The Burren
Situated in North Clare, the Burren extends for over 360 km2 . It is an extremely unique landscape recognised worldwide for its richness in Archaeology, Geology, Hydrology, Ecology and Flora & Fauna. Often described as the fertile rock, the Burren is made up of exposed limestone, light rendzina soil and rich farming land.
Archaeology
The Burren is home to countless monuments, testament to the hard work of early settlers and to those who occupy the land today. From Neolithic mound walls, the portal tomb at Poulnabrone, Bronze age wedge tombs, medieval slab walls, churches, crosses, penitential stations, tower houses and much more.
Geology
Over 300 hundred million years ago, during the Carboniferous period, the Burren was the seabed of a tropical ocean. Since then, tectonic activity, ice ages, rises and falls in sea level, erosion and deposition have all played their part in shaping the landscape into what it is today. Rich remains of fossils including shellfish, corals and many other microscopic organisms from the shallow seas are still composed in the limestone to this very day.
Hydrology
There is only one over ground river in the Burren, the Caher river in Fanore. However, there is an abundance of spring wells throughout the region. Most of the water flows underground where the soil and rock have been eroded creating a network of underground caverns, both fossil and active. Turloughs (disappearing lakes) emerge when the water table rises due to accumulations of heavy rain.
Flora
Throughout spring, summer and autumn, a rich garden of flowers are in bloom. Arctic, alpine and Mediterranean plants can be identified growing together and sharing the same area of ground. Barren as it may appear, but agriculture has thrived here for thousands of years. One agricultural tradition observed by Burren farmers is known as ‘Winterage’ - the moving of cattle onto the uplands to graze from approximately October to the end of April when they return back to the low lands. This transhumance method of farm management benefits the flora as many species flourish in the drought-like conditions on these well grazed uplands.
Fauna
The goat is the most visible animal found year-round on the uplands. Other animals include the mountain hare, fox, badger, pine marten and red squirrel. All of Irelands seven native bat species are found here along with twenty eight of the country’s thirty species of butterfly.
The Burren - Other Activities
Below is a list of some other popular things to do in the Burren, as well as local transport services and accommodations.