Free Things to do in Clare

As the saying goes, the best things in life are free.  So let's find some of those things to do in Clare! As a parent, I'm all for exposing my kids to a wide variety of things to find out where their interests lie.  So try occasionally going to a different activity that the family has never tried before.  You'll probably be pleasantly surprised at how much fun you'll have.

Playgrounds - There are new ones popping up all the time in Clare.  Instead of going to the same one every time, check out neighboring playgrounds or go find a new one you've never been to before.

Beaches - Don't wait for the sun to come out.  Head to the beach with coats, hats and wellies, if need be, and take a walk on the shore.  Though, most likely, the kids will want to get wet, so bring towels and a change of clothes even if you don't plan on swimming!

Galleries - Visit an art gallery and find out what inspires your child.  Exhibitions are changing regularly so it's always a different experience and it doesn't matter if it's a short or a long visit, everyone is bound to enjoy something out of it.  To engage your kids, ask them to find their very favourite piece while you're there.  Please note: children are welcome to visit galleries, but it may be advisable to parents to find out what exhibitions are on before heading to a gallery to discern if it is suitable for younger ones.

Clare Museum - Visit the Riches of Clare Museum for interactive experiences, audio visual, discoveries from archaeological sites and artifacts.  The Museum also has a small gallery displaying local artists.

Other trails - Stop by the Ennis Tourist Office attached to Clare Museum and they will supply you with maps and descriptions of the Ennis Sculpture Trail or the Historical Trail.  Kilrush town has a Shannon Dolphin Trail which starts at the Shannon Dolphin Information Board in the town's Market Square.  Follow the trail markers and it will take you to the Shannon Dolphin & Wildlife Centre where you can listen to sounds from the bottlenose dolphins, see real skeletons of whales and dolphins, and many more dol-fun educational activities for children.  Or lastly, try the Kilkee Habitat Trail which follows the beach and cliffs.  It's a scenic walk with six panels each one themed to its location illustrating the diverse wildlife habitats of Kilkee.  While you're in Kilkee, take the nets and try to catch fish in the rock pools, or play the unique local game of Racquets (a form of outdoor squash) against the West End wall on the beach.

Libraries - Check out the activities going on at your local library, or again, go to a different branch.  Recently, my daughter and I visited a different branch and she really enjoyed herself in the kid's section of Kilrush Library.  It's not the closest branch to us but she wants to visit again.

Festivals and events - Check out our What's On section regularly.  Frequently, there are free events and festivals happening around the county.

Hit the trails - One of our favourite things to do is pack snacks or a picnic lunch and head to the woods for a hike.  Here's some of our favourite nature trails.

Or try some popular tourist activities close to home such as:

Burren Smokehouse has a free audio visual presentation, mosaics indoors and outdoors, and gift shop to meander through. Sample their award winning smoked salmon, which I'm sure you'll be tempted to buy some to take home.

The Rock Shop have free audio visual presentations and a stunning showroom of crystals, stones and stone products, and jewelry. There is also a café.

Visit historic and archaeological sites like Mooghaun fort near Newmarket-on-Fergus, Poulnabrone Dolmen in the Burren, or Quin Abbey just to name a few.

If you know of other free activities for the family to enjoy, then please email me so I can add it. Thanks and enjoy!.