doorus house kinvara co. galway tel 091 637512 e-mail: doorushouse@kinvara.com
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doorus house kinvara co. galway tel 091 637512 e-mail: doorushouse@kinvara.com |
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You can make a full week's holiday at Doorus House with the variety of things to do and sights to see all
within miles of Doorus House.
It is estimated that 70% of Ireland's 900 native species can be spotted in the Burren. It is about the only place on earth where Mediterranean plants grow side by side with alpine plants. There is fantastic walking anytime of the year, but in spring when the wildflowers are blooming, it's spectacular. The Burren also contains long monastic and pre-Celtic history with famous burial mounds, ringforts and the Dolmen (a burial tomb). Kinvara village Well known for the great Irish traditional music that can be found at one of the 11 pubs on almost any night throughout the year. Every year Kinvara is host to two famous music festivals: May Bank holiday weekend is the Fleadh na gCuach or Cuckoo Fleadh (festival) celebrating the return of the cuckoo bird to the area and then in August the Cruinniu na mBad (Gathering of the Boats) which features the history of the Hooker boats which were the lifeblood of the west coast of Ireland transporting food, turf for fuel and other goods. Many of the 100 year-old boats converge on the little harbour and quay in Kinvara for races including who can unload their load of turf onto the dock the fastest. Music found all day in all the pubs of the village for both events. Picturesque setting at the foot of Galway Bay.
Literary sights Coole Park, home of Lady Gregory and Thoor Ballylee, home of W.B. Yeats are just 15 minutes drive from Doorus House. These two met at Doorus House in 1897 and established the idea of the Irish National Theatre which became the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, created to feature only Irish based and Irish written works. Coole Park is also a wonderful wooded park with several kilometres of easy walking trails, a lake often filled with swans and a nice picnic area. Thoor Ballylee is open throughout the summer and has a good visitor centre and you can tour the tower. Coole Park has a great visitor centre with films about Lady Gregory and the natural history of the area. The centre is open from Easter through September and An Óige/Hostelling International members receive a discounted entrance fee on production of their membership cards. The park is open year round. Aran Islands These are located off the coast and can be reached by ferry from Doolin or Rossaveal which is west of Galway city. The main island, Inis Mor, can be easily toured in a day with an early ferry out and taking the last ferry back in the evening. Great historical landmarks include the fantastic stone fort of Dun Aengus, consisting of three irregular semicircles, each a line of defense. What is this structure doing in this place? When was it built? Who built it? Archeologists, historians, antiquarians have no definitive answers to these and other questions about Dun Aengus! This is a fort with no water supply or evidence of dwellings, hardly suited for a long siege. Estimates on its time of construction range from a few centuries B.C. to the eighth or ninth century. To get to the Aran Islands, go to www.aranislandferries.com and avail of your 10% discount with your membership card! Dun Aenghus is also discounted with your card. Cliffs of Moher These are the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Spring is great for birdwatchers as hundreds of thousands of seabirds nest on the rugged cliff face. A new visitor centre has just been constructed, and the cliffs are accessible by Bus Eireann. Located about one hour south of Doorus House and can be seen as part of a day tour of the Burren.
Monastic sights Following the long religious history of the area, Kilmacduagh is about 15 minutes away and comprises of seven different churches, one being a cathedral. Founded by St. Colman on of the three famous saints of Ireland, (St. Patrick and St. Brigid being the other two) it features one of the finest intact round towers in all of Ireland. Access inside the buildings can be obtained by securing a key from the B&B across the road from the sight...a small deposit is required to secure this key. This can be viewed as part of a day tour including Coole Park and Thoor Ballylee. Also nearby (about 15 minutes by car) is the the beautiful Corcomroe Abbey located in the Burren, featuring incredible decorative carved stonework of flowers and faces. Farther up in the Burren is the village of Kilfenora which has a tremendous interpretive centre of both the Burren's natural history as well as religous history featuring some priceless carved high crosses. Avail of student rate entrance in the Burren Centre on production of a valid An Óige / Hostelling International membership card. Galway city Incredibly vibrant city easily walked as it's a compact, bustling place. Pedestrian only main shopping street with sidewalk pubs and restaurants. Cinemas, live theatre, music, art galleries, historical sights, the river Corrib and much more...a nice way to spend a day and easily done from Doorus House via Bus Eireann or private car. It is 30 kms north of the hostel.
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