The drive from the Cliffs of Moher to Doolin was beautiful. I drove down R478, Ballard Road, along the coast.  I drove through Burren karst pavements, beautiful green fields, passed ruins and castles to Doolin Harbour.

R478, Ballard Road between the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin

R478, Ballard Road between the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin

Another Thatched Roof driving toward Ardeamush, a rural area near Doolin, County Clare, Ireland

Another Thatched Roof driving toward Ardeamush, a rural area near Doolin, County Clare, Ireland

I drove down unnamed roads to Craggy Island B&B in Ardeamush. Ardeamush is a Townland, near Doolin. In Ireland, a townland is the geographic division name for small areas of Irish Gaelic origin, usually divided before the Norman invasion.

Ruins near Doolin, Ireland

Ruins near Doolin, Ireland

Gorse near Doolin, Ireland

Gorse near Doolin, Ireland

Craggy Island B&B in Ardeamush a rural area near Doolin, Ireland

Craggy Island B&B in Ardeamush a rural area near Doolin, Ireland

More Ruins near Doolin, Ireland

More Ruins near Doolin, Ireland

Ballinalacken Castle near Doolin, Ireland

Ballinalacken Castle near Doolin, Ireland

I could see this castle in the distance. I looked for it the next morning.

The coast near Doolin Harbour, Ireland

The coast near Doolin Harbour, Ireland

In every direction are green fields, divided by rock walls. Some of the limestone karst of the Burren shows through the green.

Beach, Limestone Pavement, Doolin Harbour, Ireland

Beach, Limestone Pavement, Doolin Harbour, Ireland

You can see why they call it pavement.  “The rolling hills of The Burren are composed of limestone pavements with criss-crossing cracks known as ‘grikes’, leaving isolated rocks called ‘clints’.” Wikipedia

Crab Island in Doolin Harbour, Ireland

Crab Island in Doolin Harbour, Ireland

Crab Island is right in the bay of Doolin Harbour. It acts as a breakwater. There is nothing there but remains of a 19th-century stone constabulary outpost.

The Harbour, Doolin, Ireland

The Harbour, Doolin, Ireland

This small pier is where the ferry leaves from to go to the Aran Islands and the foot of the Cliffs of Moher. It only runs in the summer. The rest of the year the water has high swells.

Cliffs at The Harbour, Doolin, Ireland

Cliffs at The Harbour, Doolin, Ireland

Surfers at The Harbour, Doolin, Ireland

Surfers at The Harbour, Doolin, Ireland

People surf and ride jet skis here. There is also a campground full of campers. I thought I had photos of that, but I don’t. It was pretty flat when I was here, but I am told there are high waves at other times.

Cliffs of Mohr and O'Brien's Tower from Doolin Harbour

Cliffs of Mohr and O’Brien’s Tower from Doolin Harbour

Looking south, you can see the Cliffs of Mohr and O’Brien’s Tower from Doolin Harbour.

Doonagore Castle and Burren Karst, Ireland

Doonagore Castle and Burren Karst, Ireland

Doonagore Castle, Ireland

Doonagore Castle, Ireland

This is the view looking inland from around the Harbour. The round tower is Doonagore Castle, a round tower house built in the 16th-century. Doonagore, in Gaelic Dún na Gabhair,  likely means “fort of the rounded hills” or  “fort of the goats”. I did not see goats. It is on a rounded hill. At one time, late 17th or early 18th century, it was owned and repaired by the Gore family, so it is sometimes called Gore’s Castle. There are a lot of square towers, but this is one of only three cylinder castles in the Burren.

People use it as a landmark to get their bearings out at sea or hiking the Burren.  It is not open to the public.

Rocks at coast, near Doolin Harbour, Ireland

Rocks at coast, near Doolin Harbour, Ireland

Irish Coast Guard Station, Doolin Harbour, Ireland

Irish Coast Guard Station, Doolin Harbour, Ireland

The Irish Coast Guard are all volunteers. This is the station of the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coast Guard. They do search and rescue both at sea and on and near the cliffs. They also monitor for pollution. To qualify, the Coast Guard volunteers prove themselves at boat handling, first aid, VHF radio operation, navigation, search management, sea survival and other skills.

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