Burren National Park: Attractions, The Drive + Map

The 1,500 hectare Burren National Park is home to some of Ireland’s wildest and most unique landscape.

Located in County Clare, the park is a tiny corner of the wider Burren region, which spans over 500 kilometers.

The landscape, which formed over 325 million years ago, was inhabited by humans as far back as 33,000 years ago.

In this guide you’ll find:

• A map of the Burren
• Its history, geology, flora and fauna
• How to see the Burren (1/2-day itinerary)
• The different things to do in the Burren (with map)

Quick need-to-knows about the Burren National Park

Although a visit to the Burren National Park is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

You’ll find the Burren in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. It is part of the now-famous Wild Atlantic Way.

2. Size

The Burren is a vast area of more than 250 sq km that stretches out as far as the Aran Islands. The Burren National Park covers a smaller area of around 1,500 hectares.

3. History

Archaeological finds show that humans were in the Burren as early as 33,000 years ago. In the Neolithic period (4,000 BC), settlers began shaping the landscape with deforestation and by building stone walls and megalithic tombs.

Soil erosion and climate shifts led to population declines by the end of the Bronze Age. Bronze artifacts like the Gleninsheen gorget highlight the region’s trade connections and wealth.

4. Geology

The Burren is a unique karst landscape that formed over 325 million years ago in a tropical sea. Shaped by glaciers and erosion, the Burren is well known from its striking landscape, which features clints and grikes that stand out proudly on its grey limestone pavement.

Glaciers left behind caves (like the Doolin Cave), large boulders and plenty of peaks.

5. Flora and fauna

The Burren is a plant lover’s paradise. In fact, it’s home to over 70% of Ireland’s flower species!

Visitors will discover a mix of Arctic-alpine and Mediterranean plants includes orchids (23 species!), the vibrant spring gentian, and the Irish orchid. There’s also a wide range of animal life, including butterflies, pine martens, badgers, stoats and goats.

How to see the Burren

If you only have a day, the best way to see the Burren is on the Burren Scenic Drive, outlined in the map above.

This route covers 64km (40 miles) and it takes in many of the best things to do in the Burren, like Poulnabrone Dolmen and the coast road.

Now, a disclaimer – there are many different versions of this drive.

The one above is the route I take most often and that I’m confident you’ll enjoy.

Things to do in the Burren National Park

There are endless things to do in the Burren National Park, from walks and hikes to historical sites and areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Below, you’ll find the key attractions, many of which are the most popular places to visit in Clare.

1. Poulnabrone Dolmen

Poulnabrone Dolmen is a fascinating site. It is one of the oldest and one of the best preserved portal tombs in Ireland.

Featuring three immense standing stones, covered by an even larger capstone, it’s believed to date back to the Neolithic Period.

Excavations carried out in the 1980s revealed 33 human skeletons, including male and female adults and children.

Most of the remains date back to between 3,800 and 3,200 BC, and were discovered with various items and objects.

2. Fanore Beach

The little village of Fanore is a popular stop-off point in the Burren, and Fanore Beach is among its biggest draws.

This is a long, sandy Blue Flag Beach that has lifeguards during the summer months.

While it’s a popular spot for surfing, swimming, and other water sports, those who prefer to keep their toes dry will find it just as enjoyable to visit.

3. Aillwee Caves

The Aillwee Caves are one of the more unique things to do in the Burren, and you’ll find them near Ballyvaughan.

The caves are believed to be more than 1.5 million years old, and feature stalactites, stalagmites, an underground waterfall, and the bones of perhaps the last Irish brown bears.

You can take a 45-minute tour of the caves, follow a path over bridged chasms, beneath ancient formations, through breath-taking caverns and alongside a waterfall.

And yes, these are the ‘Very Dark Caves’ from the famous Father Ted episode. As well as the caves, there’s a cafe, and a bird of prey centre.

4. The Burren walking trails

If you’re wondering how to see the Burren and you’re a fan of a ramble, you’re in luck – there are countless trails to tackle here.

Some of the most popular Burren walks include:

• The Black Head Loop: 7 hours / 26 km
• Ballyvaughan Wood Loop: 8 km / 2 hours
• The Burren Way: 5 days / 114 km

5. Doolin Cave

Doolin Cave is another must-visit, just a few kilometres from the Cliffs of Moher.

Delving more than 200 feet underground, you’ll wander through narrow passages before emerging in a huge cavern.

Here hangs the ‘Great Stalactite’, the largest in Europe at a whopping 7.3 metres long and an estimated 10-tonnes.

Hanging like a huge, naturally-formed chandelier, it’s an immense sight to behold, and knowledgeable guides will discuss how it came to be over the course of millions of years.

6. Father Ted’s House

Father Ted’s House is one of the most popular places to visit in the Burren but please note from the get-go that you can’t visit it.

This is a privately owned home with zero parking nearby, so keep that in mind.

The house acted as the Parochial house, once home to Ted, Dougal, Jack and Mrs Doyle, on Craggy Island.

