Ballyvaughan

Ballyvaughan (also: Ballyvaghan, Irish: Baile Uí Bheacháin ) is a city in the west of Ireland with 224 inhabitants ( 2006). It lies on the southern edge of Galway Bay in the north of County Clare and is the northern gateway to the Burren.

The original fishing village has developed into a yacht harbor and tourist resort with its restaurants, pubs and shops provides the starting point from which to explore the sights of the northern Burren, which is just a few kilometers south of the city. At the crossroads in the place where the N67 coast road turns to the south, is famous throughout Ireland and immortalized on many postcards guide with over 15 signs.

Located on the road to the Black Head ( west of the town ) Tobercornan "the Pinnacle well" one of the many - is provided here with a fountain house - Holy Well Ireland. This area is also an old Cooking from the Bronze Age - an Ancient cooking place or ' Fulacht fiadh '. Near here is Gleninagh Castle ( Caislean Gleann Eiahneach ), the seat of the Clan of the O'Loughlens, whose descendants still occupied the castle until 1840. It is externally well preserved and a popular photo.

Newtown Castle is a round and therefore rare castle tower from the 16th century. It is located a little south of the village. The restored Castle is give a small museum that has valuable script copies, added and information on the history of the area.

Another attraction near Bally Vaughan is the Aillwee Cave, the cave bear. The walk-in limestone cave is over two million years old. And there was found in a chamber bear bones, it is believed that bears held in this cave hibernation before their eradication in Ireland.