Kilkee Tourist Attractions
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The attractive family holiday resort of Kilkee (Cill Chaoidhe, "Church of St Chaoidhe") lies in the west of Ireland on a semicircular bay sheltered from the Atlantic by the Duggerna Rocks.
Lookout Hill
From Kilkee a road to the west passes the Duggerna Rocks, with bench-like rock formations (open-air concerts) and comes to Lookout Hill, 200ft/60m above the sea, from which in clear weather there are beautiful far ranging views (care required on the edge of the cliffs).
Surroundings
The surroundings of Kilkee have many interesting sights.
Kilrush
Southeast of Kilkee lies the little market town of Kilrush. It has a harbor 2mi/3km south at the Shannon estuary; this has recently been enlarged and modernized and offers good berths and supply facilities for yachts (which can also be chartered here).The Heritage Center in the Town Hall has as its motto: " Kilrush in Landlord Times" (opening times given).
Scattery Island
From Kilrush a boat can be hired to Scattery Island, on which are the ruins of a sixth century monastery (National Monument) founded by St Senan. The round tower, one of the tallest in Ireland (115ft/35m), can be seen from some way off; it is unusual in having the entrance at ground level. To the east is the "Cathedral," to the north a 12th C. Romanesque church, to the southeast an early church with medieval additions. In the vicinity are other ecclesiastical buildings. The monastery was a place of great importance in the 14th and 15th C. but was destroyed in the reign of Elizabeth I.Newly built boats, when first launched, used to sail around the island "with the sun," and pebbles from Scattery carried in a ship were believed to protect it from shipwreck.
Scattery Island Centre
This information center on the mainland explains Scattery Island and its monastery. The monastery - a round tower and several churches - was founded by St Senan in the early sixth century. The information center at Kilrush has an exhibition on the history of these monuments and the wildlife of the area.
Killimer
The N67 comes to an end 5mi/8km southeast of Kilrush at Killimer, from which there is a car ferry across the Shannon Estuary to Tarbert. When traveling south, this saves a detour of some 55mi/89km round the estuaries of the Fergus and the Shannon. Hourly departures in both directions (at the half-hour from Killimer, on the hour from Tarbert).
Fooagh Point
There is a very pleasant run from Kilkee on a minor road southwest along the coast to Fooagh, once a small spa (chalybeate spring), and Fooagh Point, with a holy well and magnificent rock scenery (tunnels, caves, cliffs), and across the peninsula to Carrigaholt.
Carrigaholt
There is a very pleasant run from Kilkee to Fooagh and then to Fooagh Point and across the peninsula to Carrigaholt. Above the harbor are the fine ruins of a tall, narrow tower house (15th C.: National Monument), in a well-preserved outer ward; the turret facing towards the pier is modern. There is an Irish language college in the village.
Loop Head
A beautiful road leads southwest from Carrigaholt to Kilbaha, from which it is 2.5mi/4km to Loop Head (lighthouse). Off the point is an isolated section of cliff known as Diarmaid and Grainne's Rock. Breathtaking views.
