19 Unique Road Trip Ideas in Co. Clare | Ollie’s Tours

If you are planning a trip to Co. Clare this Summer, I promise, you will love this blog!

Here is a list of 19 personal recommendations of things to do in Clare this Summer. From tours, golfing, surfing and foodie experiences, this blog has it all. Enjoy!

Best of Ennis Walking Tour

Discover Medieval Ennis with Ollie and his team of amazing guides. Yes, you could explore Ennis by yourself but you WILL miss out on so much. You can make your trip fun and memorable with Ollie’s Tours as well as gain historical and cultural knowledge. The tour is 1 hour 15 mins long and is sure to have you and your road trip companions laughing through the Medieval streets of Ennis. Click here to book!
Explore Ballyalla Lake On A Kayak Or Stand Up Paddle Board

Ballyalla Lake is just 5 mins from Ennis town centre. A quick spin out there and you will meet Alan, ready to introduce you to the world of Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Alan from Clare Water Sports will be at Ballyalla Lake every day throughout July & August, so pop down and explore the lake.
Castle Fergus Horseriding

10 Minutes outside of Ennis is a village called Quin where you can visit the friendly people at Castle Fergus Horseriding. It does not matter if you a pro racer or have never seen a horse before, they cater for all levels. Click here to get in contact!
Ireland’s Only Exclusive Sourdough Bakery

Nestled beautifully inside an Ennis neighbourhood, just a 5-minute walk from the main streets of Ennis is Sourdo’Farrell’s Bakery. Keith O’ Farrell began making sourdough bread as a means to survive in 2020 and has since opened his own exclusive sourdough bakery in his hometown of Ennis. His popularity grew quicker than anticipated and people now travel from far and wide just to try some of his delicious sourdough treats and pastries. Top Tip: Come early if you can!
Willow’s Gentleman’s Corner

This is a personal favourite of mine. Ennis is known as the Boutique Capital of Ireland meaning there are lots of world-class independent boutiques. Women love to visit Ennis and of course, “shop til they drop!” But what about the husbands, boyfriends and partners who have no interest in such activities? Fear not, Willow have a designated Gentleman’s corner in their store. Kick back, relax and let your better half enjoy her shopping experience while you drink a complimentary beer and play on an iPad!
Durty Nelly’s Outdoor Garden

Durty Nelly’s is well known all around the world. They have a big reputation for being one of the ‘must do’ pubs in Ireland and so when the pandemic hit, they really upped their outdoor game. I highly recommend you visit Durty Nelly’s to check out their awesome outdoor dining area.
Discover The Fiddle + Bow Meadow

Located in the heart of Doolin are the Fiddle + Bow Collection and as part of their new outdoor experience, they have created a beautiful meadow. This is actually where my Doolin tours begin and it’s a fantastic place to grab some brunch or even just a coffee! Follow them on Instagram for their captivating stories!
Golf. Spa. Pints. At Hotel Woodstock

Seán and Elaine Lally run a tight ship at Hotel Woodstock. They have hospitality down to a tee! Speaking of tee, I highly recommend heading to Hotel Woodstock for a 4 ball at their award-winning golf course. You can thank me when you reach hole number 7. That will really test your golfing ability. Retreat afterwards to the hotel for a dip in the jacuzzi and some top-class food and drink. PS: Follow Hotel Woodstock on Instagram for some quality entertainment. Click here to follow!
Tour The Cliffs Of Moher From Doolin With An Expert Guide!

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most visited attractions. However, most people that visit actually don’t get the full experience. By joining me on my Doolin Cliffwalk tour, I show you some of the most amazing instagrammable spots. You will see the Cliffs of Moher in a way that most people will never see. Not to mention the stories you will hear along the way. You simply have to try this tour out! Click here to book.
Meet the Makers on the Doolin Food Tour

I created the Doolin Food Tour because I wanted to showcase the amazing Foodie scene here on the west coast of Clare. This is the PERFECT group experience for anyone interested in food. On this tour, you will have exclusive access to visitor attractions, meet local producers and of course, eat and drink lots of delicious local produce. Click here to book or check out this video for more:
Park & Sail at Doolin Pier

The Aran Islands are made up of 3 Islands. Inis Oirr, Inis Meain and Inis Mór. A great road trip idea would be to park your car at Doolin Pier and sail across to the Island’s for a day or even stay the night. A personal recommendation would be to bring a tent and pitch up beside the beach on Inis Oirr. You can sail over with Dooli2Aran Ferries or the Doolin Ferry Company.
Drink Tea with the Dutch in the Burren

The Lough Avalla Farm loop is a little hidden gem in Co. Clare. Hidden away in the Burren is an amazing hike that takes you through fairy enchanted forests and over limestone cracked turloughs. The walk finishes at Harry’s house, a dutchman who now calls the Burren home. He and his family offer complimentary tea, coffee and apple tart to all visitors.
Learn To Surf With Lahinch Surf Hostel

If you are looking for the perfect seaside hostel, look no further than Lahinch Surf Hostel. Your hosts, Ian and Emily will make your stay memorable by bringing you on a surf adventure. It really doesn’t matter if you have surfed before, in fact, it’s nearly better if you haven’t! Ian and Emily spend their lives in the water and will take great care of you!
Hike Moylussa

On the Border of Clare and Tipperary is a small village called Killaloe. It’s centred around the large lough Dearg and overlooked by County Clare’s tallest mountain. This is a beautiful hike and will take anywhere between 2.5- 4 hours to complete depending on fitness levels. Local Tip: DO NOT TRUST GOOGLE MAPS TO GET YOU THERE. Type in Ballycuggaran Forest Car Park instead. I just saved you two hours of getting lost down small country roads. You are welcome!
Picnic In Style At The Cliffs Of Moher

Particularly this year, outdoor dining is the way things are looking. If you have nice weather, visit the Cliffs of Moher at sunset and open up a picnic. Bring your own or order one from Grá Picnics. You will not be disappointed.

Cliffs of Moher | Photo Credit @GRÁPICNICS
Kick Bishop Brennan Up The Arse At Father Ted’s House

If you have ever watched Father Ted, a visit to the iconic Fater Ted House needs to be added to any road trip bucket list. Even if it’s just to stand outside and get that golden photo. This house is just 25 mins from Ennis or 35 mins from Doolin.
Dive Into The Atlantic With Snámhaí Sásta

For the past few years, there has been a small swimming group called Snámhaí Sásta who meet daily for a morning dip at Spanish Point. The group has grown and gained popularity and is now known all around Ireland. Join them some morning or follow them here on Instagram!
Lobster 2 Go

Julia’s Lobster Truck is one of Clare’s finest restaurant on wheels. Fresh to order lobster in lots of different locations every week. Click here to follow her on Instagram to find out where she is next!
Get Married At The Cliffs Of Moher

Okay, so maybe this one isn’t something you just plan last minute but it’s definitely worth thinking about. Particularly now with so many restrictions around weddings, it might be a nice idea to have a small intimate wedding at one of Ireland’s most scenic locations. Coastal Ceremonies have been doing an amazing job at Cliffs of Moher weddings for the year. Click here to find out more.