Why was Burren in Bloom established?
To celebrate the flowering of the Burren’s wonderful flora for another season and to remember that the wonder of the ‘Burren in Bloom’ must not be taken for granted. For hundreds of years, Burren farmers have herded their cattle onto the Burren grasslands or ‘winterages’; by maintaining this tradition farmers are harvesting the previous summer’s growth, ensuring that the Burren’s famous herbs have enough light and space to bloom once again. The Burren in Bloom Festival was developed 15 years ago to heighten the appreciation of this landscape and also to hear from the people that are key in maintaining this rich biodiversity. The event includes walks, talks and demonstrations from local farmers, ecologists and many more.
Who coordinates Burren in Bloom Festival?
The Burren in Bloom Festival is coordinated by a local landscape charity, The Burrenbeo Trust. Burrenbeo relies on the support of many individuals who donate their time and venues to the festival. All money generated during Burren in Bloom through donations etc are used to run a range of free education and conservation programmes in the Burren, a terrific investment in the future of this special place.
Where is the festival taking place?
Burren in Bloom events are spread throughout the Burren region so that the people that attend get to see the Burren in all its diversity and variety! The timing of the event coincides with what is generally thought to be one of the very best time to see the best diversity of flowering plants in the region.
How do I pay to attend?
Tickets for all in-person events for Burren in Bloom 2023 can be booked through the booking link on our 2023 Programme page. While some of the Burren in Bloom are free others require a modest fee with discounts always available for Burrenbeo Trust members. Any funds raised contribute to ongoing education and conservation projects in the region. You can sign up to be a Burrenbeo member here.
Who should come to the events?
The Burren in Bloom festival is a community event which welcomes our members, local residents and visitors; anyone really that has an interest in nature and/or getting to know the Burren a bit more. Unfortunately we are not equipped to accommodate large groups or those who are trying to make a commercial gain from the event. Unfortunately we have a no dogs policy as there may be livestock present. Children are welcome to join us for the walks but should be supervised by adult guardians at all times.
What happens if I cannot attend?
If you have booked a place on a specific event and are unable to attend, a substitute participant may be sent for no additional charge as long as they have your ticket. Regrettably no refunds can be made.
How do I get there?
There are a number of 'gateways' to the Burren including Kinvara, Kilfenora, Corofin and Gort depending on which direction you are coming from.
Public transport is limited in the Burren, however you can check www.buseireann.ie for public bus options or www.irishrail.ie for train options (nearby stations are Ennis and Gort).
Many of the Burren in Bloom events may need private transport, car sharing is encouraged.
From the bigger cities to the edge of the Burren, distances are as follows:
Galway city centre to Kinvara: 30km/approx. 40 mins
Limerick to Corofin: 50km/approx. 45 mins
Dublin to Gort: 220km/approx. 2 hours & 15 mins
Where can I stay?
There are a range of accommodation options throughout the Burren from top class hotels to homestays, depending on your requirements.
Below are some useful websites to find the accommodation that suits you in the area:
Homestays go to www.airbnb.com
For Ballvaughan go to www.discoverballyvaughan.com
For Carron go to www.claresrock.com
For Corofin go to www.visitcorofin.com
For Doolin go to www.doolin-tourism.com
For Kilfenora go to www.kilfenoraclare.com
For Kinvara go to www.kinvara.com
For Gort go to www.gortonline.com
For the rest of the Clare villages go to www.clare.ie
www.booking.com also gives a good range of guesthouses and hotels in the area.
What should I bring?
Clothing: Don’t forget waterproof clothing and prepare for the Atlantic weather (ie warm clothes)! Outdoor walks will be outdoors!! Plus the Burren has very uneven terrain, please bring sensible walking shoes or preferably sturdy boots with ankle support for any of the outdoor activities.
Money: There is an ATM in Kinvara (Londis supermarket), Gort (banks), Ennistymon (banks), Corofin (Centra supermarket) otherwise it is best to bring cash.
Map: Here is a link to a jpeg of the Burren map with viewing points, monuments, walks and nature sites on it.
Who do I contact if I need further information?
Burrenbeo Trust is here for any queries, contact us on info@burrenbeo.com or on 091 638096.