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Carrigaholt
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Carrigaholt is a
lovely little village with a bustling harbour watched over by a 15th
century castle. The village is situated on the Loop Head Peninsula
in County Clare. It lies at the mouth of the Moyarta river, which
flows into the estuary of the River Shannon about 15km from the tip
of the Loop Head peninsula and about 10km from the resort town of
Kilkee on the north coast of the peninsula.
The village boasts a ruined castle - Carrigaholt Castle - built in
about 1480 by the McMahons, chiefs of the Corcabascin Peninsula.
This tall, well-preserved five storey tower house stood guard over
the mouth of the Shannon and the local fishing pier. Fishing is
still continued in the village with a small number of boats
delivering their catches to a local processing company.
Carrigaholt is now famous for its dolphin and whale watching
services. A local company (Dolphinwatch) offers boating trips to
observe dolphins in the mouth of the Shannon River, home to one of
the largest pods in Europe. The Carrigaholt Sea Angling Centre
offers fishing packages for up to 8 fisherman at a time and runs a
purpose built Lochin 366. Catches include Ray, Conger, Bass,
Dogfish, Tope, Cod, Pollock, Hake and Turbot. Bottom fishing from
the pier will produce, dabs, flounder and lots of dogfish. Conger
eels have been taken at night, right underneath the harbour walls.
The coastal scenery around Carrigaholt is spectacular with splendid
examples of cliffs, sea-stacks, sea-caves, chasms and rocks; the
well-known 'Bridge of Ross' is a sea-arch formed by marine erosion.
An Oyster and Trad festival is held annually on the May Bank Holiday
weekend and a Family Festival is held towards the end of August.
Carrigaholt has much to offer anyone who enjoys spectacular sea
cliff scenery, bird watching, dolphin and whale watching,
fascinating world-famous geology, wind surfing, kite surfing, fresh
seafood restaurants and warm village pubs. |
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Carrigaholt Holiday Homes - County Clare, Ireland