Short-term letting in Lahinch, Ennistymon and north Clare

North-west Clare packs a lot into a short stretch of coast. Lahinch draws surfers and golfers, Liscannor sits below the Cliffs of Moher, Ennistymon has its cascades and market-town streets, and Kilfenora opens onto the limestone of the Burren. Summer is busy, the shoulder seasons are carried by surf and golf, and winter is quiet. Holiday homes and small estates of seaside houses make up a large part of the stock.

Planning in small towns

None of these places comes near the 20,000-resident threshold set in the June 2026 National Planning Statement, which in County Clare catches only Ennis. Clare County Council therefore weighs each short-let application on its merits. Two tests deserve attention here: whether short lets are already concentrated in a given estate, a real issue in Lahinch where holiday homes cluster, and whether the area shows high housing need. Scenic and coastal designations in the county development plan may also shape decisions.

Where owners stand

• Already letting without permission: two years to regularise, under the rules for places of 20,000 people or fewer.
• Letting for seven years or more without enforcement: a presumption in favour of permission.
• Your own home: rooms while you live there, or the whole house for up to 90 days a year while away, without permission once notified.

Holiday homes built in estates sometimes carry conditions limiting their use; check yours before applying.

Register and tax

From 1 December 2026, the planned opening date, every unit let for up to 21 nights must be on Fáilte Ireland's register, with its number displayed on each listing. Regular commercial letting is taxed as a trade, allowing capital allowances on furnishings; occasional letting is taxed as other income.

What we suggest

In north Clare, the strongest applications show that a property serves tourism without taking a home from the local market. Assemble the planning history and a record of use now. Tell us where your property is; we study every request and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.

Doolin, big waves and the Burren edge

Doolin, at the northern end of this barony, adds something the other villages do not: boats to Inis Oírr and the other Aran Islands in season, cruises under the cliffs, and a reputation for traditional music that brings visitors for several nights at a time. The Cliffs of Moher coastal walk links Doolin to Liscannor along the clifftop, and walkers who do it in stages look for somewhere to stay at either end.

Surfing here is not only for beginners. Lahinch beach hosts surf schools most of the year, while Aileen's, the big-wave reef below the cliffs, draws experienced surfers and film crews when winter swells arrive. Lahinch's links course has hosted major amateur and professional golf, and golfing groups book early. Kilfenora has the Burren Centre and a céilí band tradition of its own, a quieter base for people exploring the limestone pavement.

• An outdoor tap or shower and a drying space for wetsuits save floors and towels.
• Golf groups expect storage for clubs and a hearty breakfast option.
• Music visitors keep late hours; houses away from bedrooms of neighbours avoid friction.

A practical note: coastal roads around the cliffs are busy with coaches in high summer, so arrival times and parking should be explained before guests set off.