Doolin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doolin
Dúlainn
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Village
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The Fisher Street area of Doolin
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 Doolin
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| County | County Clare |
| Elevation | 20 m (70 ft) |
| Irish Grid Reference | R066965 |
Doolin (Irish: Dúlainn) is a small village on the coast of County Clare, Ireland. It sits right on the Atlantic coast. The village is located southwest of the town of Lisdoonvarna. It is also about 4 miles away from the famous Cliffs of Moher.
Doolin is well-known for its traditional Irish music. Musicians play here every night in the local pubs. This makes Doolin a very popular place for tourists to visit. There are many old archaeological sites nearby. Some of these sites date back to the Iron Age and even earlier times. You can also find Doonagore Castle and Ballinalacken Castle in the area. Before the 1950s, Doolin was part of a "Gaeltacht" area. This means it was a community where people mainly spoke Irish. Doolin still has strong links to Irish-speaking areas today. This includes its boat connections to the Aran Islands.
Contents
What to See and Do in Doolin
Village Areas
Doolin is not like a typical village with one main center. Instead, it has several spread-out sections:
- The Harbour is where boats leave for the Aran Islands. You can also take a boat trip from here to see the Cliffs of Moher from the water. There is a campsite close by.
- Fisher Street has O'Connor's Pub. You will also find several shops and places to stay, like hostels.
- Fitz's Cross offers a hostel and a campsite. There are also two newer hotels and a pub that opened in 2006.
- Roadford is home to McGann's and McDermott's pubs. It also has four restaurants and several bed and breakfasts (B&Bs). Tours to Doolin Cave start from this area.
The Aille River flows from the hills of the Burren. It passes by Doolin before reaching the sea. A small piece of land called Crab Island is just off Doolin Harbour. It is mostly empty, except for the remains of an old police outpost from the early 1800s.
Doolin Cave
Doolin Cave is famous for its "Great Stalactite." This amazing rock formation is 7.3 meters (about 24 feet) long. It was first found in 1952. The Doolin Cave website says it is the largest stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere. To protect the cave, only 20 visitors are allowed on each tour.
Surfing in Doolin
Doolin is a popular spot for surfing. There is a special wave called 'Aill na Searrach' (meaning "Cliff of the Foals"). It forms just off the Cliffs of Moher and is known as Ireland's biggest wave. This wave was even shown in the movie Waveriders. Crab Island is another place where people go surfing in the area.
Rock Climbing
Doolin is a good base for people who want to go rock climbing. The main climbing area, Ailladie, is about an 8 km drive away. Doolin also has its own sea-cliff climbing spots. These cliffs are made of limestone. There are also smaller climbing areas inland in the Burren region.
Pubs and Music
Doolin has several pubs, including Fitzpatricks, Gus O'Connor's, McDermott's, and McGann's. These pubs are famous for their live traditional Irish music. The Micho Russell Festival Weekend is held here every year. It takes place after the last Friday in February.
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Fitz's Bar Doolin. Opened in 2006.
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Gus O'Connor's pub, opened in 1832.
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McDermott's pub, opened in 1867.
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McGann's pub, opened in 1976.
Dining Options
The restaurant called Homestead Cottage is in Doolin. It was given a special Michelin star award in 2023.
Getting Around Doolin
Ferry Services
Doolin is one of three places where you can catch a ferry to the Aran Islands. The islands can be seen from the village. Ferries also take tourists from Doolin Pier to the bottom of the Cliffs of Moher. There is also an Irish Coast Guard station located at Doolin Pier.
Bus Connections
Because Doolin is so close to the Cliffs of Moher, a bus service connects it to other towns. This bus travels between Galway and Ennis. It stops at both Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher in both directions. Bus Éireann route 350 links Doolin to many places. These include Ennis, Ennistymon, Cliffs of Moher, Lisdoonvarna, Fanore, Kinvara, and Galway. There are several bus trips each day. From Ennis and Galway, you can find more train and bus connections.
Roads to Doolin
Two main regional roads serve the village. The R479 connects Doolin to coastal areas north of it. It also links to Lisdoonvarna to the east. The R459 connects the village to the Cliffs of Moher. It also leads to the Burren Way and the ferry port for Inisheer.
Famous People from Doolin
Many musicians are connected to Doolin. They have either lived there or played music in its pubs. Some of these famous musicians include Micho Russell and his brothers Packie and Gussie. Other well-known artists are Sharon Shannon, Davy Spillane, and Steve Wickham from the band The Waterboys.
See also
In Spanish: Doolin para niños
