The Burren
The Burren
4.5
About
Bare limestone plateau characterized by carboniferous limestone abounding in corals, mollusks and other fossils that lived in the shallow seas over 300 million years ago.
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4.5
722 reviews
Excellent
432
Very good
235
Average
50
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Mike B
Mineral, VA1,048 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
After leaving Galway on our coach tour, and heading on to Donegal, we drove through The Burren. We even pulled off the road at one point, to take pictures. Pictures of what? It's not pretty at all, or interesting to look at. The best part of the trip through The Burren was the stories our Tour Director was telling about Ireland....not about The Burren. If you have to go through it on your way to someplace else, that's fine. But I wouldn't make a special trip just to see it.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
machinmad
Yaxley, UK2,576 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
The drive along the R477 coastline is magnificent…we visited on a day when an Atlantic storm was screaming against the shoreline. The white water it made and the giant waves that crashed against the rocks made for an exciting vista. The rocky geology creates are “moonscape” which is unlike any other landscape I’ve seen. There are several info boards along the road to tell you all about the history of the area.
Well worth a look if you are in the area.
Well worth a look if you are in the area.
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark C
39 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This is a fascinating geological area totally unique to Ireland. There is a special beauty to the baroness of the Burren. The flora is also special including many that are found only here. There is an ancient burial site dating back at least 5,000 years. We encountered a surprise in being able to hear a live cuckoo!
Written 13 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loraineangel
Las Vegas18 contributions
We stayed in a thatched cottage for a week in the area known as The Burren, County Clare. If you are looking for peace and quiet, this is the place for you! The Burren is famous for it's flowers and rural landscape, but there are plenty of pubs and restaurants if you want to liven things up a little! We stayed in Oughtdarra, just outside Doolin which is known as the music capital of Ireland. It has several pubs with live Irish music every night - we found it to be quite a wild party, and the Guinness flowed freely! We happened to be there on St John's Eve, and the local lads built an enormous bonfire outside our favorite pub, MacDiarmadas. The Burren has a lovely perfumery which makes teas and soaps from local flowers, and there are lots of other attractions - The Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands an easy ferry ride away, and several caves, castles and stately homes. It's a great place to get a taste of the rural life and to see some unspoilt Irish scenery. Probably the highlight of the trip though, was the people. We found the Irish to be kind and friendly - they have great senses of humor and a twinkle in their eyes - those Irish eyes always seemed to be smiling!
Written 25 July 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason G
Baltimore, MD703 contributions
July 2018 • Couples
The Burren is definitely an iconic area of Ireland that you need to visit, if nothing else for it's unique rocky landscape. As for how long you spend, you can honestly see the highlights in a few hours, or you can spend a day if you really want to hike and explore. At the very least, stop at Leamaneh Castle for a few quick pics from the outside (you can't go in), pay to visit Caherconnell Ring Fort (if you haven't seen other ring forts in Ireland), see Poulnabrone Dolmen (it's free and unique), and explore Aillwee Caves (if you're a lover of caves--otherwise, you can probably skip this).
Written 25 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MAChivers
Belleair Beach, FL254 contributions
June 2017 • Couples
The Burren was listed as the top 10 Most Beautiful places to visit, but I disagree. It is barren and boring. We parked our car and walked a trail just because - the trail ended at a little cottage that offered tea and biscuits that were really good. It's really the only thing we did while we are there. I do think there are other things to see there that may be interesting and maybe we just missed out. I would not recommend it - although my husband said he thought it was pretty cool.
Written 12 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara L
14 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
My friend and I booked a walking tour of the Burren area before arriving in Ireland. Shane met us at the church in Ballyvaughan and drove us and another couple to the beginning spot for the tour. He was incredibly knowledgeable, informative and funny. We stopped multiple times along the way to learn about the geology, farm animals, ring forts, etc. I highly recommend booking this tour before you go - we ended up changing our travelling route so we could experience this, and it was definitely worth it!
Written 15 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DoloresJacoby.Let’sTravel.98368
West Palm Beach, FL12,493 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
Hiring a car to drive through this area was a brilliant thing to do. Underground lakes, rocks, limestone formations, caves, abbeys, and more. I was blessed to see two rainbows over the landscapes. The terrain seems otherworldly in some areas. There are many castles, abbeys, churches lakes and sights to see along the way. I love the Burren Perfumery for a stop--it's a real destination visit.
Written 23 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert B
Philadelphia, PA195 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
Mile for mile, The Burren is perhaps the most fascinating area in the country - but it takes a certain mentality to really appreciate it.
It is the polar opposite of the lush greenery that most of the world rhapsodizes about when they come to Ireland. Grey and sparse, barren and cracked, it doesn't resemble much you'll see anywhere on the planet. What you're looking at, in essence, is a gigantic TUMS tablet.
Really really. Calcium Carbonate, for as far as the eye can see.
Those cracks you see everywhere are called "grikes;" its where the rainfall has worn ten billion little rivulets in the surface, eventually falling into the greatest unexplored cave system on the planet - the whole area is shot through with a network of caves eroded over millennia.There are surface entrances everywhere - I know of seven within three miles of Ballylacken Castle. There's a few bodies down there, of indeterminate age, well documented and left in peace in their final resting places. You Do NOT seek out these caves. You Do NOT enter these caves. You WILL Die in there.
