What does Burren mean in Irish?

a rocky place
The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. This is an extremely appropriate name when you consider the lack of soil cover and the extent of exposed Limestone Pavement.

How long does it take to drive around the Burren?

Not long at all… an hour or two. I think this is a direct answer to your question. However, a more in depth exploration with hiking and strolling around… will take hours. Much depends on your goals.

Where are the Burrens?

County Clare
The Burren (/ˈbʌrən/; Irish: Boirinn, meaning ‘rocky district’) is a karst/glaciokarst landscape centred in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. It measures around 530 square kilometres (200 sq mi), within the circle made by the villages of Lisdoonvarna, Corofin, Gort and Kinvara.

Where is the best place to see the Burren?

Ballyvaughan. Our starting point is the most northerly place in County Clare. Ballyvaughan is small harbour village located just off the N67, along the southern shores of Galway Bay. This gorgeous village is considered by many to be the ideal base for visitors exploring the Burren Loop.

What animals live in the Burren?

General Animals Red squirrels and pygmy shrews are also common in hazel woodland. Other mammals found in the Burren include the badger, stoat, bank vole, mink, and brown rat. Seven of Ireland’s native bat species are found in the Burren, with a very significant population of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat in the region.

How old is Burren?

between 359 and 299 million years ago
The rocks that make up the Burren were all formed during the Carboniferous period between 359 and 299 million years ago. This geological period is named for all the coal deposits in North America, UK and Europe that were formed at this time.

How much does it cost to visit the Burren?

4. Is the Burren free to visit? It’s free to visit the Burren National Park, and it’s open all-year-round.

How long does it take to walk the Burren?

There are seven way-marked walking trails in the Burren National Park and Slieve Carran Nature Reserve. The walks vary from a short thirty minute loop walk to a three hour walk over limestone hills.

Can you drive through the Burren?

The Burren scenic drive Starting and ending in the beautiful fishing town of Ballyvaughan, you can complete the drive at your own pace. Some split it between several days, stopping off in various villages along the way to take on a hike.

Is the Burren a bog?

The Burren, in North County Clare and parts of South County Galway covering an area of 160 square km, is unique – it is like no other place in Ireland. There are no bogs and very few pastures. Instead there are huge pavements of limestone called ‘clints’ with vertical fissures in the called ‘grikes’.

Is the Burren a desert?

To the west of the Shannon, the polished rocks of the Burren limestone desert lined with caves and underground streams are the last traces of glacial erosion.

Is the Burren man made?

The Burren is a landscape and ecosystem that was at least partially created by man, but certainly maintained by the farming community and the traditional methods of management that were, and still are, being employed.