The Burren
The Burren
4.5
About
Bare limestone plateau characterized by carboniferous limestone abounding in corals, mollusks and other fossils that lived in the shallow seas over 300 million years ago.
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- Mark C45 contributionsBarren beauty in the Burren.This is a fascinating geological area totally unique to Ireland. There is a special beauty to the baroness of the Burren. The flora is also special including many that are found only here. There is an ancient burial site dating back at least 5,000 years. We encountered a surprise in being able to hear a live cuckoo!Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 May 2024
- The_Wanderer1992Columbia, Maryland2,603 contributionsNeat Rock FormationsAs riding on our tour bus through Ireland, we had a quick stop to see The Burren. I wish I had more time to see what else was in the national park as the rock formations were really neat. It was very windy, and the Atlantic was wild.Visited November 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 November 2024
- Jay BFairhope, Alabama1,116 contributionsMystical, Magical Natural BeautyWe spent most of one day driving through The Burren and thoroughly enjoyed the views. The Burren is dominated by striking, unusual limestone formations and landscapes. Despite the harsh appearance, The Burren is alive with wildlife, flowers and vegetation. I highly recommend taking some time to explore this beautiful place.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 December 2024
- Jamaalg212New Jersey226 contributionsA Surreal Landscape Straight Out of a Film SetThe Burren is like stepping into another world—one that feels both timeless and otherworldly. As an artist and filmmaker, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by its stark beauty and harsh, yet hauntingly picturesque scenery. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop, take a deep breath, and let your imagination run wild. Walking across the rugged limestone terrain, it felt like I was on the set of a Christopher Nolan film—a desolate, alien landscape with layers of mystery and history. The cracks and crevices in the rock look like they hold secrets from centuries past. There’s something cinematic about the way the light changes across the stones, creating shadows and textures that feel alive. The history of the place is as striking as the scenery. During Cromwell's conquest of Ireland, prisoners were sent here and abandoned—left to survive in this harsh, unforgiving environment. Knowing that made the experience even more surreal. It’s a place where beauty and tragedy coexist, and that contrast adds so much depth to the experience. The Burren is not your typical lush Irish landscape; it’s raw and almost barren, but that’s what makes it so captivating. The emptiness feels full somehow, as if the stones themselves have stories to tell. I spent hours wandering and photographing, trying to capture its unique character. If you love places that spark your creativity, this is a must-visit. Whether you’re drawn to its stark beauty, fascinated by its history, or just looking for a spot to let your imagination wander, The Burren doesn’t disappoint. It’s Ireland, but not the Ireland you’d expect—and that’s what makes it unforgettable.Visited October 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
726 reviews
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Very good
237
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50
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2
Terrible
3
MeeShellMidwifeRN
Turlock, CA658 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
The Burren history is interesting, the sea floor that has risen to the lands surface. Reminds me a bit of lava rock but with more cracks and very deep crevices. A quick 15 minutes stop is all you need here.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat_S_from_MN
Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN9 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
The Burren is a fascinating place and worth a visit; it has a desolate, rugged beauty. Definitely worth stopping to see Poulnabrone. I wish he could have walked some of the trails and spent more time exploring but we only had time for a short visit
Written 6 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mountain Hiker
5 contributions
Aug 2021
This is definitely worth seeing if you are near the Cliffs of Moher, but one can hike, sit on a rock and contemplate life or gaze across the ocean to Galway bay and the seven bends of Conamara. you feel like you are in another place or time, see the Poulnabrone (an ancient tomb almost 6,000 years old). As you drive through the whole Burren area - go slowly - there are many places you will want to stop and take pictures and if you drive too quickly, There are some interesting signs with information about the area.
Written 12 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Mineral, VA1,043 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
After leaving Galway on our coach tour, and heading on to Donegal, we drove through The Burren. We even pulled off the road at one point, to take pictures. Pictures of what? It's not pretty at all, or interesting to look at. The best part of the trip through The Burren was the stories our Tour Director was telling about Ireland....not about The Burren. If you have to go through it on your way to someplace else, that's fine. But I wouldn't make a special trip just to see it.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
machinmad
Yaxley, UK2,681 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
The drive along the R477 coastline is magnificent…we visited on a day when an Atlantic storm was screaming against the shoreline. The white water it made and the giant waves that crashed against the rocks made for an exciting vista. The rocky geology creates are “moonscape” which is unlike any other landscape I’ve seen. There are several info boards along the road to tell you all about the history of the area.
