A Unique Limestone Landscape Shaped by Nature and People
The Origins of the Burren Landscape
The Burren is a unique and ancient limestone landscape in County Clare, which has been shaped by ice, water, farming and people over thousands of years. The Burren is 530 square kilometres or 200 square miles in area. The name comes from the Irish language, ‘boireann’, which means ‘rocky place’. The Burren National Park comprises only 3% of the land area of the Burren region.
This Burren limestone was formed more than 330 million years ago by the remains of sea creatures in a tropical ocean, falling to the ocean floor and solidifying over the space of a few million years. Once the limestone was exposed to the elements, a thin layer of soil formed on top of the limestone and much of the Burren was completely covered in low, dense trees such as hazel and blackthorn. Where the rock was exposed, water and ice eroded it into some incredible formations such as flat, pavement-like expanses, deep cracks known as grikes, and many other unusual features.
Human Settlement and Farming Traditions
Human settlement began in the Burren thousands of years ago, with the first arrivals being hunter gatherers, most likely arriving by boat from Africa or Southern Europe, about 8 thousand years ago. They lived mainly by fishing and foraging. In about 4000 BC the first farmers arrived, discovered that the region was suitable for raising healthy domesticated animals, and settled there. Since then, the region has been shaped by its inhabitants, and breeding and raising of high quality beef and lamb is still carried on in the Burren to this day. In fact, the farming methods used today are based on those used thousands of years ago, helping to preserve the landscape and to provide an ideal environment for native wildflowers, butterflies, birds and creating a unique ecosystem.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites
Many thousands of people travel to the Burren every year to see the geological formations, the wildflowers, as well as the ancient monuments and settlements, religious communities and relics built by the Burren’s inhabitants from 3500BC onwards.
Within its 530 square kilometres, or 200 square miles, the Burren has the highest density of ancient sites in Ireland. There are portal tombs, wedge tombs, early Christian ring forts, burial and pilgrimage cairns, 12th century high Celtic crosses, holy wells, famine roads, and even rare Sheela na gigs. The Burren’s most famous site, Poulnabrone Dolmen, is the oldest monument in Ireland, dating from 3500BC (5500 years old).
The Burren is a place where geology, nature and people have shaped each other for thousands of years.
What’s the Difference Between the Burren and the Burren National Park?
While the entirety of the Burren is protected by strict regulation on farming, building, land management, and other human activity, the Burren National Park is a tiny section of the Burren wholly owned and managed by the Irish state under the auspices of the National Parks and Wildlife Services. The Burren National Park is only 15 square kilometres, spread over two main sites, or 3% of the total area of the Burren. This area is dedicated to walking trails, and is accessible on foot only.
The remainder of the Burren is a living landscape, owned, loved and managed by the people who live there, the farmers, the local businesses and the residents. Public access to many ancient sites and buildings on privately owned lands is kindly provided where indicated.
Explore the Burren on a Guided E-Bike Tour
Why not book one of our regular guided Burren e-bike tours, for a richer experience, with an experienced guide to accompany you, show you the way and interpret the history, landscape, flora and folklore of this incredible region of Ireland? Our regular scheduled guided tours are half day tours, cover a maximum of 20km and give you a taste of the region’s beauty and diversity. The rest of the day is for your next adventure, whether that is visiting the iconic Cliffs of Moher, exploring the caves, or chilling out in the pub with a pint and some of the Burren’s incredible food options. We look forward to welcoming you to the Burren very soon.