Killimer lies in a sheltered bay on the north shore of the Shannon Estuary. At Killimer Port, you can walk right down to the water’s edge and take in the estuary. The port, river landscape and local heritage give the town three concrete points of interest for planning your trip: the ferry, views from the shore and the story of Colleen Bawn.

Ferry and getting your bearings at the port

Killimer Port is the departure point for the hourly ferry to Tarbert in County Kerry. Shannon Ferries operates the two ferries, Shannon Breeze and Shannon Dolphin. If you’re planning to take the ferry, check the timetable before setting off.

For information while you’re there, the Killimer Visitors Centre provides details about local sights and attractions. The shop stocks books, Irish souvenirs, CDs and cassettes, tea, coffee, soft drinks, sandwiches, sweets and ice cream.

Routes around Killimer

The County Clare section of the Wild Atlantic Way ends in Killimer. The Shannon Estuary Way, by contrast, is a 207-kilometre circular route through the counties of Clare, Limerick and Kerry; Killimer’s ferry service is an important part of this route. This means that Killimer is both the endpoint of the County Clare section of one route and a connection to a circular route through three counties.

The story of Colleen Bawn

A monument to Colleen Bawn stands in Killimer village. She was Ellen Hanley, aged 15, who eloped with John Scanlan and, a few weeks later, was murdered by his servant, Stephen Sullivan, in a boat on the Shannon Estuary. Colleen Bawn’s grave near Killimer complements the monument with a second specific place connected to this story.

To reach the grave, park in Killimer and walk up to the cemetery. There is no parking on the narrow road to the cemetery. The cemeteries containing Colleen Bawn’s grave are on a small hill; from there, you can see Tarbert and the ferry travelling back and forth on the Shannon. The walk to the cemetery and the views of the estuary connect local history with the landscape.

Heritage trails in the parish

There are three QR-code heritage trails in the wider parish area. You can explore them on foot, by bike or by car, and learn about local history through stories, images, anecdotes and digital features. This means the cultural offering extends beyond the monument and Colleen Bawn’s grave, providing a broader way to explore the parish’s history.

County Clare in the wider travel picture

Other destinations in County Clare include the Cliffs of Moher and Burren National Park. The cliffs rise to over 700 feet at O’Brien’s Tower and stretch for almost 14 kilometres along the Clare coastline. The visitor facilities include 800 metres of surfaced paths and viewpoints, including access to O’Brien’s Tower. The visitor centre is fully accessible and features a self-guided exhibition as well as a virtual reality experience on a cliff face. At Burren National Park, visitors can explore walking trails. Check current information on facilities and trail conditions before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Boston, Kilkee, Kilrush, Baunkyle, Cappanavarnoge, Labasheeda, Cross, Lahinch.

For the broader travel overview: County Clare.