The Burren National Park

Welcome to the Burren National Park, a place that frequently prompts visitors to wonder if they have somehow stepped onto another planet. The word 'Burren' comes from the Irish 'Boireann,' meaning 'a rocky place,' and as you look…

Step onto the limestone pavement. Notice the deep fissures beneath your feet. …

Looking towards the horizon, you see the iconic silhouette of Mullaghmore Mountain. It is perhaps the most photographed landmark in the park, known for its striking, terraced appearance. …

If you are following the White Trail, you are on the Nature Trail—a loop specifically designed to showcase the park’s diverse ecosystems. As we move away from the exposed pavement, we enter areas of hazel scrub and woodland. …

In the lower reaches of the park, you will encounter the 'turloughs.' This word comes from the Irish 'tuar loch,' meaning 'dry lake.' These are unique to limestone areas in Ireland. Turloughs have no surface inlet or outlet; they…

The Burren is not just a geological wonder; it is a vast archaeological museum. As you walk, you may notice the crumbling remains of stone structures. …

As your journey through the Burren National Park comes to an end, take a final look across the grey limestone pavement toward Mullaghmore. You have walked across the floor of an ancient ocean and through a landscape shaped by ice…