Is The Burren worth seeing?

We stopped in the Burren on our way from the Cliffs to Galway last August and wished that we had more time. You might want to check into tours to get more out of the experience. The landscape is like nothing we had ever seen before. It was awesome to see something as old as the Poulnabrone Dolmen (portal tomb). The flora in the Burren was starkly beautiful.

You didn't put your home in your profile-then we would maybe have something to compare it with. For example, why would anyone want to drive from Phoenix to Tucson, through a barren desert. Well, it turns out to have considerable value to some people.

We're glad we spent most of a day in The Burren, with two up-River Shannon area residents who made it special for us. It's not fair to accuse you of Check-Box Tourism when there's no evidence of it. But looking over the Cliffs of Moher is good for a few minutes. The Burren and then seafood and a view across Galway Bay - that's an experience and a memory! No, it's not pretty enough to want to sleep there, but many artists, naturalists, and Celtic historians would disagree with me on that.

We spent some time exploring the Burren a few years ago as part of a walking tour. I'm so glad we were able to see such an unusual place. Tiny little microcosm "gardens" full of tiny little flowers in the crevasses of the stark rock flats. It was an amazing place and well worth seeing-to us, anyway.

Absolutely! This is a must, as the Cliffs of Moher are right there. What about Inishmore / the Aran Islands-- the ferry goes from Galway (wonderful town), and it's a lovely and quick ride out there. The islands have ancient ruins-- Inishmore has clochan (beehive-shaped hovels), stone circles, a natural swimming pool, and wonderful walks. I stayed there for ten days and enjoyed the island.

To get a better understanding of the subleties of burren geology & plant life, take a guided tour. Rick's book mentions a guide, and you can also stop by the Burren Center museum in Kilfenora and arrange a guide at their front desk. I was on a bicycle, so my ride was part of the charm (lots of hills to go with the scenery), but with a car, you can cover a lot of ground quickly. There's another small neolithic tomb about a mile north of the Polnabroune dolmen, in the corner of a farmer's field. It's been a magical place for a really long time, and if you're interested in nature or ancient civilizations, seeing The Burren is worth it if you're going to be so close.

BTW, the ferry to Inishmore departs/arrives from both Rossaveal in County Galway and Doolin in County Claire, but not from Galway town.

Notice that the chowder in each town is a little different than the one down the road, and all good! Don't miss any "trad" music perfomances you can attend or drop in on!

On my first trip to Ireland, I skipped the Burren. I only had ten days, and that was an easy place for me to skip - it didn't sound all that thrilling. On my second trip to Ireland, I decided to spend half a day in the Burren. I loved it and wished I had more time. It's very interesting and different terrain, there's a lot to see, and it's a great place for walking. If I ever get back, I would try to spend more time there.

We loved the Burren! The "moonscape" did remind us of the lava-hardened areas on the Big Island of Hawaii. The word that comes to mind is "desolate," but when you really look around, you see beautiful colorful flowers everywhere.

Please make the time to check it out! My Mum is from the Wild Hills of East Clare - you can say that in all of Ireland my heart belongs to "An Clár - The Banner County" - but more importantly to The Burren - it is a MUST on every trip home I make. Cannot wait to see it in August.