Bellharbour lies on an inlet of Ballyvaughan Bay and on the Wild Atlantic Way. The village has long been associated with Irish traditional music, while also offering activities related to the Burren’s geology and landscape. This brings together two interests when planning a trip: the local history of music and courses or activities focused on nature and landscape.
Geology, courses and activities
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark and the Burren Outdoor Education and Training Centre in Turlough, Bell Harbour, hold an annual six-day evening course on the geology and landscape of the Burren. The course ends with a field trip, where participants examine rocks at close range. In this way, the evening course combines learning about the landscape with a final field investigation.
The Burren Outdoor Education Centre also offers environmental courses on the geology, history and ecology of the Burren. The programme includes specialist training for adults, environmental studies, and team-building and team-development activities. Field studies for schools are available for school groups. The offerings vary by topic and audience: to help you choose, consider whether you are more interested in environmental and landscape topics, professional development for adults, or a school or team programme.
If you are looking for individual activities rather than a multi-day course, the centre offers caving trips, kayaking and walks. These are different ways to explore the surrounding area. Check the latest operating details before booking.
Music and local history
Bellharbour was the home of the late Chris Droney, a well-known concertina player and composer. The village’s long association with Irish traditional music is also reflected in the name “The Bellharbour,” which is the title of a well-known reel in this musical tradition. For those interested in local music history, the biography and the reel’s title offer two different points of connection with Bellharbour’s cultural character.
Nearby cultural and coastal sites
Corcomroe Abbey is 1.5 kilometres from Bellharbour, near the Clare–Galway border. The Cistercian abbey dates from the early 13th century and was once known as “St. Mary of the Fertile Rock.” It is said to have been founded around 1194 by Donal Mór O’Brien, King of Thomond. It takes about 20 minutes to walk there from Bellharbour along narrow country roads; route conditions may vary.
The abbey church also dates from the early 13th century. Its features include carved capitals with delicate floral motifs, especially at the eastern end, as well as decorative bases. Remains of other associated buildings are also visible, including the ruins of a gatehouse and fragments of the enclosure walls around the monastic precinct. The churches in Oughtmama Valley date from the 12th century and are located not far from Corcomroe Abbey.
The coast is another useful point of reference: Green Coast Beach at Bishops Quarter is right by Bellharbour. A few kilometres to the north is the Flaggy Shore, a shallow, rocky and scenic stretch of coast. Hazel Mountain Chocolate, a small chocolate factory with an organic café and chocolate shop, is also nearby. If you are considering a visit, check current opening information and visitor arrangements in advance.
Staying overnight in Bellharbour
The Burren Outdoor Education Centre offers hostel-style accommodation on site. If you are considering this option in your plans, check current availability in advance. This lets you take the specific accommodation option into account when looking for a place to stay in Bellharbour, without assuming it is available.
Discover more destinations: Carron, Killaloe, Spanish Point, Ennistimon, Mountshannon, Dromoland, Clarecastle, Tulla.
For the broader travel overview: County Clare.
