The Burren - wild flowers and ancient sites
This delightful area of western Ireland is famous for its wild flowers, limestone landscape and fascinating history.
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Dates
To be confirmed
Leader
To be confirmed
Price
To be confirmed
Included
Local transport as specified in itinerary. Seven nights accommodation, half board.
Not included
Travel to Lisdoonvarna. Lunches. Refreshments. Gratuities. Travel insurance. Covid tests and associated costs.
Group size
Minimum 5, maximum 14.
This delightful area of western Ireland is famous for its wild flowers, limestone landscape and fascinating history.
The Burren is known for its unusual collection of plants, ranging from those of the western lowlands of the British Isles to arctic, alpine and mediterranean species. In amongst the limestone pavement grows a fascinating flora including colourful flowers, ferns, miniature trees, and several orchids including Dense-flowered Orchid, Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid and the snowy-white O’Kelly’s Orchid. The limestone ’pavement’ reaches the sea forming an attractive coastline and, to the north, lie the wildlife-rich shores of Galway Bay.
We will visit the eastern turlough lakes, plant-rich marshes, remote slopes clothed in hazel woodlands, the unique landscape of Mullach Mor mountain and the infamous shores of Galway Bay. Nearby are the stunning Cliffs of Moher, the second tallest sea cliffs in Europe and home to Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot and Black Guillemot. As well as botanical treasures, there are often good numbers of butterflies and dragonflies to be seen. The Burren also boasts an historical heritage dating from the Neolithic and we will visit historic sites, such as Poulnabrone Dolmen Tomb and Corcomroe Abbey.
On the free day, you can take a day’s boat trip to visit the Aran Isles w here Gaelic is still spoken by the inhabitants. On the return, the boat trip can be extended to see the nesting seabirds at the Cliffs of Moher.
The holiday starts and finishes at our hotel in Lisdoonvarna: you can choose to travel by train and ferry from the UK, or fly from your local airport. We can advise on travel and arrange local transfers and flights as needed.
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Please note that holidays change, although sometimes only slightly, from year to year and previous trip reports may not reflect the planned itinerary, or other holiday details, for the current trip. Please ask us if you would like to know of any significant differences.
Day 1 We meet at our accommodation in Lisdoonvarna, a small spa town on the edge of the limestone. Our evening meal will be at one of the pleasant local restaurants nearby.
Day 2 We explore the beautiful area around Poll Salach where limestone pavement stretches out into the sea. In the cracks of the rocks grow many plants including ferns, orchids, and many dwarfed shrubs and ‘trees’. Amongst the many plants to be found are the Burnet Rose, Mountain Avens, Hoary Rockrose and Bloody Cranesbill. In the afternoon we will walk in the Caher Valley to look for Spring Gentian.
Day 3 We travel east to the saucer-shaped mountain of Mullach Mor and the turloughs of the eastern Burren. The area is famous for plants including Shrubby Cinquefoil and Fen Violet, as well as a myriad of orchids including Fly Orchid and Flecked Marsh Orchid. On our way back we will stop at the ruins of the ancient cathedral and Celtic crosses at Kilfenora and have a brief stop to see some ‘bog plants’ such as sundews and Marsh Cinquefoil.
Day 4 Today we visit the Cliffs of Moher, the second tallest sea cliffs in Europe, famous for spectacular views, clifftop flowers and thousands of nesting seabirds. After lunch we visit a stone fort at Caherconnell and the enigmatic Poulnabrone Portal Tomb, in an area also good for plants.
Day 5 Today is a free day. You can take a boat trip to the Aran Islands – it is a half hour sea crossing to the Isle of Inisheer where a leisurely walk takes you around ancient, walled fields to discover the local history and way of life. You can extend the boat trip to visit the seabird colonies of the Cliffs of Moher. A local walk, a trip to the coast, or a day in Galway or Ennis (both easily accessible by local bus) are also possible.
Day 6 We drive into the magical and remote area around Keelhilla on Sleive Carran where we walk across the limestone to a lovely moss-draped hazel woodland at the base of the hillside where the remains of a sacred well can be found and the ruins of the 7th century hermitage of St. Colman MacDuagh. On Galway Bay we will see shore plants and hopefully have views of the seals that breed in the bay. After a late lunch, we visit the ruins of Corcomroe Abbey, with ferns growing on its ancient walls.
Day 7 We walk up the slopes of Cappanawalla to see Large-flowered Butterwort and enjoy views over Galway Bay. In the afternoon, we will visit Fanore Sands to explore the dunes and seashore with its interesting fossils. We will have lunch in a village café with views to the ocean.
Day 8 Our holiday finishes after breakfast. Transfers to Shannon airport, Ennis or Galway can be arranged if needed.
Please note that the itinerary may be changed to suit the weather or other practicalities at the discretion of the leaders.
We will be staying at the luxury Wild Honey Inn, a restored 19th century inn on the edge of Lisdoonvarna with a Michelin star dining room. Wild Honey Inn has 13 comfortable ensuite bedrooms, furnished using locally sourced antique and vintage finds.
Breakfasts will be taken at the Inn, with evening meals taken here and in a variety of other nearby restaurants/pubs, including an evening at Ballinalacken Castle, a wonderful Country House Hotel not far from Lisdoonvarna with views to the coast. Lunches are not included, to allow for a variety of choices at local pubs or cafes.
Transport will be by small coach.
Travel to Lisdoonvarna
The holiday starts and finishes at our accommodation in Lisdoonvarna.
You can reach Holyhead by train. From Holyhead you can take a ferry to Dublin, and from there a train to Galway. Lisdoonvarna can be reached by bus from Galway.
You can drive to Lisdoonvarna from Dublin ferry port in around three hours.
You can fly to Shannon from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Lisdoonvarna can be reached by bus from Shannon or we can arrange a taxi.
Entry requirements
If you hold a British passport and travelling from the UK you don’t need a passport to visit Ireland. Irish immigration officers will check the ID of all passengers arriving by air from the UK and may ask for proof of nationality. You are therefore advised to take your British passport with you.
The weather should be warm and mostly sunny, although the weather in Ireland can be unpredictable and rain is possible. We will adapt our itinerary to the weather.
Coach journeys are of between 20 to approx 60 minutes. Walks are of varying lengths but not more than about a couple of miles and we walk at a leisurely pace with plenty of time for photography. At some places much can be seen on short, half hour walks but at some sites we will walk for a couple of hours or so. Some of the walking is on limestone pavement and (lightweight) walking boots are essential. There is an optional walk gradually taking us uphill (and down) on one day (about half an hour gently uphill). You need to have a reasonable level of fitness but none of the walking is strenuous.