7. Towns and villages

You’ll discover some of the finest towns in Ireland in the Burren. Some, like Doolin, Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna (home to the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival) are fairly well known.

However, others, like Carron, Corrofin, New Quay and Ennistymon are a little less well-known amongst visiting tourists.

One of the joys of exploring the Burren is stumbling upon the little towns and villages that give the region its charm and character.

8. The Burren Perfumery

The Burren is awash with artisans, keeping the old traditions and techniques alive and producing wonderful, hand-crafted products.

Taking inspiration from the surroundings, the team at the Burren Perfumery create a wide array of top quality cosmetics and perfumes.

Everything is hand-made on-site and visitors are immersed in everything from how the products are steam distilled to the process of hand bottling.

9. Caherconnell Stone Fort and Sheepdog Demonstrations

Caherconnell Stone Fort is one of the Burren’s most impressive ancient structures. It’s over 1,000 years-old and it was inhavited until the late 16th century.

The walls of this ring fort, which are constructed from the limestone that is plentiful in the area, are 3 metres tall by 3 meters wide.

Many excavations have taken place over the years and they have uncovered everything from metalwork tools and jewelry to Venetian glass and more.

There are also sheepdog demonstrations, where you can watch these incredible animals in action on a working farm.

10. Cliffs of Moher

One of the most popular attractions in the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher stretch for around 8 km, towering up to 200 metres above the wild Atlantic Ocean.

A paved cliff top path enables you to walk alongside them, with incredible views out to sea and across to the Aran Islands. But the rocks and cliffs themselves take centre stage here.

Immense and rugged, they’ve inspired generations of artists, attracting tourists since before tourism was a thing.

In more recent times, they’ve featured in numerous movies and TV-shows. If you want to see them without the crowds, try one of the Cliffs of Moher walks.

11. Doonagore Castle

Like something out of a fairy tale, Doonagore Castle stands tall and proud amid the mighty Burren landscape.

Not far from Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher, it’s worth stopping by for a peek at the beautifully restored tower.

Jutting out atop a hill, it’s hard to miss, and the surrounding countryside takes in rolling hills and the Atlantic Ocean. 

The castle is privately owned, so you can’t visit it or take a tour. However, it makes for a great photo-op and well worth checking out if you’re passing by.

12. The Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are arguably one of the most overlooked places to visit in the Burren, but they’re well worth a visit.

There are three islands: Inis Oirr, Inis Mor and Inis Meain, and each is home to a plethora of unique attractions (like Dun Aonghasa and the Wormhole).

You can stay on each of the islands and they’re easily reached from Doolin, Rossaveal and, as of 2021, Galway City.

13. Corcomroe Abbey

Nestled in the heart of the Burren, Corcomroe Abbey—once known as “St. Mary of the Fertile Rock”—dates back to the early 13th century.

Built using local limestone, this Gothic ruin features some of the finest stone carvings of any Irish Cistercian church.

Despite its peaceful setting today, Corcomroe witnessed historic battles, including the burial of King Conor O’Brien after his defeat in 1268.

Now a National Monument, this abbey remains a must-see for history and architecture lovers!

A map of the Burren with attractions

Above, you’ll find a Burren map with each of the attractions that I mentioned earlier plotted out (just click a blue dot to see what it is).

The map includes everything from the Aran Islands and the National Park to Father Ted’s house and much, much more.

Burren National Park facts

 

The Burren National Park is a fascinating area, steeped in history and with an almost magical atmosphere.

Moody and mysterious, the rugged landscape seems out of this world at times, but there are a fair few things we do know about it.

Fact 1: Size

At 15 sq km, the Burren is the smallest of Ireland’s 6 national parks. Having said that, the actual area referred to as the Burren covers a far vaster region. While the boundaries aren’t really known, estimates put the area at anywhere between 250 and 560 square kilometres.

Fact 2: Meaning of the name

The word Burren comes from the Irish word ‘Boireann’, which roughly translates to ‘rocky place’ or ‘the great rock’.

Fact 3: Famous for

While the area is famed for its rocks, there’s an abundance of vegetation that manages to survive in the area, including wildflowers, herbs, grasses, and more. In fact, cattle and livestock have managed to survive, and indeed thrive on the nutritious grasses grown in the Burren for centuries.

Fact 4: Highest point

At 207 metres high, Knocknanes Hill is the highest point in the Burren National Park.

Fact 5: Grikes

The Burren is famous for its huge slabs of limestone pavements. These are crisscrossed with fissures known as grikes, brought about during a long, slow period of glacial activity. Within the grikes, a huge array of plants can be found, native to areas as varied as the Arctic, the Mediterranean, and the alpine regions of Central Europe.

Fact 6: Beneath the Burren

There’s plenty to see below the Burren, with numerous cave systems tunneling deep underground.

Fact 7: Wildlife

The wildlife of the Burren is amazingly diverse, with everything from badgers, minks, otters, and stoats, to lizards, eels, salmon, and owls, to name a few. There are also many rare species of butterflies, beetles, moths, and other insects that call the Burren home.