The hostel operated as a 3 star hotel until Sleepzone opened in March 2007, and sits in its own landscaped grounds with 22 spacious en suite bedrooms, cosy resident's lounge, conference room, guest kitchen and large dining room. On site there is complementary car parking as well as free Internet (open access PC and Wi-Fi). The hostel is close to some of Ireland’s most renowned areas of natural beauty - the world-famous Cliffs of Moher, towering 200m above the ocean, and the Burren region, 400sq miles of limestone terrain, are both only minutes away.
The town of Lisdoonvarna is the ideal base from which to explore the Burren, where many of Ireland’s unique historical and geographical sites of interest are to be found. It is popular with walkers, who can walk or hike official Waymarked Ways across the lunarscape of the Burren and discover rare and beautiful flora and fauna, megalithic tombs, castles and caves. If you prefer, you can take a guided tour of the area with an experienced tour guide (book via reception at the hostel).
An ideal way to appreciate the beauty of the area is to hop on a bike and cycle some of the nearby routes. Some of the finest surf in the country is to be found at Lahinch and Fanore beaches, while pot-holing, caving and horse-riding are all available nearby. Boat tours travel to the Aran Islands, passing by the foot of the Cliffs of Moher. Shore angling is a popular pastime along the rugged Clare coastline, while golfers will enjoy the panoramic ocean views from the famous Championship Golf Links at Lahinch.
By Bus: Galway Tour Company offer a Jump On / Jump Off service from Sleepzone Galway City – book tickets at Sleepzone Galway.
Bus Eireann offer connections from the Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch, Doolin, Galway, Limerick, Ennis, Shannon Airport, Dublin and Dublin Airport. Timetables are on www.buseireann.ie.
By car from Shannon Airport: On exiting the airport take the N18 to Ennis. From Ennis take the N85 to Ennistymon and from Ennistymon take the N67 to Lisdoonvarna.
By car from Galway: Take the N18 southwards from Galway. In Kilcolgan take a right turn onto the N67; go through Kinvara and then Ballyvaughan headed towards Lisdoonvarna. Journey of 40 miles (1 hour +).