Suggested Itineraries
Sometimes it seems that there is so much to see in the Burren that it’s hard to know where to start exploring it all. Whether your interest is in geology, ecology, archaeology or just in sightseeing, there is enough to stimulate and satisfy, even on a short visit to the region.
However, to help you on your way we’ve put together a few possible itineraries, based on the time you have available to you – a half day, full day, weekend or whole week. These itineraries are based on the assumption that you have your own transport – otherwise you really would need to extend your trip for a few days (an option we heartily encourage).
The itineraries include some of the ‘must-see’ attractions of the Burren – such as the famous Poulnabrone dolmen – as well as a number of less well-known options. They include sites of significant natural and cultural heritage value, as well as some of the most scenic stops of the region.
The sites listed are on public land, unless otherwise stated. Care must be taken to ensure that no damage is done when visiting any of these sites – no picking flowers, damaging pavement, disturbing livestock etc. Also, great care should be exercised when parking at these sites, as many of them do not have any dedicated parking areas.
All sites listed do not have any entry charges, unless otherwise stated. Unfortunately, very few of the sites would have disabled access, due to the rugged nature of the terrain. Enjoy your visit!
Half Day Itinerary
Half-Day (four hours):
This trip begins in Kilfenora, at the southern edge of the Burren.
- Kilfenora (30 min): Visit Kilfenora Cathedral to see the carvings, also the graveyard and field to the west to see the high crosses.
- Kilfenora to Poulnabrone via Leamaneh Castle (30 min): pleasant drive east along the southern edge of the Burren (note the wetter shale country to the south) until arriving at the medieval castle of Leamaneh, which was home to the infamous Maire Rua. Then carry on north through the Burren uplands, looking out for the scenically situated but now ruinous stone church of Carran on the right hand side
- Poulnabrone Portal Tomb (30 min): Take some time to admire this famous dolmen, dated to 5,800 years ago, though try to avoid the busloads of tourists. Nice pavements, with well developed clints and grykes, as well as a diverse Burren flora on view here.
- Poulnabrone to Ballyvaughan via Cahermore (30 min): beautiful drive with spectacular views of Ballyvaughan valley. Stop at the foot of the hill to visit the roadside fort of Cahermore with its restored doorway and viewing platform.
- Ballyvaughan to Corcomroe Abbey (60 min): Take a stroll in the pretty seaside village of Ballyvaughan. Then head east to Corcomroe, looking out to see Muckinish castle on the left. Just after the village of Bell Harbour is found Corcomroe Abbey – dedicated to ‘Our Lady of the Fertile Rock’ by the Cistercian monks – is a superb place to admire some elaborate carvings and beautiful masonry.
- Corcomroe Abbey to Kinvara via the Abbey Hill road (60 mins): Take a walk along the old green road at Abbey hill for super views of Galway bay, great up-close views of the Burren pavements and colourful flora. Finish off in beautiful Kinvara to admire the hookers (traditional turf boats) and visit Dunguaire Castle before departing the Burren.
Full Day Itinerary
One Day (roughly eight hours):
This trip begins in Kilfenora, at the southern edge of the Burren.
- Kilfenora (90 min): Visit the Burren Centre at Kilfenora for an excellent introduction to the Burren, including a film about the region (Cover Charge applies). This community-run centre is the perfect way to get a good orientation to the region and its diverse heritage. After this, visit Kilfenora Cathedral to see the elegant carvings, also the graveyard and field to the west to see the high crosses.
- Kilfenora to Poulnabrone via Leamaneh Castle (30 min): pleasant drive east along the southern edge of the Burren (note the wetter shale country to the south) until arriving at the medieval castle of Leamaneh, which was home to the infamous Maire Rua. Then carry on north through the Burren uplands, looking out for the scenically situated but now ruinous stone church of Carran on the right hand side
- Poulnabrone Portal Tomb (30 min): Take some time to admire this famous dolmen, dated to 5,800 years ago, though try to avoid the busloads of tourists. Nice pavements, with well developed clints and grykes, as well as a diverse Burren flora on view here.
- Poulnabrone to Ballyvaughan via Cahermore (45 min): beautiful drive with spectacular views of Ballyvaughan valley. Stop at the foot of the hill to visit the roadside fort of Cahermore with its restored doorway and viewing platform. A little further north along the road is found a huge earthen fort – An Rath- also well worth a visit.
- Ballyvaughan for (60 min): Take a stroll in the pretty seaside village of Ballyvaughan, an excellent lunch stop after a morning’s exploration.
- Ballyvaughan to Corcomroe (45 min): pleasant drive, looking out to see Muckinish castle on the left. Just after the village of Bell Harbour is found Corcomroe Abbey – dedicated to ‘Our Lady of the Fertile Rock’ by the Cistercian monks – a superb place to admire some elaborate carvings and beautiful masonry.
