Plan Your Visit

Loop Head Lighthouse is open for groups only until next Spring.

We are currently closed for the season, with the exception of group bookings. Groups of 8 or more can arrange a visit by contacting info@loopheadlighthouse.ie.

We look forward to welcoming all visitors when we re-open in Spring.

Tour Inclusions

You will get to enjoy the exhibits in the Lightkeeper’s Cottage and a guided tour up to the Crow’s Nest in the Cottage and then the Lighthouse Tower and balcony for spectacular views. Weather permitting, you’ll have fantastic views south as far as the Blasket Islands and north to the Twelve Pins in Connemara.

Tour Rates

Adult: €7.00
Child (aged 6 to 17 and over 1.2 meters in height): €5.00

Please note: Pre-booking is essential as capacity is limited. Online booking closes at midnight for the following day’s booking. For enquiries on available slots, please contact 089 961 4203 or info@loopheadlighthouse.ie

Please read the note on accessibility before booking.

Accessibility and Suitability

The nature of the Lighthouse tour means it is not suitable for wheelchair users, visitors with reduced mobility or vision impairment, a fear of heights, or service animals. Children must be aged 6 or over and be over 1.2 meters in height and be capable of ascending and descending the staircases unaided. The Crow’s Nest includes 33 steps and the Lighthouse Tower 74 steps (with three landings).

The exhibition on the ground floor of the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage, and the toilets and refreshment facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Parking

Free parking at the lighthouse.

Refreshments

Beverages and light snacks are available ‘to go’.

Our Location – allow generous travel time

We are located in Kilbaha South, Co. Clare. Please allow plenty of time to reach us. If driving from Shannon Airport allow more than 90 minutes. If driving from Ennis, allow more than 80 minutes. If driving from Kilrush, allow more than 40 minutes. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. More details below.

See and Do

View

Panoramic views of dramatic rugged coastline, wild seas and big sky await. Take a guided tour of the Lighthouse – climbing up the tower and going out onto the balcony. Weather permitting – you will be able to see south as far as the Blasket Islands, and north to the Twelve Pins in Connemara, along the Wild Atlantic Way. The balcony is also the perfect vantage point from which to spot whales, dolphins and seals, while the rock ledges and caves of the cliffs are home to many beautiful seabirds – including fulmars, kittiwakes .

Look to the north and you will also see four great promontories and cathedral-sized caverns.

Discover

Uncover the fascinating history of Loop Head lighthouse with interactive exhibits in the Light keeper’s Cottage,

Explore

Take a bracing cliff top walk , enjoying the level land that is lit with beautiful wild flowers – pink thrift, yellow vetch and white campion.

At the edge of the peninsula you’ll see a sea stack known as Diarmuid & Grainne’s Rock or Lover’s Leap – mythical lovers who spent the night on this rock while fleeing Grainne’s betrothed, Fionn. There is also an interesting relic from the Second World War: huge white letters cut into the grassy cliff top to spell out the word E-I-R-E. This was one of 85 EIRE signs placed along the western Irish seaboard so that American and German pilots knew that they were passing over neutral territory.

How to Get Here

By Car

Loop Head is accessed from the N67 Kilrush-Kilkee road.

From Dublin: 288km/ three hours and 30 minutes.
From Cork: 190km/ two hours and 45 minutes.
From Killarney: 105km/ two hours and 30 minutes.
From Galway: 120km/ one hour and 45 minutes.
From Limerick: 90 km/ one hour and 15 minutes.

Loop Head Lighthouse has its own car park facility.

By Public Transport

You can travel by train to Limerick or Ennis train stations.

TFI Local Link Limerick Clare’s 339 route serves Loop Head Lighthouse twice daily from Kilkee and Kilrush. Cash, TFI Go, and TFI Leap cards accepted. For more information, visit www.locallinklc.ie.

Taxi transfers can also be arranged to your accommodation.

For more details, visit www.transportforireland.ie.

Shannon Ferries

This Ferry provides a crossing of the River Shannon between Co. Clare and Co. Kerry.  Go to www.shannonferries.com.

By Plane

Shannon Airport is our local airport only 1 hour 30 mins away.

Private Chauffeur Service

Private chauffeur service is available from all Irish airports.

Private Taxi Service

Private taxi service is available from all locations.

Further Information

Check out https://visitclare.ie/ for more information on getting around County Clare and tips on organising your trip.