Doonbeg, which is Irish for “little fort,” is a town that developed around the ruins of a 16th-century fortress. The hamlet and its surroundings include a decent selection of bars, many of which play traditional Irish music. For golf fans, Greg Norman’s Doonbeg Golf Club Course at Doughmore is open for some of the best golf in the world. Try exploring the white sand beaches on horseback or take one of the many local treks that emphasise the area’s natural beauty. While the villages of Kilrush and Carrigaholt provide boat cruises for dolphin watching, Doughmore Strand and Spanish Point are recognised for their superb surfing. There are many ways to spend your holiday in this stunning region of Ireland, including fishing, deep sea angling, boat charter, the West Clare Railway, the International Jazz Festival over Whit weekend, and the Willie Keane Memorial, which features traditional Irish music, song, and dance over the weekend of the October bank holiday.