Shannon. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Shannon try lastminute.com.

Shannon ireland


Sightseeing in Shannon
Shannon and its outlying areas offer a plethora of attractions for visitors. Everything from parks, farms, and boat trips, to castles, caves, and museums are on offer. There are numerous castles in the area, such as Carrigogunnell, Laemaneh and Farney. However, the most popular castle is probably King John’s Castle, situated right on the River Shannon in Limerick. This castle is over 800 years old and is a great place for kids to explore and for adults to marvel at paintings and excavations.

For something different, visit the Aillwee Caves near Ballyvaughan. These spectacular caves have been created by thousands of years of rain and water flow and are great places to explore underground tunnels. The caves are open between March and November. On the coast, there are many water-related activities to be enjoyed. An unusual but rewarding activity is to take a boat tour to see the dolphins that inhabit the waters.

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Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Think Ireland and you think pubs and a pint of Guiness! Shannon is full of pubs, with many boasting live music. Here you can experience the real traditional Irish pub life, even if smoking has now been banned. For trendy nightclubs, most locals go to nearby Limerick or Ennis where there are more vibrant nightlife scenes.

For something more unusual, head to one of the banquets that are served up by the castles in and around Shannon. The most well-known is Kanppogue Castle in Quin, which holds banquets or feasts with live music, dancing and entertainment. The nearby Bunratty Folk Park also hosts evening entertainment during the summer months.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
The main shopping mall in Shannon is the Sky Court Shannon where almost any item can be found. For more local shopping, try the Ballycasey Craft Centre which promotes Irish crafts and design. Here you will find unique souvenirs to take home. In town, there is also a Farmers’ Market (closed during the winter season) where local produce, baked goods, handicrafts and plants are sold.


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