natural wonder
The Burren
Unique lunar-like karst landscape of 250 square kilometres where Mediterranean and Arctic-Alpine flowers grow side by side in limestone pavements.
49 km · about 55 min drive
EuropeIrelandMunster
Ballina
Munster, Ireland · Europe
About Ballina
Ballina sits on the route: 20 minutes from Newport, 49km from The Burren.
Ballina is in Munster, Ireland, with about 2,400 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Newport, about 11 km away.
Ballina (historically Bellanaha), from Irish: Béal an Átha, meaning 'mouth of the ford', is a census town that lies on the River Shannon in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is situated on the eastern shore of Lough Derg across from its 'twin-town' of Killaloe on the west bank of the lake. The towns are joined by KillaloeRead more
Bridge.
The annual Brian Boru Festival takes place in early July each year. A joint celebration between the two towns of the ancient High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, it involves many community-based activities including a hurling match between the teams from both towns.
Ballina has a primary school, Ballina National School, with the nearest secondary school, St. Anne's Community College, present in Killaloe.
Where to Stay in Ballina
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Ballina?
Within an hour or so of Ballina: The Burren (49 km), Rock of Cashel (49 km), Burren National Park (49 km), Corkscrew Hill (53 km).
Are there any good drives near Ballina?
The nearest famous roads are Corkscrew Hill, Wild Atlantic Way and The Vee.
Where is Ballina?
Ballina is in Munster, Ireland, about 11 km from Newport.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 2,442
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Munster
- Timezone
- Europe/Dublin
- Coordinates
- 52.8078, -8.4356
Tags
Worth the detour from Ballina
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
Rock of Cashel
Spectacular group of medieval buildings perched on a limestone outcrop in Tipperary, including a round tower, Romanesque chapel and Gothic cathedral.
49 km · about 55 min drive
national park
Burren National Park
Protected area of the Burren's extraordinary limestone landscape, where rare orchids bloom between ancient dolmens and ring forts.
49 km · about 55 min drive
famous road
Corkscrew Hill
A zigzag climb on the N67 out of Ballyvaughan, built as famine relief work, with a viewpoint over the Burren at the top.
53 km · about 60 min drive
cafe
Moran's Oyster Cottage
A thatched cottage restaurant on the shore of Kilcolgan estuary serving fresh oysters since 1760, a legendary detour on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.
54 km · about 65 min drive
ancient ruins
Poulnabrone Dolmen
A striking 5,000-year-old portal tomb standing stark against the limestone pavement of the Burren.
54 km · about 65 min drive
natural wonder
Aillwee Cave
A show cave in the Burren with an underground waterfall and hollows where brown bears once hibernated.
56 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Ballina
- 53 kmCorkscrew HillA zigzag climb on the N67 out of Ballyvaughan, built as famine relief work, with a viewpoint over the Burren at the top.
- 66 kmWild Atlantic Way2,500 km coastal route along Ireland's rugged western seaboard
- 68 kmBlack Head, BurrenA bare limestone headland on the Burren coast with a small lighthouse, looking across Galway Bay to Connemara.
- 69 kmCliffs of Moher Viewing PlatformIreland's most visited natural attraction with 700-foot sea cliffs stretching for 8 miles along the Atlantic coast of County Clare.
- 70 kmThe VeeV-shaped hairpin pass on the R668 climbing to 610m through the Knockmealdown Gap between Clogheen and Lismore, ablaze with rhododendron in late May. Overlooks Bay Lough and the Golden Vale patchwork below.
- 71 kmCliffs of Moher Coastal WalkDramatic 20km trail along the cliff edge from Hags Head to Doolin, offering ever-changing perspectives of Ireland's most famous sea cliffs.
Driving in Ireland
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€2.10/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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