Mrs_Wilde

We will be staying in a cottage on the western side of Lough Derg (near Woodford) mid-June. What are some possible day trips from this area? We will have a rental car and would like to venture out for a day. Our interests are wide and varied; natural scenery, gardens, castles are some things we enjoy. The Aran Islands look interesting but I am not sure which town would be best to take a ferry. I am also concerned about distances and travel time - we would prefer to stay within a two hour drive each way.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

SeeDee

Try www.visitclare.net/thingstodo.php

Itallian_Chauffer

Assuming that you are NOT looking for info on Semi-Local sites, like Iniscealtra, Birr, Portumna, etc ...

Clonmacnoice, West Clare (the Burren, Cliffs, etc.) are possible canidates. I think you would need to dedicate an over-night to properly see any of the Arans, but perhaps a Cliff cruise and MAYBE Inis Or, out of Doolin would be possible.

Bob

Tony2phones

Welcome to Ballinakill Parish. Where by Woodford?

The benefit is that you will be within 2 1/2hours from Dublin, Kilkenny, Adare, even Clfden on a clear run Doolin is about 1 1/2 hours for the Inis Oirr ferry.
Good choice of bars in Woodford but Portumna/Loughrea best for Shopping and we only have one questionable takaway food spot in the village. The Half Barrel in Whitegate is good for pub food as are a few places in the larger towns.

http://www.loughderggardens.com/
http://eastclareheritage.com/publica...aughty-ramble/

Anything specific just ask

Mrs_Wilde

Wow - thank you everyone for the advice.

Tony2phones - I say Woodford because that is in the address. The cottage is called The Humble Daisy, Old Village, Douras, Woodford. It is off a road near Gurteeny past St. Anne's Well and Grotto. We are happy to stay there because a boat is provided and we plan on doing some fishing.

Tony2phones

Know the location, a couple of miles out from Woodford down a couple of borheen to the river. There are a couple of bars in Gurteeny on the main Portumna Scarriff Rd. If you go up between these towards Avalon (Greyhound rescue)it takes you over the slieve into Woodford past one of the Millennium forests and the nature reserve. You could though go past the Church and along the bottom road from the Portuma side.
http://www.irelandtravelkit.com/?s=w...&submit=Search

Cowboy1968

Probably not exactly what OP is looking for as in one Destination for a day trip, but a Loop around Lough Derg with possible detours can also easily fill one day.
E.g. Portumna, Birr, Roscrea, Nenagh, Ballina/Killaloe, Scarriff

There is no single Major attraction along the road, but a multitude of Castles, houses, "authentic" small towns, great Vistas and viewpoints - like on the R494 on the Western shores of the lake, or from Mt Toutinna in the Arra Mountains (IF you can find the road that leads to the Peak)

Or "downtown" Nenagh which is quite scenic, esp. with the recently renovated Tower/Castle, and the Museum. And many quirky Shops. the "Country Choice" is the county's premier address for local and deli produce.

Or a detour from Nenagh towards Thurles, with the viewpoint on Devil's Bit with great Vistas of the rolling green pastures of Tipperary.

From Ballina/Killaloe you can take short boat rides on Lough Derg. And visit the ring fort.

All in all, just rather harmless pleasures instead of one big Thing like the Cliffs of Moher, but a full plate of different things to do and visit during one day.

P.S. Sorry about the random capitalizing, but somehow my PC suddenly switched to Auto "Correct" which I could not turn off yet.

Mrs_Wilde

Thanks for the additional information cowboy. Now to find a good map! My landlady there says "it's true what they say about the road signs in Ireland." I presume that means there are none?!