Latest Reviews for Co Clare

We booked this accommodation through a Leisurebreaks offer. The deal was pay £20 for three nights for two people and buy breakfast and dinner each day in the hotel. Our first impression of the hotel was that it was very cozy as there was a peat fire burning in the receiption area. Part of the hotel is an old coaching house. Both check in and check out were quick and efficient. The room we were allocated was overlooking the private car park at the back so it was quiet. The room and bathroom were both of good size and kept very clean throughout our stay. There were all the usual facilities in our room - kettle, trouser press, hair dryer, TV, toiletries etc. If we had one negative comment to make it would be that the room was quite cold sometimes. The breakfast at the hotel is great - 10 euro a head (8 euro on Sat for some reason). It consisted of croissants, home made scones, selection of cereal and juice, fresh fruit salad, cheeses and sliced meats, pan au chocolate, full Irish brekkie and as much toast as you can eat. The bar menu for the evenings was extensive. Starters inc. soup, brie, salads, fish and mains inc. steaks, sandwiches, fish, pasta. For two courses with a bottle of wine it was about 65 - 70 euro. The restaurant was excellent and brill value - 35 euro a head for four courses but not as extensive a menu. Starters inc. terrine, soup, salads and mains pork, steak, lamb, fish. The mud cake, homemade blackberry and apple pie and profiteroles are gorgeous for dessert! However, if you were vegetarian, I think the choice was quite limited. Saturday night in the hotel was disco and cocktail night - beware the cocktails, very strong - 7 euro each. We were disappointed that there was no traditional Irish music in this hotel but if you check their website, there is quite a list of entertainment for the next few weeks so perhaps we were there in a lull. Ballyvaughan village is very quiet - 3 other pubs, 3 craft shops, a coffee shop and a supermarket and that's about it. The coffee shop (Soda Bar?) does excellent lattes and crepes. Ballyvaughan is hauntingly beautiful however as its bang in the middle of the Burren area which is a bit like a lunar landscape. Monks Pub at the end of the pier is nice and seemed popular for food with both locals and visitors - sit outside with your drinks weather permitting and try O'Briens also for entertainment and food, again very popular with locals and visitors alike. We were glad we stayed from Thur - Sun because there is plenty to see. We visited Clifts of Moher, Aillwee Cave, Ennis and Lisdoonvarna areas, Kinvarra and Galway city. Would we stay at this hotel again? The answer is yes but on a B and B basis only to try the other pubs in the area for food. However, with this offer we saved between 150 - 200 euro. The staff at the hotel are friendly, efficient and helpful but don't be suprised if the receiptionist is serving you drinks in the evening or your breakfast the next morning!!

Having had some bad experiences before in Ireland, our hopes weren't exactly high before arriving at Lough Derg holiday centre. Our hopes were raised as we drove through the beautiful village of Killaloe, which nestles along the shores of Lough Derg. Maybe the good weather enhanced the senses a little, but I honestly don't think I've ever driven through such a beautiful area.

When we got to the holiday park itself, which is just a few miles outside of Killaloe, our hopes raised even further as we took in the beautiful setting.

The park has an area for touring caravans, but we were staying in one of the recently built Marina Walk Houses. The facilities in the houses were exceptional (the best we've ever experienced anywhere) and the reception and greeting we received from the staff at the centre was just as you'd expect an Irish welcome to be.

Lough Derg holiday centre is a brilliant touring base if you're keen to see what the West of Ireland has to offer. We visted a number of local tourist spots including the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Perhaps the beaches aren't quite up to the standard of those in Pembrokeshire but, hey, you can't have everything!

Our kids loved playing in the small on-site beach and it was clear from the large number of boats in the area that the fishing is excellent. There's also lots of opprtunities to try out some watersports as equipment and boats can be hired at the park.

It's difficult to find anything derogatory to say about the park itself or the people who run it so efficiently. If I had to say something, it would be a suggestion that some of the kids' facilities on sie could be updated or improved a little. However, our kids had a wonderful holiday, and the many other kids who were there at the time seemed as if they did too. Needless to say they want to come back next year and, for once, I will not disagree with them.