Shannon Airport is seen as the gateway to the America’s and is the second largest airport in Ireland, after Dublin. It has on average 1,750,000 passengers pass through each year. Shannon is a small industrial town in the south west of Ireland. Car hire at Shannon Airport is a must, to discover everything that this part of Ireland has to offer and the town is just a 5 minute drive using the N19 route.
Shannon Airport is small and convenient with everything you could need for your journey. Flights are available from London and New York, making the airport a gateway to the United States. It is one of the few airports that have US border pre-clearance, so at an advantage for travellers to and from the USA. There is an ATM and a currency exchange service for your Euros or dollars and free Wi-Fi, so you can search the internet or check emails while you wait for your flight. There is an executive lounge for holders of first or business class tickets, where you can relax or work and have some light refreshments. The airport has 11 shops in total including a newsagents and gift shop for those last minute buys and souvenirs. Duty free shopping is also available and there is a tourist information office, if you wish to find out more about the local area. If you missed lunch, you can head for any of the 4 outlets that include the Sheridan Food Pub and the Atlantic Coffee Company.
Shannon is a small industrial town in County Clare and there are few attractions in the town. You can visit the Atlantic Airventure Aviation Centre next to the airport, to learn more about aircraft and the world of aviation. If this is not your thing, you can hit the shops at the Skycourt Shopping Centre and look for bargains. Shannon is an ideal base for exploring County Clare and this part of Ireland, so car hire in Shannon is recommended.
Further afield with your car hire from Shannon Airport, you can visit the West Clare Railway and Heritage Centre, near Kilrush and head for Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for a whole day out of town. You must drive out to the incredible Cliffs of Moher and see the amazing limestone landscape of The Burren. Doolin Cave is another attraction worth visiting in this attractive part of Ireland.