Inside, there are rivers of what locals used to call "moonmilk," which is essentially the TUMS dissolved to near liquid, flowing like toothpaste on the floors and walls. Amusingly, it was used as a folk remedy for sour stomachs. It is also as slick as mucus, and will slide you down and out of sight to be found by some future caver. Repeat - do NOT seek these caves out, and do NOT enter them.
Above all that, the surface of The Burren is the thickest accumulation of archeology you'll find anywhere - you can't walk 100 yards in any direction without moving past some vague memory of human habitation. Some are obvious, some are hidden, and some are barely recognizable, a depression or line of unnatural rocks cataloged in the 1800's and now long forgotten. The Burren is populated by untold legions of ghosts.
What is most likely to strike you as a casual observer is the incredible scenery, and your reaction to it may be wildy different from the person beside you. It is desolation in 1000 forms; some will see the beauty in it, and others will see a 60-square mile unfinished parking lot. There's no right answer.
Except the ones who see beauty are right...
Because of the odd winds of the area, the Burren holds an incredible mix of wildflowers and plants. Plants that don't belong there. Plants from Norway. Plants from Italy. Plants from just about anywhere in Western Europe. Somewhere, deep in the shattered landscape, The Burren Perfumery cultivates the plants they find here and hand-make perfumes, soaps, moisturizers and colognes using them as the ingredients. If you're feeling dauntless, take a drive down ten miles of single lane road and seek them out.
And hope you don't meet anyone coming from the other direction.
Obviously, I could go on a even greater length. To stop now, all I can say is, if this is your kind of thing, it's just the thing you're looking for.
It is the polar opposite of the lush greenery that most of the world rhapsodizes about when they come to Ireland. Grey and sparse, barren and cracked, it doesn't resemble much you'll see anywhere on the planet. What you're looking at, in essence, is a gigantic TUMS tablet.
Really really. Calcium Carbonate, for as far as the eye can see.
Those cracks you see everywhere are called "grikes;" its where the rainfall has worn ten billion little rivulets in the surface, eventually falling into the greatest unexplored cave system on the planet - the whole area is shot through with a network of caves eroded over millennia.There are surface entrances everywhere - I know of seven within three miles of Ballylacken Castle. There's a few bodies down there, of indeterminate age, well documented and left in peace in their final resting places. You Do NOT seek out these caves. You Do NOT enter these caves. You WILL Die in there.
Inside, there are rivers of what locals used to call "moonmilk," which is essentially the TUMS dissolved to near liquid, flowing like toothpaste on the floors and walls. Amusingly, it was used as a folk remedy for sour stomachs. It is also as slick as mucus, and will slide you down and out of sight to be found by some future caver. Repeat - do NOT seek these caves out, and do NOT enter them.
Above all that, the surface of The Burren is the thickest accumulation of archeology you'll find anywhere - you can't walk 100 yards in any direction without moving past some vague memory of human habitation. Some are obvious, some are hidden, and some are barely recognizable, a depression or line of unnatural rocks cataloged in the 1800's and now long forgotten. The Burren is populated by untold legions of ghosts.
What is most likely to strike you as a casual observer is the incredible scenery, and your reaction to it may be wildy different from the person beside you. It is desolation in 1000 forms; some will see the beauty in it, and others will see a 60-square mile unfinished parking lot. There's no right answer.
Except the ones who see beauty are right...
Because of the odd winds of the area, the Burren holds an incredible mix of wildflowers and plants. Plants that don't belong there. Plants from Norway. Plants from Italy. Plants from just about anywhere in Western Europe. Somewhere, deep in the shattered landscape, The Burren Perfumery cultivates the plants they find here and hand-make perfumes, soaps, moisturizers and colognes using them as the ingredients. If you're feeling dauntless, take a drive down ten miles of single lane road and seek them out.
And hope you don't meet anyone coming from the other direction.
Obviously, I could go on a even greater length. To stop now, all I can say is, if this is your kind of thing, it's just the thing you're looking for.
Written 17 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie H
Ennis, Ireland194 contributions
The burren offers so much to explore .. a stunning landscape, amazing archaeological sites, great walks and wonderful gems of places to eat and drink .. I visit and walk here as often as possible and it never fails to delight and surprise - should be on everyone's bucket list.
Written 23 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inchiquin farmhouse looks like a nice place to stay.
Written 28 August 2018
mbecerracano1
New York City, New York
I am planning to go to The Burren in October. I would like to stay with a local family for 3 weeks. Any advice? Thank you. Margarita
Written 24 June 2018
Hi Margarita
I’m afraid I can’t help with your query as I’m not from the locality of the Burren and I don’t know the local people. I wish you well and have a fantastic trip to Ireland.
Regards
Mary
Written 24 June 2018
hello,
where is this Lehinch area you golfed?
thank you
Written 12 January 2018
Do you have any hikes around the Burren to recommend? Will only be in this area 1-2 days - also still looking for a quaint B&B. Coming from Dublin and will be heading South east... after time here. Any recommendations are appreciated.
Written 15 July 2016
I stayed at the Ballyvaughan Lodge - excellent see review. There are plenty of walks within the Burren National park which are signposted. If you park about a mile away from Father ted's house there are 4 well sign posted walks.
Written 19 July 2016
My family and I are visiting County Clare in March 2016. As part of our vacation, we would like to go horseback riding and I think Daly's Equestrian Centre would be a good choice. Do you know if Daly'e Equestrian Centre operates trail rides in March?
Written 24 January 2016
Going to visit next week, very excited. I've been told that ticks might be a problem. How big a problem?
Written 20 April 2015
How much does it visit to cost cliffs of moher and burren
Written 6 March 2015
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