Burrenbeo Snapshot March 2023

Flowering now in many hedgerows is the beautiful blackthorn or sloe/ draighean (image above). With blackthorn, the flowers appear before the leaves while with whitethorn, it’s the leaves first then the flowers. The blackthorn autumn fruits (sloes) are used to make a home-made wine or liqueur to improve the body’s metabolism and prevent aging (Stary, 1991).

Thank you as ever for your continued interest in and support of our work. For those who do not yet, we invite you to Support Us by becoming a member or donating.

The Oughtmama’s ‘Monastic’ Complex –  a webinar with Silvina Martin

8pm, Wednesday, 8th March

The church ruins in a valley at the foot of Turlough Hill in Oughtmama Parish mark the remains of a medieval human settlement. In this talk art historian Silvina Martin will look at the landscape of the complex and examine its natural and cultural environment along with the archaeological record which offer clues to the life of its ancient inhabitants and their spiritual world. Registration link for this talk is emailed to Burrenbeo members. To sign up for membership please visit www.burrenbeo.com/become-a-member/

March Tea Talk

Joe Hawes and the Connaught Rangers Mutiny in India 1920

a talk with Eoin Ruane

8-9:30pm, Wednesday 15th March

When Joe Hawes from Kilkeedy and his comrades took the decision to mutiny they did not take it lightly, as experienced soldiers they knew the usual penalty for mutiny was death by firing squad. Yet on 28 June 1920 under the beating Punjab sun they laid down their arms in solidarity with the Irish nationalist cause and awaited the consequences. While small in scale this mutiny would acquire iconic status, dealing a blow to the prestige of the British Empire and providing a major propaganda boast for the Irish independence movement. Eoin is a primary teacher from Tubber with a keen interest in history. The talk is free and open to all with donations welcome at the door to go towards a fundraiser for the Kilkeedy community playground.

BCVs Update

Now that scrub clearing season has come to an end, archaeologist Elaine Lynch would like to thank the BCVs for all their hard work keeping some of the Burren monuments from being lost to the scrub. Their work has been of vital importance in the preservation of these monuments and has even led to some new discoveries!  A coastal clean-up event has been planned for Mother’s day on Sunday 19th of March in Fanore. All are welcome – just sign up here. Lots planned for the summer time including graveyard recording and an archaeological excavation. If you want to sign up as a volunteer and get updates on our monthly volunteering events please email volunteer@burrenbeo.com

The Hare’s Corner Update

Our second phase of The Hare’s Corner biodiversity initiative in Clare is coming to a close with over 270 new Hares Corners created since phase 1 was launched in July 2021. Thank you to all the participants who have made space for nature on their land and contributed to the biodiversity in Co.Clare. These new Hares Corners have included 90 mini-woodlands (over 10,000 native trees including the rare Burren pine trees), 50 new ponds for biodiversity, 100 new mini-orchards (over 800 heritage apple trees from Irish Seedsavers)  and close to 30 landowners availing of our ‘Plan for Nature’ site visit and report. This work was  funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) through The European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP)/Locally led schemes, as well as the Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service through the LBAF fund. We are currently working on a new phase of this initiative in Co.Clare which is likely to be announced in May this year. Watch this space!

Burrenbeo Members’ Walks

Our sincere thanks goes Eamon Doyle, geologist for the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark for leading our February walk in Doolin. The March Members Walk will be led by heritage specialist Rory O’Shaughnessy and Burren walking guide Mary Howard. Registration links and details for monthly Members’ Walks are emailed to members. To become a member please visit https://burrenbeo.com/support-us/become-a-member/ 

29th April – 28th May: weekend events in May for Burren in Bloom

17th June: Communities for Heritage Celebration

27th – 29th October: The Burren Winterage Weekend

For information on ongoing community initiatives and events, please scroll down on the
Community News and Events page

Airmid Natural Handmade Skincare –  are proud to be shortlisted as a Finalist in Guaranteed Irish Business Awards 2023.

Hanne T. Fisker Photography – new work can now be purchased in two new places in Co. Clare – Anthony’s at Doolin Inn and in the Morning Dew Cafe + Giftshop in Corofin.

The Burren Farm Experience – have won the Teagasc Newbie competition and will be back will be back at Kinvara Farmers market selling their award winning beef.

The Burren Perfumery – shop is open daily 10am-5pm, and their Introduction to Perfume Making workshops are running monthly.

For full information on our Business Members’ News and Events, please click here.

Support Burrenbeo’s Business friends
Find the full list of our Business Friends or check them out in the image below.

Burrenbeo Trust is a landscape charity that does not receive any core funding. We work hard to sustain our 25 plus programmes each year, connecting people with place and their role in caring for them. There are many ways you can support us.