Farmers and ecologists come together to celebrate the Bloomin’ Burren
The annual arrival of the Burren’s world famous wildflowers is truly spectacular – the Burrenbeo Trust’s Burren in Bloom festival is a celebration of this, opening the magic of this landscape to all.
Running from April 28th to May 18th in venues around the Burren, Burren in Bloom 2016 will focus on the strong link and connection that the unique farming traditions of the Burren have with the abundant biodiversity of this region. Each year, farmers in the Burren send their cattle up into the high Burren to their ‘winterage’, in doing so they are grazing back the previous season’s growth, the dominant herbs and grasses and continuously fertilizing the land throughout the dormant season. All of this has a key ecological output, one that is unique to Europe – a floral orchestra that makes Burren world famous in Maytime. In order to celebrate this, Burren in Bloom is a learning festival which will feature a wide variety of events including walks, talks and demonstrations from local farmers, ecologists and archaeologists.
Organised by the Burrenbeo Trust the events are sure to enhance your appreciation of the unique and beautiful Burren landscape. ‘Every year the amazing Burren floral bloom arrives to delight locals and visitors to the region. The Burren in Bloom festival gives people a greater appreciation for and knowledge around this natural phenomenon, one that is dependent on the unique farming traditions of this region – it is important we highlight the important role that farmers play in this floral bloom’, says Brigid Barry, Burrenbeo Trust Manager.
With events during the month on topics ranging from dawn chorus to meadow blooms, from stone axes to bees there is plenty to attract a wide range of people that wish to know more about this intriguing phenomenon.
The Burren in Bloom Festival is coordinated by the Burrenbeo Trust a landscape charity dedicated to connecting all of us to our places and our role in caring for them. For more information on the event go to www.burreninbloom.com.