The Burren is an area of County Clare, in the southwest of Ireland. It is a karst landscape consisting of a vast fissured pavement of glacial-age limestone, with different habitats through cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations and archaeological sites.
What is karst?
It is limestone from the Ice Age that has been eroded over time by water, forming the many karst features that can be seen in the Burren today.
A must see at the Burren Nature Sanctuary is the Turlough or Disappearing Lake, at the southeast corner of the farm, which is a typical karst feature. It is an upwelling of the Blackwater River which has cut through the limestone and flows underground from the Derrybrien Hills to Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara Bay. The Geological Society of Ireland was able to trace it with dyes.
Fauna of the Burren
The main animals that can be seen in the Burren region are:
- Bats
- Badger
- Fox Cubs
- Pine marten
- Slow Worm
Feel free to buy this book to learn more about the complete wildlife of Ireland: https://www.burrennaturesanctuary.ie/product/collins-complete-irish-wildlife-by-paul-sterry/
Birds of the Burren
The Burren is particularly rich in birds, with more than 70% of Ireland’s breeding birds recorded in the area. Seven species, including the peregrine falcon, are found in the area. You can also observe blue tit, teal, snipe, raven, gull, cuckoo or heron depending on the season.
For both the beginner and the more experienced birdwatcher, this is an ideal and practical guide to take with you wherever you go:
RSPB What’s that Bird? by DK
Another detailed guide:
Collins Bird Guide by Lars Svensson
Flora of the Burren
The Burren Nature Sanctuary is a member of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International working in synergy to protect the world’s plants.
The wild flowers are delicate and may only bloom for a short time each year. The Burren is a rich and unique area for botany. Flowers from different biomes of the world bloom happily side by side, creating an impressive and diverse mix of rare and varied flora.
In the botanical bubble, you can see Arctic plants growing alongside Mediterranean flowers or subtropical plants.
The best guides to easily identify the flowers of the Burren and all of Ireland can be found at this link:
The Wild plants of the Burren and the Aran Islands by Charles Nelson
The Wildflowers of Ireland: A Field Guide by Zoe Devlin
What is the role of agriculture?
Agriculture is essential to the survival of the Burren’s flora. Cattle, sheep, and goats graze the hills in the winter when water is available, keeping the grass short and the Burren free of overgrown brush.
In the summer, when the natural springs dry up, livestock are moved to the lower meadows, allowing the flowers to flourish on the hills undisturbed.
A must-read botany book for understanding the world around us:
I hope you have enjoyed this presentation of the Burren region, I invite you to come to the Burren Nature Sanctuary to have a magical experience of the Burren’s flora and fauna!