How to Visit Corcomroe Abbey
Read our travel guide on Corcomroe Abbey in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
Corcomroe Abbey is one of the hidden gems of the Burren.
Situated in the northwest of County Clare, this area is mostly known for its unique geological features and places such as the Burren National Park, Fanore Beach, and Doolin Cave.
There is also plenty of history to see as well, ranging from the megalithic structures such as Poulnabrone Dolmen and Caherconnell Stone Fort to medieval abbeys and monasteries.
Today, our Ireland road trip brought us to Corcomroe Abbey, a small heritage site tucked away on the northeast edge of the Burren.
Visiting off-the-beaten-path places is always a fun experience. The more we travel, the more we appreciate similar places.
And this charming little place hidden from the eyes of the tourist crowds was no exception.
So here's everything you should know about Corcomroe Abbey before you go.
How to Visit Corcomroe Abbey
A visit to Corcomroe Abbey is very easy and straightforward.
After hiking the Mullaghmore Loop in the nearby national park, we were looking for a nice and easy stop on the way to County Galway.
Our Ireland road trip itinerary was quite flexible, so we did some last-minute research, and our choice fell on Corcomroe Abbey.
We weren't sure what to expect as this was not the most popular stop along the way, but we quickly found out it was exactly what we were looking for.
A small, quiet, and cute site drenched in history.
History
Known as Sancta Maria de Petra Fertili, Corcomroe is a Cistercian abbey located near Bell Harbour in County Clare.
It's believed to be built at the end of the 12th century by Donal Mor Ua Briain, who commissioned many similar structures in this region.
The Cistercian monks came to Ireland in 1142 and lived in monasteries in remote and isolated locations.
A fertile valley protected by barren rock hills of the Burren is a perfect example.
With the nave and aisles, presbytery with vaulted roof, and transepts with small chapels, the Corcomroe Abbey has a typical Cistercian design.
In the north wall, you can find an effigy of King Conor na Siudaine Ua Briain, one of the few remaining examples of an Irish Chieftain.
Unfortunately, this area was not accessible during our visit.
By the 15th century, it fell into decline and was shortened by 13 meters as some quarters were no longer in use.
The last record of monks living in the abbey is from the 17th century.
Today, the abbey is known for its intricate carvings of human faces and animals and overall decoration. The small cemetery is still in use.
If you're interested in arts, you should know that the abbey appears in The Dreaming of Bones, a play by W.B. Yeats. Today, the Office of Public Works manages this site.
Corcomroe Abbey
Unlike the Glendalough Monastic Site or nearby Kilmacduagh Abbey, this tiny complex has no round tower, but that's honestly no reason to skip this place.
Even though Corcomroe Abbey is technically a ruin, it's still allowed to go inside and explore the grounds, even without a guide.
As we arrived here in the late afternoon, the abbey was pretty much deserted, except for a young couple who left shortly after our arrival.
One of the strangest things about Ireland's castles and abbeys is that even though most of them look very similar, they all have a unique feel.
In this case, it's probably the setting in the lush green countryside with the grey hills of the Burren in the background.
Opening Hours
There are no opening times at Corcomroe Abbey.
Even though it is technically open all day, it makes sense to visit during the daytime.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Corcomroe Abbey.
If you're visiting Ireland on a budget, this might be another contributing factor to adding this place to your itinerary.
How Much Time Do I Need
Corcomroe Abbey is a little site that can be easily explored in less than an hour (including the short drive from the main road), though some visitors can spend as little as 30 minutes here.
When to Go
There is no best time to visit Corcomroe Abbey, as you can explore it any time of the year.
Weatherwise, summer is the best time to visit Ireland, but some places get really busy.
Spring and autumn very well may be a better alternative, but the weather is more unpredictable.
The weather during Ireland's winter can often be quite miserable, but the main upside is the lack of crowds at main tourist sites.
What to Pack
The abbey is right next to the parking lot, so bring clothes according to the current weather.
In May, we wore comfy shoes, pants, and a rain jacket.
Here you will find our complete Ireland packing list.
How to Get There
The abbey is only a short detour from the N67, which is part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
The easiest way to get to Corcomroe Abbey is by car.
If you're worried about driving in Ireland, read our guide to find out more on this topic.
Similarly, we created this post on renting a car in Ireland that is packed with information.
Car
Corcomroe Abbey sits on the end of Corcomroe Road, about 40 kilometers south of Galway.
Limerick is less than 80 kilometers south of the abbey. You can get there in less than three hours from Dublin.
Both N67 and L1014 are two-lane roads, so the only part where you need to slow down and pay more attention is the narrow Corcomroe Road.
Fortunately, the stretch between Corcomroe Abbey and Bealaclugga is only 1.5 kilometers long, so there's nothing to worry about.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
There is free parking at Corcomroe Abbey. The parking lot is not large but sufficient.
Public Transport
Surprisingly, getting to Corcomroe Abbey by bus is not completely out of the question.
Bus 350 is run by Bus Eireann and connects Galway and Ennis.
Bell Harbour in Bealaclugga is the nearest bus stop to Corcomroe Abbey.
As mentioned above, the abbey is about 1.5 kilometers from the settlement and can be easily reached on foot.
This is a narrow road with little traffic, so the walk should be very straightforward and quite safe.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation near Corcomroe Abbey, we believe the safest bet is Galway.
This is a large tourist city with plenty of accommodation options for every budget.
Alternatively, you can reserve a room in one of the bed and breakfasts scattered along Burren's countryside for a quiet experience.
Just don't forget to book early when visiting Ireland during the peak season.
Kinvara | Fallon's Bed and Breakfast - Set in the picturesque village of Kinvara, about a 15-minute drive from the abbey, this family-run bed and breakfast features a quiet location, cozy en suite rooms, a full Irish breakfast, and free private parking.
Ballyvaughan | The Waters Country House - Situated also a 15-minute drive from Corcomroe, this charming guest house has a quiet and peaceful location and grounds, cozy, rustic, cozy rooms, friendly hosts, and free parking.
Galway | Skeffington Arms Hotel - Situated in the heart of Galway on Eyre Square, this hotel has a fantastic location, a stylish restaurant, a vibrant bar, and discounted parking at nearby Q-Park.
Staying Safe
In general, Corcomroe Abbey is a safe place to visit.
A part of the abbey was fenced off, so don't ignore the barriers and stay in the designated areas.
If you're interested in this topic, read our post on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Corcomroe Abbey Worth Visiting?
Even though this is no Muckross Abbey or Kylemore Abbey, we believe the Corcomroe Abbey is worth seeing, at least when you're in the area.
Sure, driving here from Cork or Killarney doesn't make much sense.
The abbeys of Ireland are very similar, and it's worth exploring the sites within your area first.
But if you're traveling from Cliffs of Moher to Galway or vice versa, this is a nice little stop along the way.
With easy access and free parking, this abbey is a great place to get away from the crowds and learn more about Irish history.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
