Why Shannon Should Be On Your Ireland Trip Itinerary
Shannon is a town on the Shannon River, from which it gets its name, in County Clare, Ireland.
It’s a relatively new town, founded only in the 1960s, but it’s in a countryside dotted with medieval castles and picturesque villages. Shannon is the kind of place to visit to get the true feeling of Ireland, as it’s been for millennia.
As you wander through the town and its surroundings, you’ll overhear a litany of Irish ballads and stories told just in the background.
The town’s atmosphere is steeped in tradition, within a region that’s a product of a long, rich, and undisturbed history.
Things to Do in Shannon, Ireland
For the purest sense of the region’s history, take a trip over to Bunratty Castle, just a quick drive from Shannon. It is a 15th Century tower house castle that’s surrounded by the Bunratty folk park. While famous for its medieval banquets, the castle and park are fully open to the public, which has made it a major tourist attraction in the region.
Bunratty Castle is the most complete medieval fortress in the country, and has roots in an old Viking camp built 500 years before the current structure. The castle in and of itself will take you back to the bygone medieval age with its vast stone walls, stained glass, and steep, spiral staircases. In addition, it’s still complete with 16th century furnishings, like tapestries and medieval art. Take a trek through the dungeons, and if you time it right, you might find yourself at one of its famed medieval-style banquets.
The Bunratty Folk Park then gives a glimpse into the normal life of an agrarian Irishman. The park is basically a living and breathing museum made out of a farm town, and one that feels like you’re a thousand years back in time. Get a glimpse of life in the slower age, and enjoy a nice walk through history.
When you’re done with your stroll, have dinner at one of Shannon’s old pubs. Durty Nelly’s, one of these pubs, dates back to the 1600s and has been serving patrons food and Guinness for literally hundreds of years. A meal there is one of the most authentic experiences of Ireland’s longstanding way of life, and it’s something that is recommended to every tourist who passes through the fine city of Shannon.
Destinations Near Shannon Worth Visiting
But if you need a break from the quaint medieval charm, take a day trip out to Galway on the coast road. Not only will the road give you a lot of wonderful sites, the city is a cultural touchstone on the western coast.
It’s a lively town, known for its music and “craic,” or fun conversation. It’s a great place to go with friends, or a great place to make a few. Spend a day at Eyre Square, in the town’s center, to visit both old and modern shops. The square has a monument to American President, John F. Kennedy, as well as a monument to the Irish language poet Pádraic O’Conaire, shown seated dramatically on a rock.
Galway is a great place to go for shopping, dining, or just exploring. Aside from the square, you can check out Galway Cathedral (pictured), Lynch’s castle, which is now a bank, or you can take a cruise along the River Corrib on the Corrib Princess.
