The vast, lunar like Burren is one of Ireland’s most jaw-dropping landscapes.
The word “Burren” comes from the Irish word “Boireann” meaning “rocky place”. Covering an area of approximately 360sq kilometres, The Burren stretches from north county Clare to east Galway. It is a place where the wild Atlantic Ocean meets Europe, its fierceness matched by the Burren’s richness and its fertile rock. The landscape of the Burren has been shaped by geological forces for hundreds of millions of years. The rocks that form the landscape were all formed during the Carboniferous period between 359 and 299 million years ago.
The limestone pavement of the Burren is part of Europe’s largest karst landscape. This limestone covers most of the Burren National Park although usually intertwined with other habitats. In some places the limestone is over 780 metres thick! At first glance the Burren might look like rock and nothing else! However, it is home to a very complex ecosystem where limestone pavements mix with calcareous grassland and their extraordinary flora, deciduous woodland found in the dry valleys, hazel scrub which provides shelter for many animals like badgers, pine martins, foxes and shrews, as well as turloughs and lakes. Amazingly, 23 of Ireland’s 27 orchid species can be found in the Burren.
For botanists, it is one of the most fascinating regions of Western Europe. The Burren limestone provides ideal conditions for heather to grow, while some plant species usually found in sub-arctic areas can be found growing alongside those usually found in the Mediterranean.
Visitors are free to hike and walk throughout the park and there are several walking trails varying from a short 30-minute loop walk to a three-hour trek over limestone hills. A walking trails map can be downloaded from the national parks website www.nationalparks.ie. Each trail is colour coded. Be sure to take care as the limestone landscape can be rugged, uneven and steep in places.
Guided walks covering topics such as Burren flora, fauna and geology can be arranged, and booking is required as places are limited. www.nationalparks.ie. The Burren National Park Information Point can be found in the village of Corofin (V95VX83)
For such a stark looking place, the Burren has a poetic beauty that has stolen the hearts and minds of poets, painters and writers, and you will feel it as you walk along its golden beaches backed by the limestone hills and as you walk over the rocky landscape that tumbles down to meet the wild Atlantic waters. It is a place of tradition, music, adventure and great food and of course, that good ol’ Irish ‘craic’. Villages such as Doolin, Lahinch and Lisdoonvarna are renowned for traditional music and sessions featuring a mix of slow airs, hearty jigs and thought-provoking songs take place nightly across many bars and venues.
The Burren boasts a fantastic variety of locally farmed and produced foods along with some of the best chefs in Ireland. The popular Burren Food Trail allows you to visit different food providers, producers, attractions and activities. Order the Burren Tour signature dish at each location mentioned to get the best of each featured venue.
Details of the trails available can be found at www.burren.ie
