Garda Station Locations and Contact Information Across County Clare

You need a Garda station at ten o'clock on a Tuesday night. The station you thought was open has dark windows. The phone number you found online rings out. County Clare runs on a network of full-time and part-time stations, and knowing which is which before you drive across the county saves frustration and fuel.

This guide lists every public Garda station in Clare, with addresses, contact numbers, and the hours each operates. Some stations open daily. Others open a few mornings a week. The difference matters when you need to report a theft, collect a lost item, or lodge a formal statement.

Full-time stations: Ennis and the regional hubs

Ennis Garda Station anchors policing in Clare. It sits on Station Road, postcode V95 A6PK, and operates around the clock every day of the year. The public office telephone is 065 684 8100. If you arrive outside public office hours, a night bell connects you to the duty officer. Ennis handles serious crime investigation, road traffic collision reports, and district court paperwork for the county.

Shannon Garda Station on the Airport Road (V14 E157) also runs full-time public hours, telephone 061 365 900. Because Shannon sits beside the airport and industrial estates, the station processes work permits, visa queries, and commercial fraud reports alongside routine policing. Kilrush station on Frances Street (V15 ED89), telephone 065 908 0550, covers the Loop Head peninsula and opens daily with extended weekday hours.

These three stations accept walk-in reports at any reasonable hour and hold custody facilities when arrests require overnight detention. If you need immediate police assistance anywhere in Clare, dialling 999 or 112 routes your call to the regional control room, which dispatches the nearest patrol regardless of station boundaries.

Part-time stations and their weekly schedules

Ennistymon Garda Station on Parliament Street (V95 X9RP), telephone 065 707 2180, opens Monday to Friday mornings and some afternoons. The exact hours shift with staffing rosters, so ringing ahead confirms availability. Ennistymon serves the north Clare coast, including Lahinch, Liscannor, and Doolin. If the public office is closed, patrols still operate from the building and respond to calls.

Kilkee station on O'Curry Street (V15 PK93), telephone 065 905 6002, follows a similar part-time pattern, with morning and early afternoon hours most weekdays. Summer brings longer hours because of the beach crowds and holiday traffic. Killaloe station on Main Street (V94 KF9C), telephone 061 376 112, opens mornings and selected afternoons, covering the eastern lakeshore and the bridge into Tipperary.

Smaller stations like Ballyvaughan (065 707 7113), Corofin (065 683 7113), and Scariff (061 921 013) open one or two mornings a week. These stations handle local queries, issue firearm certificates, and take statements by appointment. Missing the narrow window means driving to Ennis or waiting until the next scheduled opening.

What you can do at a Garda station

Every station accepts reports of crime, from stolen bicycles to burglary. Bring any evidence you have: photographs, receipts, serial numbers. The Garda on duty will give you an incident reference number, which you need for insurance claims and follow-up inquiries. Some stations print the reference slip immediately; others email it within a day.

Lost property goes to the nearest station. If you find a wallet, phone, or keys, handing them in creates a logged record. If you lose something, check the station covering the area where you think it went missing. Items stay on the lost property shelf for three months before disposal or auction.

Visa and immigration appointments happen at Ennis or Shannon. Bring your passport, proof of address, and any Home Office correspondence. The immigration officer works set hours, usually weekday mornings, so booking by phone avoids a wasted trip. Firearm and shotgun certificate renewals also require an in-person visit, often to your local part-time station by appointment.

When the nearest station is closed

Emergencies always go to 999 or 112. The operator will ask which service you need. Say Garda. The call connects to the regional control room, which has live GPS tracking of every patrol car and can send the closest unit whether or not a station is open nearby.

Non-urgent matters can wait until the next opening or be reported online through the Garda website. The online portal accepts reports of minor road traffic collisions with no injuries, lost property, and some public order complaints. You receive an email acknowledgement and a reference number within two working days.

If you need to speak to a specific detective or follow up on a case, ask the public office for the officer's direct email or mobile. Many Gardaí give out business cards with contact details. Leaving a message at a closed station rarely gets a swift reply because voicemail checks happen irregularly.

Parking, accessibility, and what to bring

Ennis station has a small public car park off Station Road. It fills quickly on weekday mornings. Street parking on Abbey Street or the multi-storey on Lifford Road are fallback options within two minutes' walk. Shannon station has ample parking in front of the building. Kilrush and Ennistymon have on-street spaces nearby, usually free but time-limited.

All main stations have step-free access and accessible toilets. Smaller part-time stations occupy older buildings; Ballyvaughan and Corofin have steps at the entrance. If mobility is a concern, phone ahead and the Garda will meet you at the door or arrange a home visit for statements.

Bring photo ID for any formal report or application. A driving licence or passport works. If you are reporting a crime, bring any documentation: bank statements showing fraudulent transactions, photographs of damage, witness names and phone numbers. The more you bring, the faster the process.

Community policing and local contact points

Each district has a community policing sergeant who attends residents' association meetings, school events, and business forums. These sergeants publish mobile numbers and email addresses on parish noticeboards and local authority websites. Contacting them directly often resolves neighbourhood disputes, parking complaints, and anti-social behaviour faster than walking into a station.

Text alert schemes operate across Clare, linking Garda intelligence with community WhatsApp groups. When a spate of burglaries hits a townland, the local sergeant sends a warning message with prevention tips. Joining a scheme requires registering through your residents' association or the Garda community engagement officer in Ennis.

County Clare sits within the Clare Garda Division, which also covers parts of north Limerick for administrative purposes. The divisional headquarters is in Ennis. If you need to escalate a complaint or speak to a superintendent, the main switchboard at 065 684 8100 will transfer your call.

Key facts

• Ennis, Shannon, and Kilrush are the only 24-hour public-access stations in Clare.
• Part-time stations may open as few as two mornings per week.
• Lost property is held for three months before disposal.
• The Clare Garda Division headquarters is in Ennis on Station Road.
• Text alert schemes connect local Gardaí with community groups for crime prevention.

Can I report a crime online instead of visiting a station?

Yes, for minor incidents with no injuries. The Garda website has an online reporting form. You receive an email reference number within two working days. Serious crimes, assaults, and anything requiring immediate action must go through 999 or a station visit.

What happens if I arrive at a closed part-time station?

Patrols still operate from the building even when the public office is shut. For emergencies, dial 999. For non-urgent matters, phone the station number and leave a message, or drive to the nearest full-time station in Ennis, Shannon, or Kilrush.

Do I need an appointment for immigration queries?

Usually yes, especially at Shannon. Phone ahead to book a slot with the immigration officer. Bring your passport, proof of address, and any correspondence from the Department of Justice. Walk-ins are accepted if an officer is free, but expect a wait.

Related reading: clare county council · clare county council