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the area, Gus O'Connor's Pub is the most popular with
tourists. There's a centrally located snug where people
from around the world meet informally to perform together
in a traditional seisiún, music session.
Some of the famous landmarks around Doolin include the
, craft stores and Doonagore Castle.
A particularly special place is Doolin Point, which is
located at the end of Fisherstreet and where visitors
can get the ferry to the Aran Islands in the summer months.
Doolin Point isn't so much a beach as it is a miracle
of Mother Nature. The source of the Aille River is in
the Burren on Sliebh Elva. It flows down the mountain
and through the famous spa town of Lisdoonvarna and into
Doolin where it continues into the sea at Doolin Point.
The blend of fresh and salt was makes a perfect habitat
for the millions of mussels that cling to the unusual
limestone formations on the shore. Crystal clear tidal
water pools settle in the fissures and create unusual
geometric designs.
Huge slabs of limestone rest at angles on top of massive
limestone slabs that look like giant's steps going down
into the sea.
Speaking of giant's, one of Doolin's most famous music
giants was the late, great Micho Russell. He was born
on the hill overlooking Doolin in 1915 in an area called
Doonagore. The Russell family, like the O'Connor's, resided
in Doolin before Famine times. Micho was born into a musical
family as the eldest of five children. It was in 1973
that Micho won the All-Ireland Tin Whistle Competition.
He was most noted for his style of playing, for the variety
and inventive "rhythmic orientation" and surprising
stops. He created a rare sort of rapport with his audience
which added an iconic dimension to his act that others
have tried and failed to emulate.
Micho remained popular in his native county even as he
toured around Europe and the Unites States. He was also
a teacher who was noted for being patient with even his
most trying students. And he was a favorite participant
at the Willie Clancy Summer School held annually in the
nearby town of Miltown Malbay.
It was a sad day on 19 February 1994 that Micho lost
his life in a road accident. As a tribute to his life,
the locals in Doolin built the Micho Russell Community
Centre where a tribute festival has been held every year
on the anniversary of his death. However, the Russell
family requested that the name of the festival be changed
from the Micho Russell Festival to the to honor not just Micho but also
his brothers Packie (1920-1977) and Gussie (1917-2004)
who were also well loved musicians in Doolin.
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Uneven surfaces at Doolin Point
and on limestone fissures 