I recently spent a night at Helen’s in Ennistymon and it was lovely. Her double room was clean, light, modern and spacious with an on-suite bathroom, there was tea and coffee making facilities and parking space to the front, the back of her house overlooks the Inagh river and its famous ‘Falls’ and ‘Falls Hotel’.
Ennistymon is an old market town, established as such around 1795; however, it had established settlements as far back as medieval times. It is nestled by hills, a monistic ruin and the Inagh river runs through it, it’s colourful shop fronts, traditional music sessions and its magnificent ‘Falls ‘makes for a cosy little town. Although it is but a small town, throughout its history, it has produced its fair share of talent, from Brian Merriman 1747 to present day Steve and Joe Wall, Kathleen McNamara whose family owned Ennistymon House now known as ‘The Falls Hotel’ and wife to the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. The Hotels other claim to fame was that it was run by Brendan O’Regan in the 1940’s, Brendan was famous for establishing Shannon Airport duty free, the world’s 1st in and this year was named Clare’s Greatest Ever Person.
I love the fact that Ennistymon it is so central and is ideally situated as a gateway to so many iconic attractions: Lahinch is just a 3 Kilometres cycle or drive away with its long sandy beach, world class surfing and its golf course, which is hosting the ‘Irish Open’ in 2019 and is on the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’. Other attractions a stone’s throw from Ennistymon include;, the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, both world heritage sites, the Aran islands, Fr Ted’s house, Ballyvaughan and Liscannor famous for its slate, some of which is in the houses of Parliament in London. There is also Miltown Malbay and Doolin world famous for its music, if you haven’t been to either, you haven’t been to Ireland. Ennis is just a thirty minute drive away and Shannon Airport forty-five. If your heading wests don’t forget Helen’s as a viable option, her house is just over the bridge and it’s a straight run into Lahinch and beyond.