Cahirminnaun,
Kilfenora, The Burren
County Clare

Tel: 065 7088 931
Mobile: 087 6855 491

Email: info@burren-tours.com 

The Burren

The Burren is a paradise for geologists, botanists, ornithologists, speleologists and archaeologists alike.
 

Landscape The region's extraordinary rock formations, spreading over 500 sq km, have often been described by visitors as "a lunar landscape".  Formed some 340 million years ago at the bottom of a warm, shallow sea, the visibly fossil-rich layers of limestone that characterise the Burren have been modified by millions of years of glacial, tectonic, solutional and human processes.

Farming Many visitors to the Burren are fascinated to learn how such an apparently barren and rugged place could have maintained a prosperous farming tradition for millennia.  The unusual attributes afforded by the region's limestone geology allow the practice of 'winterage', when livestock are moved to the uplands for the winter months.  The advantage of this being that wintering animals removed all the litter and grasses that would otherwise inhibit herb growth and limit plant species diversity, without damaging these plants during their flowering season.

Flora The unique diversity of the Burren's flora has constantly attracted much attention and is at its best about mid-May or a little later.  It is estimated that 70% of Ireland's 900 native species can be spotted in the Burren.  The ecosystem is noted for its curious mixture of Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean species as well as the wealth of orchids (22 of Ireland's 27 native species).

Heritage As you travel through the Burren, 7,000 years of history unfolds before your eyes, with farmsteads from the Stone Age and the Iron Age, churches, abbeys and high crosses, plus castles and fortresses of local lords.

Ecclesiastical Sites According to Mytum (1982) 'In the distribution of ecclesiastical sites, the Burren is quite exceptional'.  The region boasts a dense concentration of early church sites, whilst Corcomroe Abbey, built at the end of the 12th Century by the Cistercians, is one of the best-known monastic sites in Ireland.

Megalithic Tombs The abundance of megalithic tombs and ancient farm settlements in the Burren Region indicates a prospering agricultural-based economy steeped in antiquity.  The region boasts over 75 wedge tombs, 2 portal tombs and 4 known court tombs.

Ring Forts The remains of approximately 500 ring forts exist in the Burren, varying in diameter from 20 to 60 metres.  These are believed to have supported farming families and were constructed during the Iron Age period.  Many were still occupied in the 16th century.  In the Burren, defensive ringforts, such as Cahercommaun and Ballykinvarga can also be seen.

Tower Houses Tower houses were built from the 14th to the mid-17th century by Anglo-Irish noblemen and Gaelic lords, with counties under Gaelic control, such as Clare and Limerick, showing the densest distributions.  The famous tower house of Lemeneagh in the southern Burren dates from c. 1490 AD.  Tower houses were designed defensively to protect against cattle raids and military threats.

Kilfenora High Crosses The main glories of the historically rich cathedral village of Kilfenora are its High Crosses.  the village was often referred to as the city of the seven crosses.  They were probably erected in the 12th century.  The crosses marked out the boundary of the local church.  They were also monuments that celebrated local achievements and reinforced the strong Christian faith.  Of the remaining high crosses, probably the most famous is the Doorty Cross, which has recently been restored and can be found inside the Cathedral in Kilfenora.

Burren Tours, Cahirminnaun, Kilfenora, The Burren, County Clare, Ireland

Tel: 065 7088 931
Mobile: 087 6855 491

Email: info@burren-tours.com 
 

Getting Here