2018 - LAST YEARS PROGRAMME
The Burren in Bloom festival encompasses garden visits, demonstrations, cultural events, family events, informative talks, guided walks and much, much more across the Burren to celebrate the summer blooms and biodiversity of the region. It is a fundraiser for the Burrenbeo Trust. Some of the events have limited numbers and require booking beforehand.* To avoid disappointment make sure you have booked in advance where necessary. You can also purchase a festival ticket which allows admittance to all events apart from those requiring pre-booking. Pre-booking and festival tickets available here.
PRE-EVENT ACTIVITIES
6th May
WALK 5.30am The Bealtaine Dawn Chorus with Gordon D'Arcy
Burrenbeo Trust members only. For more information or to become a member see www.burrenbeo.com
14th - 18th May
WORKSHOPS Burren College of Art Summer Workshops
- Botanical art – intermediate level – with Jane Start (€385)
- Walking, painting and the Burren – with Conor McGrady (€385)
- Portraits in the Burren – with Carole Shubotham (€420)
- From the Burren, with love – a card-making workshop with Sember Lockwood (€250) (NOTE:16th-18th May)
More details and bookings here.
BURREN IN BLOOM
18th May / Friday
WALK 12-1.30pm Farming for Biodiversity - from Aran to Burren with Amanda Browne & Patsy Linnane
€10/€5 members. Location: Ballyconry, Ballyvaughan. Map Link: here.
DEMO* 1-2.30pm Burren Flowers & Herbs; the scented inspiration with Sadie Chowen
Discover the secrets of the Burren Perfumery and the flowers that inspire with owner Sadie Chowen. All
members of Burrenbeo Trust can get a free herbal tea and homemade scone with Burren honey throughout the
weekend. BOOKING ESSENTIAL HERE.
€15/€10 members. Location: Burren Perfumery, Carron. Map Link: here.
OPEN GARDEN 3-4pm Garden Walk in the Burren Perfumery with Sarah Casey
Donations to Burrenbeo Trust on the day. All members of Burrenbeo Trust can get a free herbal tea and
homemade scone with Burren honey throughout the weekend
Location: Burren Perfumery, Carron. Map Link: here.
WALK 3-4.30pm Taste the Burren herb walk with Siobhan Sloane
Burren Nature Sanctuary is set on a 50 acre organic farm featuring Burren habitats of shattered limestone,
ancient woodland, disappearing lake and orchid rich grassland. On the herb walk follow Frisky the Burren goat
around the Burren Nature Sanctuary looped nature trail. We will look out for wild plants in season that Frisky
likes to graze on such as wood sage, sorrel, wild thyme. We'll share in stories of traditional remedies made from
hedgerow herbs. At the Botany Bubble enjoy a herb pesto making demonstration and sample with our signature savoury scone and seaweed garnish.
€10/€5 members. Location: Burren Nature Sanctuary, Kinvara. Map Link: here.
OPEN GARDEN* 3-4.30pm Guided Walk at Caher Bridge Garden with Carl Wright
€10/€5 members. BOOKING ESSENTIAL HERE. Location: Caher Valley, Fanore. Map Link: here.
TALK/LAUNCH 8-9.30pm The Burren flora -a national treasure with Micheline Sheehy Skeffington
€5/members free. Location: Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan. Map Link: here.
SINGING SESSION 9.30pm Songs of Nature - Open Singing Session
Free. Join a group of regular SeanNos singers from the Burren region and guest singer from
Birmingham, Roger Champkin.
Location: O'Donohue's Pub, Fanore. Map Link: here.
19th May / Saturday
WORKSHOP* 10-1pm Identifying and recording wild plants - learn how it's done!with Maria Long
€15/€10 members. BOOKING ESSENTIAL HERE. Location: Burren Outdoor Education Centre,
Bellharbour. Map Link: here.
FAMILY FUN 12-1.30pm Rockshore fun! with Burrenbeo Trust
€2.50/family members free. Location: Flaggy Shore (1km west of beach car park). Map Link: here.
OPEN GARDEN & 2.30-4pm Painting, plants and the Burren shore with Mark Helmore & Frank Sanford
PAINTING DEMO €10/€5 members. Location: Mount Vernon, Flaggy Shore. Map Link: here.
WALK 3-5pm Plants and grasses of the high Burren with Lynda Weekes & John Marrinan
€10/€5 members. Location: Clooncouse, Carron. Map Link: here.
TALK 8-9.30pm Whittled Away - Ireland's vanishing wildlife with Padraic Fogarty
€5/members free. Location: Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan. Map Link: here.
20th May / Sunday
OPEN GARDEN 11-12.30pm Wildlife walk in a habitat and species rich garden with Terri & Alan Shoosmith
€10/€5 members. Location: Rockvale, Tubber. Map Link: here.
WALK 12.30-2pm Wildness and Wet: a farmland walk amidst limestone pavements, fens, heaths and lakes with Stephen Ward & Michael Keane
Wellington Boots essential for this walk. €10/€5 members. Location: Rinecaha/Lough Muckanagh,
Tubber. Map Link: here.
WALK 2.30-4pm Fascinating Flora of a Limestone Woodland with Janice Fuller
€10/€5 members. Location: Attyslaney Woods,Tubber. Map Link: here.
FILM 6pm The Silver Branch directed by Katrina Costello
An uplifting and emotional celebration of people and place, which captures the delicacy of the natural world; the
heart and soul of a farmer-poet, Patrick McCormack; and the ancient rural spirit of Ireland which stands behind
him. The Story is centred around Patrick and the land, The Burren, Western Ireland. View Trailer
Here.Tickets €7.
Location: Kinvara Communty Centre. Map Link: here.
POST-EVENT ACTIVITIES
23rd May / Wednesday
WALK 2-4pm Rock pools, algae and the flowers that follow with Cillian Roden
€10/€5 members. Location: Caher Valley, Fanore. Map Link: here.
27th May / Sunday
WALK 2-4pm Plant and pollinators: a complex relationship with Dara Stanley
€10/€5 members. Location: The Michael Cusack Centre, Carron. Map Link: here.
30th May / Wednesday
WALK * 2.15-4.15pm Spring Wildflowers of the Burren National Park with National Parks and Wildlife Service guides.
NPWS guides will share the fascinating diversity, biology, conservation and folklore of the Burren flora. This
wildflower walk will take place on the species-rich meadows, limestone pavement and hazel woodland of
the Burren National Park. Please, dress appropriately for weather and terrain. Booking essential on
burrennationalpark@chg.gov.ie or 065 682 7693. Find more info and directions on www.burrennationalpark.ie.
Free. Location: Gortlecka Crossroads, Burren National Park. Map Link: here.
*Need to book in advance as numbers are limited. Click here or pay over the phone on 091 638096.