Boston lies on the 123 km-long Burren Way and on the eastern flank of Burren National Park. The Burren’s rolling karst landscape forms the backdrop to the village; Boston also lies on the eastern flank of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. Karst and the route offer two different perspectives on Boston: the landscape as a setting and a named route connecting several places.
Lough Bunny and the Burren Landscape
Lough Bunny, a limestone lake covering 480 acres, lies south of Boston. It is one of the deepest lakes in the Burren. Its rich plant life and diverse waterbird population also shape its natural character. The lake is also of interest to visitors who enjoy coarse fishing: Lough Bunny is considered a popular lake for this type of fishing. Check local conditions if you plan to fish.
The Burren Way connects Boston with Tubber, Corofin, Carron, Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin and Lahinch. At 123 km long, it gives a sense of the route’s wider scope.
Church, Castles and Historic Traces
The village is home to All Saints’ Catholic Church, built around 1850. Turloughmore is a short distance from Boston’s church. The village was known for its racecourse; regular fairs were held there in the 18th century. In the surrounding area, a church with a known date of construction sits alongside memories of the racecourse and fairs.
Nearby castles include Skaghard and Cluain Dubháin, both dating from the 16th century. One historical episode concerns the castle locally known as “Boston Castle”: Mahon O’Brien defended it for three months. The ruins of Boston Castle recall the sieges its inhabitants endured.
A Wider Look at County Clare
The wider destination of County Clare offers other landscape and cultural highlights. At O’Brien’s Tower, the Cliffs of Moher rise to over 700 feet and stretch for almost 14 kilometres along the Clare coast. The visitor site includes 800 metres of paved paths and viewing points, including access to O’Brien’s Tower. The Cliffs of Moher Experience also includes a fully accessible visitor centre, a self-guided exhibition and a virtual reality experience on a cliff face. Check current information about visitor facilities before your visit.
In Burren National Park in County Clare, visitors can explore walking trails. For a different coastal perspective, there is Fanore Beach, used by surfers, swimmers and walkers; lifeguard provision is seasonal. Inis Cealtra, also known as Holy Island, is in County Clare too: the island is in Lough Derg on the Shannon, and its history as a monastic settlement dates back to the 7th century. These regional examples offer their own highlights alongside Boston’s local features.
Discover more destinations: Bellharbour, Clarecastle, Broadford, Kilbaha, Dromoland, Murroogh, Miltown Malbay, Cross
For the wider travel guide: County Clare.
