Just inside the Clare border, Whitegate is only a short distance from a number
of lakeside facilities, among them a private harbour at Williamstown,
where a hire-cruiser operation is based. A public harbour is under
construction and the village has great fishing potential.
(Baile ui Bheolain - Boland's town)
Mountshannon was designed as a model village and completed in 1742. It is thoughfully and carefully
planned out. It's tree lined streets and the uniformity of its architecture give it a grace and dignity
seldom seen in villages of comparable size.
The pictureque harbour is an excellent centre for angling and sailing whilst the Slaibh Aughty mountains
rolling gently behind the village are a hillwalker or cyclists dream come true. The mountains are rich in archeological remains and
the local summit commands a panoramic view of Lough Derg and its five surrounding counties.
The village has won numerous prestigios Tidy Towns awards including overall national title in 1981. Mountshannon
has been highly commended representing Ireland at European level in the Entente Floriale competition.
Mountshannon Arts Festival on June Bank Holiday weekend is an event not to be missed.
Aistear Iniscealtra,
Ireland's most unique project, provides an informative exploration of Irish Spirituality over 9,500 years.
There is a maze, outdoor performance area, viewing shelter overlooking Lough Derg, picnic and recreational area.
The project will function as an introduction into an area steeped
in history, tradition and culture.
Activities available locally include watersports, sailing (plus lessons), swimming, pony treking, pitch & putt, tennis
walking and cycling.
(Inis Cealtra - Island of the burial ground; or Island of
monastic cells)
Situated at the mouth of Scarrif Bay on Lough Derg, Inis Cealtra is one of the most famous monastic sites
in Ireland. It's many attractions include a well preserved Round Tower, the ruins of six churches and a cell like structure
which is one of the most extraordinary buildings in Ireland.
There are boat trips and guided tours from Mountshannnon Harbour.
(Tulach - a hill)
The village, built on a drumlin, has the remains of a medieval parish church dedicated
to St. Moculla.
The area has several prehistoric gallery graves.
Limestone caves that can be explored mark the Toumeens, an underground stream, 3 km away.
Like the rest of the Clare Lakelands region, Tulla offers great fishing.
Cullaun Lake also offers good sailing and the surrounding woods have forest walks and a
lakeside picnic site.
Cullaun House, now in ruins, was formerly the property of Tom Steele (1788- 1848),
friend of Daniel O'Connell and on the side of the Catholic Emancipation.
There is a music festival each summer.
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