Tulla: History, Music and Lakes

Tulla sits on a steep slope and is known as the Clare Lakelands. Several small lakes surround the village, while historic traces and traditional music also shape the character of this destination. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Tulla, you can choose what to focus on during your holiday, whether that is local history, hurling, music, fishing or walking.

Lakes and landscape around Tulla

The small lakes in the surrounding area give Tulla a strong connection to the landscape. Fishing is also part of the village’s character: Tulla is an important centre for this activity. If you are interested in fishing, that is another reason to consider Tulla as a destination.

The steep slope on which Tulla is situated is another distinctive feature of the village’s setting. This is a useful point of reference if you would first like to get a sense of the place. You can combine the landscape with culture and history, without limiting your holiday to a single theme.

Historic traces in the village

The Tulla Historical and Cultural Trail leads through the village to historic buildings, sights and references to the past. It offers a thematic way to explore Tulla: rather than simply noting individual names, you can discover the village’s various historical connections along the trail. The Cnoc na Gaoithe Cultural Centre is housed in a former monastery building. St. Mochulla’s Graveyard is located on the ruins of a monastery dating from the 7th century. These two places recall Tulla’s religious history in different ways.

Fortane Castle is also among the historic places to visit nearby. The ruins of a 16th-century tower house lie one kilometre east of Tulla. The historic trail in the village and these ruins beyond it offer different points of focus: the trail features buildings and references to Tulla’s past, while the ruins are those of a specific tower house. If you are interested in history, you can take these themes into account when choosing your destination.

Walking and active excursions

The 12 O’Clock Hills lie ten kilometres south of Tulla. There are three waymarked, self-guided walking trails there. The number of trails and their waymarking give you a specific choice for a day’s walking; their location south of the village is also an important point to consider if you would like to include this area in your choice of where to stay.

For a longer walking trip, the East Clare Way is an option. It can be walked over eight days, with individual stages ranging from ten to 30 kilometres. It also connects with the Mid Clare Way. This makes it different from the three self-guided routes in the 12 O’Clock Hills: the East Clare Way is designed to be walked over several days, while the Hills offer a choice of waymarked routes in one location. The stated stage lengths can help you factor the walking trip into your plans.

Traditional music and hurling

Music is also part of Tulla’s distinctive character. The village is home to the internationally renowned Tulla Céilí Band. You can enjoy lively traditional music sessions in Tulla’s pubs throughout the year. There is also the annual Féile Chnoc na Gaoithe, a festival of traditional music, singing and dancing. The band, pub sessions and festival offer different ways to experience music: a well-known band, regular sessions and an annual celebration.

Another local tradition is hurling. Tulla GAA welcomes visitors who would like to experience the game as one of Ireland’s oldest sporting traditions. Tulla GAA was founded in 1885. If you want to discover the culture not only through historic places but also through music and sport, these activities offer a broader view of the village. You can choose a holiday rental in Tulla based on the experiences that interest you most for your trip.

More village pages: Miltown Malbay, Fanore, Killinaboy, Boston, Liscannor, Kilfenora, Carron and Bodyke.

For the broader travel overview: County Clare.