//
Village in County Clare, Ireland
Photo: Laurel Lodged, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kilfenora (Cill Fhionnúrach, "Church of the Fertile Hillside") is a tiny village in County Clare, with a population of 150 in 2022. It's the most northern of a string of little places, also described here, as the road leaves the low country at Corofin and climbs the valley through Kilnaboy and Leamaneh. North of Kilfenora is the stark limestone scenery of The Burren, which is the main reason to visit.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Built around 1198, the cathedral is tiny: one 19th-century visitor sneered that "A pile of emigrants' luggage with a rabbit-hutch or bird-cage overhead would look equally imposing". A Church of Ireland (Protestant) church was built within the ruin in 1850. There are three high crosses, moved in 2005 to the south transept which was given a glass roof to protect them. Another impressive cross stands in the field 100 m north.
Bit of a mishmash of tourist office, display of the geology, archaeology and botany of The Burren, tea-room, craft shop and communal space for the village.
Quiet pub at the village crossroads.
Lively pub, often has trad music, and dancing Sundays from 9:30PM. Often caters for wedding parties and tour groups.
Smart glamping cabin 1 km east of village.
By road from Ennis is 35 km: head north on N85, join N67 at Ennistymon, then right onto R481. From Galway (70 km), head south on N67 through Ballyvaughan to Lisdoonvarna then turn left onto R476.
Read in the guideKilfenora is a tiny place and a short walk will exhaust its delights. You need wheels to explore the Burren to the north and east.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Shannon · International · SNN
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Kilfenora and Ireland.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in March across Japanese cherry blossoms, explosive Spanish fiestas, desert wonders in Jordan, and Irish music sessions.
7 min read
InspirationExplore the best castle and gothic hotel stays in Europe. Discover historic fortresses, medieval estates, luxury châteaux, and Spanish parador hotels.
6 min read
Food & drinkBritish and Irish cuisine had a reputation for bland food such as dry roast meat with soft-boiled vegetables from the post-war era until the 1990s.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.