Visit a traditional farm & be awed by the landscape and history of the area.
We offer guided walking tours into the heart of the Burren landscape located on Irelands west coast. Each tour covers a broad range of interests such as an introduction to a working farm where you learn of old and new practices. Irish history, the archaeology of the Burren, mythology, the Burren’s unique botany, story telling, folklore & folk traditions, Poteen distilling and much more.
We cater for all levels of experience and groups sizes. Our walks are sociable and relaxed, interesting and most importantly lots of fun. The walks run on average between 1.5 - 2.5 hours.
We offer two daily walks in the Burren
Daily Tour Departs 10:40am
This tour departs daily at 10.40am from a traditional farm house in the Burren. Thisis a gentle walking tour, going through the connolly family farm and upin to the hills where you will discover a maze of archaeological andearly Christian sites. This tour takes you out of the car and acrossdisappearing rivers, over ancient walls to holy-wells, stone age burialsites and forgotten forts.
Experience the beauty of the Burren’s unique flora & fauna, learn of folklore & folk traditions. This tour is suitable for the whole family and can be tailored to suit every level of ability.
12:15 Extended Tour
This tour departs at 12.15pm from a traditional farm house in the Burren and generally lasts around 2.5 hours. This tour is for people with a little more time available and fancy stretching their legs.
Ahike deep in to the mountains of Oughtmama, This walk starts off on therich meadow low lands, and follows a trail to the skeleton rock. Thesignature of past ice ages can be seen scripted on the landscape,punctuated by giant boulders. The wild nature of this walk will alertyour sense to the contrasting colours and aromas that are richlypresent. As you walk your guide will introduce you to the myth and loreof this ancient place. Learn of Celtic spirituality, the folklore andlegends that have connected these people to an ever changing landscape.
Thistour allows you a little more time to discover the history and cultureof this unique landscape. While on tour your guide will treat you totea prepared in a Volcano Kettle from mountain spring water.
Meet your guide...
John Connolly is a native of the Burren. He has a diploma in Irish Heritage from the National University of Ireland, Galway.
An experienced guide and walking leader in the Burren, John enjoys good conversation and a laugh. His enthusiasm and fondness for walking, hiking and the outdoor life will leave you with many fond memories. John is the only walking guide in Ireland that gives tours on his own land.
About the Burren
This landscape which covers over 100 square miles is situated in North Clare on the western seaboard of Ireland. The region is visually similar to a moonscape yet shelters a mixture of flora and archaeological sites which have attracted visitors for centuries
Like most of Ireland, the Burren was under a tropical ocean over 360 million years ago resulting in a layer of limestone. Later tectonic movement raised a section of this ancient seabed into a great plateau which we now know as the Burren. The Ice Age ploughed through the region, widening the river valleys and depositing boulder clay.
After the Ice Age the landscape went through periods of tundra and different types of woodland. Man came here over 6000 years ago, cleared the forests and set in motion soil erosion. Centuries of weathering has produced a terrain of fissured limestone pavements, disappearing lakes, terraced mountains, and underground cave systems.
For millennia man has left his mark, megalithic tombs and cooking sites litter the pavements, while medieval towerhouses and churches guard the valleys. Today man is absent from most of the upland, leaving behind ancient field systems, routeways and placenames.
The fame of the Burren is in its rock garden and its shoreline, limestone fissures, grasslands and hazel woods also yield an abundant and unique set of flora. Botanists explore the Burren finding Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants growing together in Ireland's mild climate. From May to September the colours of the landscape change as plants flower. For the more patient visitors glimpses of the wild butterflies, mammals and birdlife add to this untouched habitat. The Burren contains a wealth of attractions, it's scenery, geology, botany, wildlife, archaeology and history most of which are hidden and can be enjoyed with only the noise of the wind to distract the visitor.
Visit the farmhouse shop & cafe
Your walking tour begins and ends at a traditional Irish farm. The farmhouse has a shop and cafe which offers a tasty shopping experience, bringing together products from all over the Burren.
Enjoy homemade jams, ice creams, cakes and biscuits all made from the finest of locally sourced ingredients.
Take home Burren perfumery’s and handmade soaps, post cards, Burren Wild T shirts and much more. test
Guided Walk Prices
The price is for both the 10:40am and 12:15 walks
From January 1, 2009To December 31, 2009$39
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