Dawn’s Shannon Region Diary
Follow Dawn’s diary as she explains all that The Shannon Region has to offer. Due to Dawn been born and raised here, she knows all the highlight areas of which there are many to visit and explore but more importantly it is her want to not only share this to ensure her guests get the best out of their stay but to inform them of the many hidden gems. Her decision to write this diary is due to the fact you could easily spend two weeks in this one spot seeing something uniquely Irish, beautiful and spectacular every day so by breaking up this information and giving a locals perspective she hopes you will make the most out of your holiday time.
“I see so many people rushing through to see the Cliffs of Moher for example and hurrying onto the next county’s highlight that really they actually end up missing the real Ireland. You need to slow down to really see what you have come to Ireland to see. It’s the backroads, it’s the ordinary that make Ireland Ireland”
A day of pampering – you are on holiday after all!
Most of my guests are all go from morning to night and sometimes I would like to remind them to slow it down. I know what my husband will say when he reads this. “ You are one to talk” because every time I’m on holiday I am that person wanting to see everything and...
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Nearby walks that you have to drive to:
As always I will start with my favourite . Dromoland Castle Grounds It is only a 9 km drive to Dromoland where you can park your car for free and walk the grounds. It is where we take the kids all the time as it is full of happy memories for me growing up. The walk is...
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Sunset at the Cliffs of Moher
My suggestion is to view the famous Cliffs of Moher by sunset. It is only 1 hour from Balally House to the Cliffs. They are far less crowded and a great way to end your journey before flying out of Shannon. Or indeed a great way to start your journey. Fly into...
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Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
This is such a great day out for the whole family. It really is worth seeing especially if travelling with children. My daughter pictured above saying "hi" to the resident goat. It is a stunning recreation of 19th Century Irish life featuring over 30 buildings...
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Dysert O’Dea Heritage Walking Trail
If you want to simply stretch your legs and soak up lots of Irish history in a short walk then this is the walk for you. I recommend you bring your walking boots. It is 20 km from Balally House. It is located at the gateway to the Burren Region, 5kms south of Corofin,...
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Walks Direct From Our Door
Shannon River Walk Turn left out of our gate. Take the next left turn and go straight through to the park. Cross the park on the paths leading right which will take you past St Aidans National School (you will see a small playground here). Turn left through an...
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Nearby Walks: The Three Bridges walking route in Limerick
Drive or take the bus 16 km to Limerick from Balally House. The walk basically follows the banks of the river Shannon in the city centre and you will cross two of the three bridges, which span the river. The older bridges Thomond and Sarsfield bridges are pretty...
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Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Ennis
13 - 21 August 2017 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the most important event in the traditional music calendar. For many, it is the culmination of months of hard work and practice as they compete against fellow musicians, singers and dancers to achieve the recognition of...
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A fun night out at the Bunratty Castle Banquet
Holidays are all about experiencing something different to home this is why for my second blog I highly recommend Ireland's world famous Bunratty Castle Banquet. It is only 4km from Balally House and I recommend it as everyone that I know who has attended have really...
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Loop Head Route
Hello there, I am excited to be writing my first blog on our new Balally House website. My husband and I started this new venture in May 2015. It was a complete new chapter in our lives. We had being living in Dublin with our two year old daughter and decided to move...
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