EXPLORE
SEE & DO
When visiting The Imperial Hotel you are spoiled for choice with the a wide range of activities and sight-seeing right on your door step.
THE BURREN
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Of international importance, the Burren is an amazing landscape with lots of ancient tombs and great wild flowers in Summer.
The Burren, a remarkable place where geology, ecology, archaeology, agriculture, history, food and traditional Irish music are deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of the region. It is a landscape of hills, valleys, plateaus, cliffs, beaches, turloughs, lakes, streams, depressions, and caves – all of which provide us with a truly remarkable window into the geological history of North Clare and the West of Ireland.
The Burren is one of the largest and most accessible Karst regions in the world. It is the only place on the planet that Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine plants grow side-by-side. It also has geological and historical wonders and a rich community of people full of passion and pride for this wonderful place.
CLIFFS OF MOHER
YOU'LL BE BLOWN AWAY
The most famous natural wonder in Ireland, it is top of most visitors must-do list. Wonderful views. Just 10-15 minutes away!
More than a million plus visitors come to see the Cliffs of Moher each year. You can look forward to a trip that’s never to be forgotten: Ireland at its most natural, rugged, panoramic and breathtaking. Everything you dreamed that Ireland would be – and more. The beauty of the Cliffs of Moher is that they offer us a totally multi-faceted experience of Ireland’s incredible west coast – as much a historical landmark as they are a geographical wonder, conservation hotspot and area of immense natural richness and importance.
On a clear day you can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, the Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk mountains in Connemara, as well as the Dingle Peninsula and Blasket Islands in Kerry.
LISDOONVARNA MATCHMAKING FESTIVAL
ENJOY THE CRAIC
The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is one of Ireland’s oldest and longest traditional festivals which attracts singles from all over the world looking for love and a bit of ‘craic.’, every September. Nowhere else in Ireland, will you find music and dancing for a whole month, non-stop from 11am in the morning to the wee hours of the night.
For more information go to www.matchmakerieland.com
TRADITIONAL MUSIC
HOME OF IRISH MUSIC
West Clare is widely regarded as the home of Irish music. Music has always been an integral part of life in West Clare, due to its remote location, which strengthened community ties and ensured that traditions such as the Irish language, music and dancing were maintained.
The Roadside Tavern is legendary in Lisdoonvarna. You will find traditional music every Friday and Saturday night in the winter, and every night in the summer. They have their own microbrewery called the Burren Brewery and an award-winning food menu served up by Kiernan’s Kitchen. They also have their own smokehouse next door so you can expect locally smoked fish and other smoked delicacies featured on the menu.
BURREN SMOKEHOUSE
FRESHEST SEAFOOD AROUND
Great smoked fish and other delights. See the smokehouse in action. Artisan smokehouse – only minutes walk from the Imperial Hotel.
They marry the influences of the traditional Irish way with the Scandinavian way of smoking.
Explore their different kinds of Hot Smoked Salmon – discover the plain variety for the natural taste of smoked salmon. Our marinades feature spices, or different honey & lemon glazings.