Well worth a look if you are in the area.
Well worth a look if you are in the area.
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loraineangel
Las Vegas18 contributions
We stayed in a thatched cottage for a week in the area known as The Burren, County Clare. If you are looking for peace and quiet, this is the place for you! The Burren is famous for it's flowers and rural landscape, but there are plenty of pubs and restaurants if you want to liven things up a little! We stayed in Oughtdarra, just outside Doolin which is known as the music capital of Ireland. It has several pubs with live Irish music every night - we found it to be quite a wild party, and the Guinness flowed freely! We happened to be there on St John's Eve, and the local lads built an enormous bonfire outside our favorite pub, MacDiarmadas. The Burren has a lovely perfumery which makes teas and soaps from local flowers, and there are lots of other attractions - The Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands an easy ferry ride away, and several caves, castles and stately homes. It's a great place to get a taste of the rural life and to see some unspoilt Irish scenery. Probably the highlight of the trip though, was the people. We found the Irish to be kind and friendly - they have great senses of humor and a twinkle in their eyes - those Irish eyes always seemed to be smiling!
Written 25 July 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason G
Baltimore, MD700 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The Burren is definitely an iconic area of Ireland that you need to visit, if nothing else for it's unique rocky landscape. As for how long you spend, you can honestly see the highlights in a few hours, or you can spend a day if you really want to hike and explore. At the very least, stop at Leamaneh Castle for a few quick pics from the outside (you can't go in), pay to visit Caherconnell Ring Fort (if you haven't seen other ring forts in Ireland), see Poulnabrone Dolmen (it's free and unique), and explore Aillwee Caves (if you're a lover of caves--otherwise, you can probably skip this).
Written 25 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MAChivers
Belleair Beach, FL252 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
The Burren was listed as the top 10 Most Beautiful places to visit, but I disagree. It is barren and boring. We parked our car and walked a trail just because - the trail ended at a little cottage that offered tea and biscuits that were really good. It's really the only thing we did while we are there. I do think there are other things to see there that may be interesting and maybe we just missed out. I would not recommend it - although my husband said he thought it was pretty cool.
Written 12 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara L
14 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
My friend and I booked a walking tour of the Burren area before arriving in Ireland. Shane met us at the church in Ballyvaughan and drove us and another couple to the beginning spot for the tour. He was incredibly knowledgeable, informative and funny. We stopped multiple times along the way to learn about the geology, farm animals, ring forts, etc. I highly recommend booking this tour before you go - we ended up changing our travelling route so we could experience this, and it was definitely worth it!
Written 15 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DoloresJacoby.Let’sTravel.98368
West Palm Beach, FL12,441 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
Hiring a car to drive through this area was a brilliant thing to do. Underground lakes, rocks, limestone formations, caves, abbeys, and more. I was blessed to see two rainbows over the landscapes. The terrain seems otherworldly in some areas. There are many castles, abbeys, churches lakes and sights to see along the way. I love the Burren Perfumery for a stop--it's a real destination visit.
Written 23 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inchiquin farmhouse looks like a nice place to stay.
Written 28 August 2018
mbecerracano1
New York City, New York
I am planning to go to The Burren in October. I would like to stay with a local family for 3 weeks. Any advice? Thank you. Margarita
Written 24 June 2018
Hi Margarita
I’m afraid I can’t help with your query as I’m not from the locality of the Burren and I don’t know the local people. I wish you well and have a fantastic trip to Ireland.
Regards
Mary
Written 24 June 2018
hello,
where is this Lehinch area you golfed?
thank you
Written 12 January 2018
Do you have any hikes around the Burren to recommend? Will only be in this area 1-2 days - also still looking for a quaint B&B. Coming from Dublin and will be heading South east... after time here. Any recommendations are appreciated.
Written 15 July 2016
I stayed at the Ballyvaughan Lodge - excellent see review. There are plenty of walks within the Burren National park which are signposted. If you park about a mile away from Father ted's house there are 4 well sign posted walks.
Written 19 July 2016
My family and I are visiting County Clare in March 2016. As part of our vacation, we would like to go horseback riding and I think Daly's Equestrian Centre would be a good choice. Do you know if Daly'e Equestrian Centre operates trail rides in March?
Written 24 January 2016
Going to visit next week, very excited. I've been told that ticks might be a problem. How big a problem?
Written 20 April 2015
How much does it visit to cost cliffs of moher and burren
Written 6 March 2015
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