Go to My Ireland
logo-mini

Are you sure you want to sure you want to leave the feed?

Leave

Oops... something went wrong!

My Ireland

Looking for inspiration? Planning a trip? Or just want to scroll yourself happy? We'll show you an Ireland that's tailor-made for you.

  • #Landscapes
  • #CultureandHeritage
  • #OutdoorActivities
  • #Landmarks

Oops, no internet connection

While offline, you can still add items to ‘My Board’. New travel reccomendations will only show up once you’re back online.

    See what Ireland has in store for you

    Oops, no internet connection

    While offline, you can still add items to ‘My Board’. New travel reccomendations will only show up once you’re back online.

    My Board

    Items without a physical location are not shown in map view.

    Looks like your board is empty

    Look out for the little heart icon around Ireland.com, simply tap the icon to start adding items to your board!

    Board settings

    Collection cover image

    Visible to people you share your board with

    No image

    Loop Head

    From birdwatchers and legendary lovers to Star Wars film crews, no one can resist one of the Wild Atlantic Way's most dramatic headlands
    • #WildAtlanticWay
    • #Landscapes
    County Clare
    Amazing landscapes
    1.5hr from Shannon Airport

    Loop Head

    County Clare

    A cinematic landscape

    Bound on one side by the Shannon Estuary and on the other by the awesome power of the Atlantic Ocean, Loop Head has always been defined by its relationship with the water. As you drive south from Kilkee and embark on the famous Loop Head Drive, you’ll be wowed by the dramatic cliffs, turbulent seascapes and historic sites you’ll encounter.

    With scenery this beautiful, who could blame those Star Wars location scouts for being enticed? Loop Head was one of a handful of places along the Wild Atlantic Way used to film Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Filming was shrouded in mystery, with the iconic Loop Head Lighthouse closed to the public while the Jedi Masters of the film world worked their magic.

    L-R: The cliffs at Loop Head, County Clare; Loop Head Lighthouse, County Clare; Tortoiseshell butterfly, County Clare

    Room with a view

    Drive to the very tip of the peninsula and you’ll come to the imposing Loop Head Lighthouse. There’s been a lighthouse on this site for well over 300 years but this one dates from 1854 and is open to the public. Take the guided tour and you’ll find yourself on the balcony, 23 metres (75 feet) above the ground, braced against the Atlantic winds as you marvel at the views. On a clear day, you can see the mountains of Connemara to the north and the Blasket Islands to the south. You can even stay in the lightkeepers’ accommodation, courtesy of the Irish Landmark Trust.

    Nearby, you might notice the E-I-R-E marked on the grassy clifftop in large white letters. This is a relic from World War II, when the writing was used to alert pilots that they were entering neutral air space. You’ll find similar sights all along the Wild Atlantic Way.

    Loop Head, County Clare

    Dive right in

    The waters around Loop Head are ideal for everything from sea angling and kayaking to coasteering (an exhilarating combination of climbing, swimming, jumping and scrambling along rock pools, cliffs and caves). And if you’re a scuba diver, you’ll want to know that Jacques Cousteau himself declared this the best diving spot in Europe. Local experts such as Nevsail Watersports and the Dive Academy in Lahinch can help you take on these aquatic challenges.

    Meet the locals

    Of course you won’t want to leave the Loop Head Peninsula before meeting some of the locals. And if you take the Dolphinwatch boat trip from Carrigaholt to the mouth of the Shannon, you’ll have the chance to see some of the 160 or so bottlenose dolphins that live in this EU Special Area of Conservation.

    So now that you’ve thoroughly explored the highlights, history and secrets of the Loop Head Peninsula, you’re ready to get back into your Wild Atlantic Way adventure.

    Loop Head, County Clare

    County Clare highlights

    Don't miss these things to see and do

    Lahinch Golf Club Old Course

    Lahinch Golf Club, Lahinch, County Clare, was established in 1892. Lahinch Golf Club Old Course is frequently referred to as the ‘Saint Andrews of Ireland’ due to the symbiotic relationship between the course and the local town. It is a world top 50 course that runs adjacent to the ever changing Atlantic Ocean and is subject to all its mood swings.

    Clare

    View details

    Attraction

    Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum

    Discover Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum at the original terminal building in Foynes, County Limerick. It recalls the nostalgic era of 1939 to 1945, when Foynes was the centre of the aviation world.

    Limerick

    View details

    Attraction

    Kilkee Cliffs

    Experience some of the best scenery in Ireland at the magnificent Kilkee Cliffs, just 5.5km west of Kilkee town in County Clare.

    Clare

    View details

    Attraction

    Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt

    Clare

    View details

    Attraction

    Lahinch Surf School

    Learn to surf with Irish Surfing Champion John McCarthy's at Lahinch Surf School.

    Clare

    View details

    Attraction

    Tarbert Port (Killimer to Tarbert Ferry)

    On a sunny day, walk out to Tarbert Port in County Kerry and relax with views of the peaceful Shannon estuary.

    Kerry

    View details

    Attraction

    Loop Head Lighthouse

    Perched 90 metres above the Atlantic Ocean, Loop Head lighthouse in west Clare has stood guard over this spectacular promontory for over 340 years.

    Clare

    View details

    Attraction

    Loop Head Adventures Ltd

    The Loop Head peninsula offers breathtaking scenery, wildlife and history. Cyclists can visit the L...

    Kilbaha

    View details

    Attraction

    Fishing Adventures

    Fishing Adventures provides sea angling and other trips from the beautiful unspoilt fishing village of Kilbaha on the Loop Head Peninsula in west County Clare.

    Clare

    View details

    Attraction

    Wild Honey Inn

    Clare

    View details

    Attraction

    Ballybunion Golf Club

    Ballybunion Golf Club, on the north west coast of County Kerry, is positioned upon a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Two wonderfully challenging and unique links golf courses can be played at Ballybunion, the Old Course and the Castle.

    Kerry

    View details

    Attraction