Dramatic and utterly memorable, the Burren is like nowhere else in Ireland. Possibly, it would not go to far as to say that the scenery is like nowhere else on our planet.
Moon-like, the Burren is a vast limestone plateau, north of County Clare. It stretches over 20 miles, from Ballyvaughan on the mighty Atlantic coast, to the cliffs of Moher. Now pay attention, this is the scientific bit: It started with the moving glaciers during the last glaciation roughly 15,000 years ago, they eroded the rocks, stripped the soil starting the development of large stones, pavement like called the clints. Since then rain water (and there is no shortage of it) and weather have continued the erosion process.
The Burren Perfumery in Carron
After the landscape, the Burren is perhaps best known for its profusion of wild flowers. The diversity of its plant life is remarkable. The flora includes more than 700 species of flowering plants.
You don't have to be a horticulturalist to marvel at the variety: orchids, alpine Gentians, grass of Parnassus, all plants which come from different horizons and, if none of them are rare in themselves, the rarity is to find plants with so many different needs, living in the same area.
With such a profusion of flowers, there was no better place to open Ireland's first perfumery. The Burren Perfumery in Carron is a commercial venture but its floral center is a place of education where you can see a free audio visual which takes you on a voyage of plants discovery. It took 3 years in the making for this 10 minutes film, the photography is stunning. The herb garden, the distillery and the soap making area are opened to visit and if you feel a bit peckish, you could always try the lavender scones in the tearoom.
The village of Carron is made of 4 houses, a hostel and a museum.
Ballyvaughan
If you hoped for bigger, head for Ballyvaughan. Locals call this typical village "the jewel in the bay of Galway", and so it is. Tranquil in a stunningly beautiful spot, Ballyvaughan offers traditional music and old pubs, hill walking and restaurants, shops and unspoiled beaches, a perfect starting point to explore the Burren.
Renting a self-catering cottage is a great option for a week-end or a longer stay, if you can get a booking try to stay at Burren Holidays, not only Sycamore house in Ballyvaughan is incredibly beautiful with its open fire and stunning views but meeting with the owners is like an encounter with the Irish hospitality personified.
How to Get There
70km from Shannon airport
N67 goes through the burren
Buses are not very frequent.
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