The Shire, a Lord of the Rings inspired bar, cafe, and hotel in Killarney, Ireland, is an absolute must for LOTR fans.
Middle Earth may be impossible to reach and New Zealand, where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed, is a bit hard to get to, but visitors to Ireland can get the full LOTR travel experience in the lovely town of Killarney in County Kerry.
Already an immensely popular tourist attraction in its own right, Killarney is also home to The Shire cafe, bar, and hotel - a hobbit experience like none other.
Read More: Hobbit-style dream home for rent in County Donegal
The Shire was founded in 2014 by "Head of the Hobbits" Ollie Flavier.
At the time, he said his idea for The Shire could be traced back to the release of the second and third movies, when he and his brothers, who are of small stature, became known locally as the Hobbits, and their signature cocktail was coined ‘Hobbit-juice.’
Read More: For Hobbit Day, learn about the Irish influence on Lord of the Rings
"I'm vertically challenged and was dubbed The Hobbit by my mates," he says.
"I thought why not roll with it and now I'm having the last laugh.”
This Tolkien fan's paradise now includes a cafe open from 8am - 9:30pm for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; a bar with special Shire beers, cocktails, and shots; and a townhouse for accommodation, where you can book either a private or dorm-style room.
View this post on InstagramShe is a beaut #theshire #theshirecafe #killarney #killarneybrewingcompany #shirered
Guests receive a discount at The Shire cafe for breakfast and can enjoy the convenience of staying in the heart of Killarney, the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the town itself in addition to the Killarney Lakelands, Killarney National Park, and the Ring of Kerry.
With traditional Irish music sessions four nights a week and comedy two nights, The Shire bar has hobbit-approved entertainment, too.
Are you planning a vacation in Ireland? Looking for advice or want to share some great memories? Join our Irish travel Facebook group.
Would you want to stay at The Shire? Tell us in the comment section or on social media.
Comments