The Burren is an area of about 500 square kilometers of Lunar-Like Landscape that some have described as one of the Wonders of the World. It's a destination to be experienced on a guided tour. Its apparent barrenness is host to an internationally famous flora. Its scenery is magnificent and The Cliffs of Moher definitely have to be experienced rather than described.
The Burren has a farming history that dates back to the Stone Age, some 6000 years ago. The Burren has a sense of Spiritual Peace, has an extraordinary array of flora and wildlife, megalithic tombs, and monuments that are older than Egypt's pyramids.
This, in our opinion, is the ultimate guided tour of The Burren incorporating The Cliffs of Moher. It encompasses several aspects of the region from rugged coast to barren wasteland to the breathtaking mountain, coastal, and lake scenery. It gives the opportunity to see some of the regions from the sea as well as from on land. Our tours average about seven and a half hours but this one does take longer, but it is definitely worth it for those who want to pack as much as possible into one day in The Burren.
Tour itinerary
Oranmore was a village outside of Galway less than a lifetime ago, now it is a suburb of one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe, yet has managed to maintain its own character including a thatched pub. Clarinbridge is famous for its Oysters and every year since 1954 it hosts the well-known International Oyster Festival.
Next, we go to Kilcolgan where we turn off the main southbound road and head into The Burren. Kinvara is derived from the Gaelic "Cinn Mhara" which means "Head of the Sea" a name that gives us an insight into its history. It has long associations with the sea and its past is recalled in the Annual Festival "Cruinniu na mBd" or "The Gathering of the Boats" Probably the most famous landmark in the area is Dunguaire Castle, built in the 1500s and was occupied until Lady Ampthill sold it in 1976. it is open to visitors from May to October and holds Medieval Banquets. Some of our customers conclude their guided here get dropped at the Castle to enjoy the banquet. We can arrange return transport to your accommodation if you so wish.
Ballyvaughan has seen many changes over the years, once a small fishing village it is now a thriving tourism center and has a definite air of prosperity about it. It's a location at the edge of The Burren and the discovery of the nearby Aillwee Caves have certainly been major factors in its development.
We progress from Ballyvaughan on to Ailwee Cave for a magnificent view with options to visit the cave, walk some of The Burren, enjoy a Birds of Prey show and even do a Hawk Walk.
The next step on your guided tour is the Megalithic Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen which is an ancient stone tomb dating between 2000 - 2500 B.C. It is one of the most famous and most photographed Irish dolmens. Poulnabrone translates from Irish as 'The Hole of the Sorrows'. You can stand at a structure that pre-dates the Egyptian Pyramids. Or, get your modern digital photo of an ancient site.
Next, we come to Leamaneh Castle. If you look carefully you will see that there are two parts joined together. The original house was built around 1480 and the second part was added around 1640. The most impressive features are the intact stone window frames and "The Murder Hole". This was the home of the famous (or infamous) Maire Rua !
From here your chauffeur takes you to Kilfenora an area renowned for its Traditional Irish Music. Kilfenora's main claim to fame is its ruined Cathedral and associated High Crosses. There were five High Crosses originally, but one was removed in 1821. The best-known is the Doorty Cross with three bishops and a double-headed bird on the east side; on the west is (possibly) a carving showing Christ entering Jerusalem. Kilfenora is located on the edge of the Burren. The Burren Display Centre, a co-operative local enterprise, has many exhibits displaying features of the Kilfenora locality.
Your guide now takes you on to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. In terms of visitor numbers, it is second only to the Guinness brewery! At this point, we can visit Doolin and take a sea trip which takes us around "The Needle", home to thousands of birds, and you sail under the Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs rise from Hag's Head in the South reaching a height of over 700 feet just north of O'Brien’s Tower. On a clear day the view is truly spectacular: The Aran Islands in Galway Bay to the Hills and Valleys of Connemara in the West Galway. At the edge, you can hear booming far below as the waves eat into the soft sandstone and shale. You can also hear many bird sounds as The Cliffs of Moher are home to many species including razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, gannets, kittiwakes, shags, ravens, choughs, and puffins. O'Brien’s Tower offers a superb view of the awesome face of The Cliffs. It is advisable, even in Summer, to bring some warm clothing as you will be at a considerable height on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Do bring plenty of films, or nowadays, memory!
Your guide can arrange a ferry trip from Doolin (weather permitting) that brings you right under the Cliffs of Moher and gives magnificent sea-level views of the cliffs and "The Needle", home to thousands of several different nesting seabirds.
Lahinch is a pretty seaside village that has been in existence since the 18th century but the area can trace continuous human settlement to Pre Historic times. Lahinch is famous for its Golf Courses. Golf started there as far back as 1892 when officers of the Scottish Regiment "The Black Watch" brought the game to the area. In 1943 Lahinch hosted one of the most successful Irish opens in 2019. An American Liberator Bomber made a forced landing on the beach. The entire crew managed to escape injury. Lahinch is also a surfers paradise and is regarded by many as "The Surf Capital of Ireland"
We now head back to Galway on the coast road. We progress to Black Head at the southern entrance to Galway Bay, Black Head is also known as Burren Head and legend has it that it was once the home of "The Banshee Brónach". This route has some lovely views of Galway Bay and passes through the lovely area and beach at Fanore.
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