The Burren, Ireland's ancient landscape
October 29, 2022
The Burren
Often likened to the surface of the moon, the 330 million year old limestone pavements of the Burren that span over 250 square kilometres and stretch to touch the sea on the Wild Atlantic Way, is a picturesque area of northern Clare.
There is so much to see and do in this area that it recently received a Lonely Planet award ‘Best in Travel' for 2021 for its Burren Eco Tourism Network and it is also a designated UNESCO Global Geopark.
Lonely Planet describes the Burren Eco Tourism Network as an impressive community collaboration which has "transformed Ireland's Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark into a global leader for sustainable tourism".
The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. Shaped beneath ancient seas, this wind-swept area of Clare seems deceivingly baron but there is an exceptional amount of protected wildflowers, flora and wildlife to be seen.
The Burren National Park is located in the south-eastern part of the Burren and is an area of conservation and for public access, it contains examples of all the major habitats of this area such as Limestone Pavement, Calcareous Grassland, Hazel scrub, Ash/Hazel Woodland, Turloughs, Lakes, Petrifying Springs, Cliffs and Fen.
Exploring the Burren
There are many villages to explore throughout the region which include Doolin, Kilfenora and Ballyvaughan.
Just South of Ballyvaughan is Corkscrew Hill where there are many prehistoric sites to be seen, such as, Poulnabrone Dolmen which was built more than 5000 years ago, Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb-a grave site which dates from 4000 to 5000 years ago and Caherconnell Fort which dates from the late Iron Age–early Christian period, which also has a visitor centre that has information on many other monuments in the area.
There are many other beautiful historic sites to see such as Dysert O'Dea in Corofin, a 15th-century Castle which houses the Clare Archaeology Centre, has a rooftop castle walk, a museum, a tearoom, a bookshop and a 5km history trail around the castle which passes many ancient monuments such as ring forts, high crosses and even a prehistoric cooking site.
Some castle ruins which dot the landscape are Corcomroe Abbey in New Quay which dates to1195 and is said to house Conor na Siudaine O'Brien, the King of Thomond tomb in the northern wall and also has some striking architectural features and Romanesque carvings.
Kilfenora Cathedral built in 1189 and Leamaneh Castle built in 1480 which is said to be haunted are worth a visit, and Doonagore Castle in Doolin which dates from the 16th century was restored in the 1970’s and is privately owned, is beautiful to see nestled into the stunning surrounding landscape.
Things to see & do in the Burren
In this area of Clare there are many activities to be enjoyed while taking in the history and beauty of the area. A visit to the Burren Centre in Kilfenora, and Clare Heritage Centre Interpretative Museum in Corofin will help you to learn more about the environment and history of the area.
The Burren is a walkers paradise and offers wonderful water sports, guided cave tours and cycling trails.
For walkers there are a number of well marked walking trails in the Burren National Park which can vary from short thirty minute loop walks to a three hour walks over limestone hills. Each trail is signposted with colour-coded markers.
Or if you prefer guided walks they can be booked with the Burren Experience Guided Walks with guide Marie McGauran who lives in the heart of the Burren.
You could see the Burren on two wheels and hire an electric or regular bicycle from E-whizz in Kilfenora, which also offers electric bike tours.
Or if you prefer to see the Burren from a different perspective you could take a sea kayaking tour with the North Clare Sea Kayaking Tour Company or book a tour with the Doolin Ferry Company and explore the rugged coastline of the Geopark.
Some other places of interest in this area are the Burren Nature Sanctuary, the Aillwee and Doolin caves, the cliffs of Moher and the Burren Perfumery & Floral Centre. You can watch chocolate being made in Hazel Mountain Chocolate, pet the goats that create the award winning St Tola Irish Goat Cheese, and visit Father Ted's House which was the film location for the popular comedy Father Ted.
Join your hosts Cathal O’Rourke, a fifth-generation farmer and his wife Bronagh, a regional eco tour guide, to explore their working family farm in the Burren. Be awe-inspired by dramatic lunar-like landscapes, ancient woodlands and archaeological sites, glistening lakes and habitats teeming with wildlife and rare plant species unique to the region.
The story of Aillwee Cave began millions of years ago when the landscape was very different to that which we see today. Aillwee is one of the most ancient caves in the Burren and perhaps in Ireland.
