Situated in the heart of County Clare, the bustling market town of Ennis offers visitors a maze of cobblestone streets, historic buildings and traditional Irish music culture. Just a 25-minute drive north of Shannon Airport, Ennis is also a natural springboard for discovering Ireland’s breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way and Cliffs of Moher.

Shannon Airport is the gateway to some of the best driving routes in the world. Whether you plan to take a weekend trip or spread your itinerary over several days, this region is one of Ireland’s most exciting destinations – for good reason.

The route north from the airport will take you in the direction of Clare, Galway, Mayo and Donegal, while the route south connects you with Kerry and Cork.

Limerick and county Clare are both within easy driving distance from the airport, and Shannon’s close proximity to Galway and Burren places you in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way. This area of outstanding beauty will take your breath away, revealing untamed landscapes, spectacular coastlines, picturesque villages and unspoilt beaches.

Those interested in history may wish to visit one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks, Bunratty Castle, a 15-minute drive from Shannon Airport via the N19 and N18. From there, it’s only another 15 minutes further on the N18 to the fabulous city of Limerick. Here visitors can enjoy an authentic slice of Ireland, with its 13th century castle, friendly pubs and Georgian architecture.

There’s no greater feeling than being your own boss on the open road. With an Avis hire car you can forge your own trail to uncover the most impressive sights and routes from Shannon Airport.

Finding our car hire facility at Shannon Airport couldn’t be easier. We’re located near the entrance/exit to the Arrivals hall, on the ground floor.

The airport is situated in County Clare on Ireland’s west coast, an ideal point of arrival for exploring the west and southwest. It is clearly signposted and easily accessible from every direction.

It lies approximately 15 miles from Limerick and 14 miles from Ennis. Dublin can be reached via the M7 eastbound, Clare/Galway via the M18 northbound and Limerick via the N18 southbound. Take the N20 southbound for Cork, the N21 southbound for Kerry and the N24 eastbound for Tipperary/Waterford.

The speed limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h (31 mph), 60-100 km/h (37–62 mph) outside built-up areas (keep an eye out for signs) and 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways.

Services and optional extras

Avis Preferred: Our customer loyalty programme, now more attractive than ever, offers a wide range of benefits and exclusive offers. Membership is free and you can join the scheme online, from the comfort of your own home.

Out-of-hours return: A service that is designed to fit in with all flight times and allow you full flexibility when booking your flights.

Breakdown assistance: We want your trip to go without a hitch and that’s why we service our vehicles to very high standards prior to hading you your keys. In the real world, however, we all know that things don’t always go according to plan. In the event of a breakdown in one of our vehicles, just ring our freephone number for roadside assistance, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Optional extras

Child seats: We can supply you with child seats to comply with Ireland’s safety laws and keep your little ones secure.

Satellite navigation: You’ll also find our GPS system invaluable for reaching out-of-the-way spots and travelling along remote country roads – in the right direction!