Doonbeg Pods and Cottages

Stays this close to the coast should always be taken full advantage of, so turn tyres or feet towards the Atlantic for splashingly splendid days by (or on) the sea. Take a 15-minute drive for kayaking tours in Kilkee, or about 20 minutes for the inflatables at Kilrush’s West Coast Aqua Park. Slightly further afield, guests can get out on the water by signing up for dolphin-watching trips (25 minutes) or surf lessons (40 minutes). When staying indoors seems preferable, stick closer to site and opt instead for Kilkee Waterworld (15 minutes), an indoor swimming pool with slides, geysers and a ‘lazy river’ to float down. Turning away from the waves, dive into history instead at West Clare Railway, a vintage steam railway and museum 15 minutes away, or make the lengthier journey to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park (one hour) to find out what life was like in 19th-century Ireland. Geography nerds – and, in fact, everyone else – should make the most of proximity to the Burren (55 minutes) to explore the cliffs, caves, crazy rock formations and huge cracked limestone pavement at this UNESCO Geopark.