calguy2006

Will be in Ireland in just over a month's time. First visit and we did want to visit the 'Cliffs of Dooneen' as made famous in the song of the same name. Now I read on the Internet that no one knows what area the song refers to and maybe it's fiction or refers to the Cliffs of Moher!!! The song mentions Kilkee and Kilrush. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Jim

The Cliffs of Dooneen

You may travel far from your own native home
Far away o'er the mountains far away o'er the foam
But of all the fine places that I've ever been
There's none can compare with the cliffs of Dooneen
It's a nice place to be on a fine summer's day
Watching all the wild flowers that ne'er do decay
Oh the hare and the pheasant are plain to be seen
Making homes for their young round the cliffs of Dooneen
Take a view o'er the mountain fine sites you'll see there
Yes in a high rocky mountain in the west coast of Clare.
Oh the towns of Kilkee and Kilrush can be seen
From the high rocky slopes round the cliffs of Dooneen
So fare thee well to Dooneen fare thee well for a while
And although we are parted by the raging sea wild
Once again I will wander with my Irish colleen
Round the high rocky slopes of the cliffs of Dooneen

GreenDragon

I know the towns of Kilkee and Kilrush are not too far from the Cliffs of Moher - we were just there last month. They are both in the southwestern portion of County Clare, and on a clear day, I'm sure you could see to them.

Laoghaire

Hi...There is an Irish folk music group of that name from the Kilkee area. Could it be they are singing of the cliffs on Loop Head, which is just south of Kilkee...Helen

IrishEyes

The Cliffs of Dooneen are in Co. Kerry, across the mouth of the Shannon River from Kilrush and Kilkee. They are near Beal.

calguy2006

Thank you all for your responses. We will head for the area described by IrishEyes. The whole coast must be beautiful so we won't be disappointed in any stop along the way. Thanks again. Jim

IrishEyes

Jim, I highly recommend the drive out to Loop Head. Not only are there cliff walks in Kilkee but the whole way out are cliffs, sea stacks and arches. Ireland ends (literally) at Loop Head where there is a lighthouse and more cliffs. It is a wonderful place for a walk through the grass and wildflowers or for a picnic. There are rarely crowds there like at the Cliffs of Moher.

calguy2006

Thank you, IrishEyes, for that suggestion and that's now on our itinerary. It sounds like a really beautiful drive - out to Loop Head.
We are looking forward to this trip so very much. I'm sure we will have a great time in Ireland from what we have read on all of the message boards. Thanks again. Jim

Amhlaoibh

Yes, IrishEyes is correct. The Cliffs are in Kerry, near Ballybunnion. The key to the widespeard misunderstanding is the line, "Take a view o'er..." which should be followed by "the Shannon" but this has been substituted by "the mountains". The song is over 100 years old and was composed by Jack McAuliffe of Dysert, Lixnaw, Co Kerry.

Ninja

Would loop head drive be a good first day alternative to the Cliffs of Moher and Burren area? We arrive in Shannon and will be headed to Dingle Peninsula area on day 2, so thinking of Loop Head as a good, less crowded first day alternative. Thoughts?

IrishEyes

Ninja, What time do you arrive in Shannon and what month will you be there?

Ninja

Still in the early planning stages, so no flights arranged yet. Will be traveling late June 2007, coming from east coast U.S.

IrishEyes

I think Loop Head would make a very good substitute for the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs at Loop Head are not as high but neither do you get the very crowded atmosphere like at the Cliffs of Moher. If you have small kids take caution as there are no barriers. I would do Loop Head in good weather. Have alternate plans if it is rainy or foggy.