26 Mar Lough Derg , Co. Clare
The West bank of Lough Derg is a seam of beautiful countryside set between mountains and the great expense of the lake. It forms the country’s Eastern boundary and , isolated by the heights of the Slieve Bernagh and the Slieve Aughty mountains , has a different character from the rest of Clare. Therefore its a hidden gem worth seeing on any Ireland tours.
The lough’s wealth of fish and bird life , and the quaint villages on either shore , have long made it popular with a wealthy lough-cruising set , whose exclusive brand of tourism supports the fairly conservative and well-kept villages. The hunting, shooting and fishing crowds are well catered for and tend to dominate the character of local pubs , but the historic town of Killaloe and the village of Mountshannon make attractive places for accommodation as they offer a wide range of restaurants and pubs as well as opportunities to for watersports on any tours of Ireland. There are also pockets renowned for their traditional music session , notably the tiny villages of Feakle and Ogonnelloe , attracting predominantly local crowds.
The road to the North varies the scene , at times clinging to the lake shore , at others gaining higher ground and panoramic views over the lough , its Islands and the mountains of Tipperary.