Hidden away from the sea in a sheltered part of the Burren lies Corcomroe Abbey, which was a Cistercian Abbey. A colony of monks arrived at Corcomroe some time between 1194 and 1195. The founder cannot be verified but is thought to be either Donal Mor O’Brien, king of Limerick, or his son Donough Cairbreach. The abbey was situated amidst the mountains of the Burren, and its Latin name was inspired by the local environment: ‘Sancta Maria de Petra Fertili’, St. Mary of the fertile rock.
Corcomroe is aprroached either via Bell Harbour, a tiny Clare seaside village or via the road through the Burren hills from Kinvara. The latter affords great views of Galway Bay, looking across to Kinvara, Doorus and the city itself
