Bunratty Castle (Gaelic: Caisleán Bhun Raithe, meaning "Castle at the Mouth of the Ratty") is a large tower house which lies in the centre of Bunratty village (Irish: Bun Ráite), close to Shannon Airport. The name Bunratty, Bun Raite (or possibly, Bun na Raite) in Irish, means the 'bottom' or end of the 'Ratty' river.
Ballyvaughan (Irish: Baile Uí Bheacháin, meaning "Ó Beachán's townland") is a small harbor village located on the south shores of Galway Bay in the northwest corner of The Burren. This position on the coast road and the close proximity to many of the area's sights have turned the village into a local center of tourism activity.