East Clare & Lough Derg

East Clare is traditional music heartland - home to the villages where Irish music never stopped playing. This route combines the music heritage with Lough Derg's peaceful shore and the pretty towns of the Shannon's great lake.

Why This Route?

East Clare offers culture and calm:

• Traditional music - Heartland of Irish music
• Lough Derg - Shannon's great lake
• Holy Island - Monastic ruins by boat
• Pretty villages - Mountshannon, Killaloe, Scarriff
• Peaceful pace - Away from tourist crowds

Where to Stay

This 91km day trip circles the music villages and Lough Derg shoreline of East Clare, starting at Killaloe and passing through Scarriff, Mountshannon, and Tuamgraney. Ennis is the county town and appears at both the beginning and end of the route description as the natural staging point. With the best facilities in Clare and traditional music sessions most nights, it is the practical single base for this drive.

Ennis

Ennis anchors the western end of the route and has by far the widest choice of places to stay in the county. From here, Killaloe is about 40 minutes southeast, and you can loop through Tulla, Feakle, Scarriff, Mountshannon, and back via Broadford in a comfortable day. The town's own music pubs make a fitting end to an evening after exploring East Clare's session heartland.

The Route

Ennis

Clare's county town:

The Town

Medieval street pattern:

• Traditional music pubs
• Clare Museum
• Franciscan Friary
• Saturday market

Music

Ennis is a centre for traditional music:

• Sessions most nights
• Custy's music shop
• Fleadh Nua festival (May)

Tulla

Small village with big music reputation:

• Tulla Céilí Band (legendary)
• Music school
• Traditional character

Feakle

The heart of East Clare music:

• Pepper's Bar (sessions)
• Feakle Festival (August)
• Lough Graney nearby

Scarriff

Market town on the Graney River:

• Good facilities
• Access to Lough Derg
• Traditional character

Tuamgraney

Ancient church site:

• Oldest church in continuous use in Ireland
• Brian Boru connection
• East Clare Heritage Centre
• 10th-century doorway

Mountshannon

Beautiful village on Lough Derg:

The Village

Award-winning heritage village:

• Harbour
• Craft shops
• Good restaurants
• Quiet atmosphere

Holy Island (Inis Cealtra)

Boat trips to monastic island:

• Round tower
• Five churches
• High crosses
• Viking graveyard

Killaloe

Twin town with Ballina (Tipperary side):

Killaloe

Clare's side:

• St Flannan's Cathedral
• Brian Boru heritage centre
• River activities
• Historic bridge

Ballina

The Tipperary twin:

• Restaurants and pubs
• River walks
• Marina

Return via Broadford

Through quiet countryside to Ennis.

Traditional Music

The Tradition

East Clare kept the music alive when it faded elsewhere:

• Tulla Céilí Band (1946)
• Willie Clancy influence
• Living tradition

Sessions

• Feakle - Pepper's Bar
• Ennis - Multiple venues
• Tulla - Local pubs
• Sessions usually start after 9pm

Festivals

• Feakle Festival - August
• Fleadh Nua - Ennis, May

Holy Island

Getting There

• Boats from Mountshannon (seasonal)
• Book in advance
• Weather dependent

What's There

• Round tower (24m)
• Church ruins (5 churches)
• High crosses
• Saints' graveyard
• Romantic ruins

History

Founded 7th century, flourished until Viking raids. Brian Boru's brother is buried here.

Walking

Lough Derg Way

Long-distance trail along the lakeshore.

Raheen Wood

Nature reserve near Tuamgraney.

Killaloe Heritage Trail

Town walk with history.

Practical Tips

1. Holy Island - Book boat trips in advance
2. Music sessions - Informal; respect the musicians
3. Feakle Festival - Book accommodation early
4. Mountshannon - Limited parking in village
5. Bridge - Killaloe-Ballina bridge can be busy

Before You Drive This Route

The East Clare & Lough Derg is 91km and about 2 hours of driving, though 1 day is the honest figure once you factor in the stops. Visitors who have never driven on the left should start with driving on the left in Ireland; the Irish roundabout rules guide covers the other thing that catches people out. For what a trip like this costs in 2026, from fuel to beds, see the budget guide. Automatic or manual is the decision that catches most visitors out — manual versus automatic has the honest answer for Irish roads. More drives in the same corner of the country are on the County Clare page, and the Galway Bay & Burren Edge pairs naturally with this one.