Ballyvaughan

Ballyvaughan (Baile Uí Bheacháin, "town of Ó Beachán") is a small village in County Clare, overlooking Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland. It's a good base for exploring The Burren region.

Understand

 * Discover Ballyvaughan website

Get in
The main road is N67, which branches off M18 at Ennis and loops north through Ennistymon and Lisdoonvarna to  then via Kinvarra to Galway.

A slow scenic route is along the cliff tops, northwards branching off N67 at Ennistymon for Lahinch, Liscannor, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin and Fanore to Ballyvaughan.

Bus 350 follows that slow route from Galway six times a day via Kinvarra, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin village and pier, Cliffs of Moher, Liscannor, Lahinch, Ennistymon, Corofin and Inagh to Ennis. This means that by bus or train from Dublin, it's quicker to head for Galway then take the 350 south, than to come via Limerick and Ennis and take the bus north.

Get around


The village is small, but you need wheels to reach the surrounding sights.

See

 * Ballyvaughan village and harbour are picturesque.
 * puts on occasional exhibitions of student work. They're 2 km south of the village at Newtown Castle.
 * is the ruin of an early 13th century Cistercian monastery. The Romanesque church is roofless but otherwise in good condition, with fine carvings. There is the tomb of Conor O'Brien, King of Thomond, plus a neoclassical tomb of 18th or 19th century.
 * Oughtmama is a quiet lane heading into the hills southeast of the abbey, on the boundary with County Galway. There are three ruined early medieval churches, various cairns and cahirs, and the scraps of Turlough and Finvarra castles. Walk up Turlough Hill for views and the remains of a hill fort.
 * , just across the boundary in County Galway, is a 16th century tower house. It's primarily an upscale events venue but is sometimes open to tour.
 * , also in County Galway, is a monastery with one of the finest round towers in Ireland, 34.5 m tall.
 * was built circa 2000-3000 BC. A fabulous gold torque was found here, dated to 700 BC; it's now in the National Museum in Dublin.
 * was built circa 2000-3000 BC. A fabulous gold torque was found here, dated to 700 BC; it's now in the National Museum in Dublin.
 * is one of the most impressive in Ireland. Three portal stones support a massive capstone - originally they would all have been covered by an earth mound. The remains of 33 adults were found here, dating to 3200-3800 BC. Burial objects (now in Ennis museum) suggest they were high-ranking but their bones indicate a life of hard toil and death before age 40. Open 24 hours, free.
 * (An Carn) is a tiny settlement in the wilds of the Burren, best known for its perfumery. The area is dotted with dolmens. 3 km south is the stone fort of Cahercommaun, inhabited in the 8th and 9th centuries.
 * is a gaunt ruin along R476 the lane between Corofin and Kilfenora. It's unsafe to enter and on private land, so just admire the facade from the lane.
 * has a lighthouse amidst the fractured limestone ground. You'll need a map, compass and stout boots to make your way uphill to Cathair Dhun Iorais Iron Age ring fort. You can continue 1.5 km to the summit of Dobhach Bhrainin (318 m), but beware that the sea mist can roll in at any moment, there's no clear trail on the rocky ground, and there are some sheer edges below you.
 * is a sandy beach with Atlantic surf.
 * is a sandy beach with Atlantic surf.

Do

 * Change to low gear for Corkscrew Hill, the hairpin gradient on N67, six km south of Ballyvaughan.

Buy

 * Ballyvaughan Farmer's Market is open Saturdays May-Oct 10AM-2PM.
 * There are a couple of craft shops in the village, plus a pharmacy, a petrol station and a small supermarket.
 * Burren Perfumery in Carran produces scents from local wild flowers. The shop is open Oct-Apr 10AM-5PM, May Jun Sep to 6PM, Jul Aug to 7PM. The tearoom is open April-Oct.

Eat

 * Soda Parlour on Main St does light bites F-W 9:30AM-5PM.
 * There's upscale dining at Hylands Hotel and at Gregans Castle Hotel, see "Sleep".
 * There's upscale dining at Hylands Hotel and at Gregans Castle Hotel, see "Sleep".
 * There's upscale dining at Hylands Hotel and at Gregans Castle Hotel, see "Sleep".

Drink

 * Greene's Bar is in village centre.
 * Greene's Bar is in village centre.

Sleep

 * There's a string of small B&Bs and hotels with a km or so of the village, eg Burren Atlantic, The Creggs, Meadowfield and Hazelwood Lodge.
 * There's a string of small B&Bs and hotels with a km or so of the village, eg Burren Atlantic, The Creggs, Meadowfield and Hazelwood Lodge.

Connect
As of July 2020, there's a good mobile signal in Ballyvaughan from all Irish carriers, but only Three supports 4G. 5G has not yet reached this area.

Go next

 * Kilfenora inland has an odd-looking cathedral with High Crosses. Look up your Irish ancestors at nearby Corofin.
 * Doolin south along the coast has the Cliffs of Moher, caves and boat trips to the Aran Islands.
 * Galway across the bay is a lively little city.