- Corcomroe Abbey to Carron and the Burren Perfumery (60 mins): Driving back south through the Burren uplands to the inland village of Carron – a small rural village with pub, church and school. Excellent views of a turlough to the east. Drop in to the nearby Burren Perfumery for a superb short film on the Burren and stock up on gifts or a snack.
- Cahercommaun Hill Fort (60 mins). A short drive south of Carron followed by a half-hour walk to see this magnificent three-walled cliff side fort, built 1200 years ago. This is a really good place to admire the rich and diverse flora and fauna of the Burren as well.
- Cahercommaun to Kilfenora (60 mins): return to Kilfenora via Kilnaboy if there is time, with brief stops to see wedge tombs at Parknabinna and the old church at Kilnaboy with its distinctive Cross of Lorraine (on the gable) and a Sile na Gig over its doorway.
- Time permitting, why not catch the sunset from the spectacular viewing platform of the Cliffs of Moher, a 30 min drive away.
One Week Itinerary
One Week Visit
Day 1: Central Burren: As per one-day Itinerary. If not arriving until lunch or afterwards, then this itinerary can also be partially accommodated on Day 7.
Day 2: Eastern Burren:
- Kilfenora to Burren National Park (30 min): via Leamaneh Castle & Kilnaboy church
- Burren National Park (4 hours): One of the most precious gems in what is such a special landscape, well worth a half-days visit.
- Burren National Park to Kilmacduagh via Lough Bunny (60min): beautiful views west to the Burren hills and a place to see rare plants such as dropwort, and butterflies galore.
- Kilmacduagh (60 min): an extraordinary monastic complex established by St. Colman.
- Kilmacduagh to Abbey Hill (60 min): Take a walk along the beautiful Abbey hill green road – super views of Galway bay, great up-close views of the Burren pavements & flora.
- Abbey hill to Kilfenora (30 min): Return to base (optional).
Day 3: West Coast Burren
- Kilfenora to Poulsallagh via Lisdoonvarna (90 min): stop off in the matchmaking town of Lisdoon and look at the famous spas and drop in to the Burren smokehouse. Continue on to the coast via Ballinalacken Castle, spectacularly perched on a limestone outcrop.
- Poulsallagh (2 hours): one of the best places in the Burren to botanise – a spectacular collection of plants, some quite rare – in a magnificent coastal karst habitat.
- Craggagh (60min): stop off for lunch at O’Donoghues or for picnic supplies at the shop
- Fanore beach (60 min): superb little beach with impressive dune complex backdrop
- Black head (120 min): Magnificent views as you ascend the hillside, culminating in the impressive fort of Dun Irghus which has a very commanding location.
- Back to Ballyvaughan/Kilfenora (60 min): Time permitting you could visit the Pinnacle well or Gleninagh castle & fulacht fiadh all of which are marked along the road.
Day 4-5: Departing from Doolin Pier, take a trip to the Aran Islands, geographical extensions of the Burren with a similar flora and archaeological heritage. Wonderful trip, also one of the best places in Ireland to hear Irish spoken today. Try to catch the nearby Cliffs of Moher either on your way out from Doolin or en-route back.
Day 6: Relaxation day.
Morning: Try a visit to Ailwee Cave, a pleasant underground diversion for a few hours, with an excellent farm shop, gift shop and much more. Combine this with a visit to some of Ballyvaughan’s other attractions such as Newtown Castle and Bishopsquarter beach.
Afternoon: Visit the Flaggy Shore in New Quay, a delightful coastal walk with an impressive geological and ecological heritage. At its extremity is a Martello tower built c.1800AD, while at the other end is Linnane’s Lobster Bar, a great place to relax.
Day 7: Getting ready to leave
Taking your leave of the Burren after a week’s visit, the final day of the visit would be a good time to do some final shopping, or to get around to some of the sites you may have missed on the previous days. If you are looking for one final fieldtrip before taking your leave, try one of the nature reserves – Slieve Carran or Coole Park both excellent options.
Weekend Itinerary – Day 1
Day One (roughly eight hours):
This trip begins in Kilfenora, at the southern edge of the Burren. This is the same Itinerary as has been recommended for a one day visit to the region.
- Kilfenora (90 min): Visit the Burren Centre at Kilfenora for an excellent introduction to the Burren, including a film about the region (Cover Charge applies). This community-run centre is the perfect way to get a good orientation to the region and its diverse heritage. After this, visit Kilfenora Cathedral to see the elegant carvings, also the graveyard and field to the west to see the high crosses.
- Kilfenora to Poulnabrone via Leamaneh Castle (30 min): pleasant drive east along the southern edge of the Burren (note the wetter shale country to the south) until arriving at the medieval castle of Leamaneh, which was home to the infamous Maire Rua. Then carry on north through the Burren uplands, looking out for the scenically situated but now ruinous stone church of Carran on the right hand side
- Poulnabrone Portal Tomb (30 min): Take some time to admire this famous dolmen, dated to 5,800 years ago, though try to avoid the busloads of tourists. Nice pavements, with well developed clints and grykes, as well as a diverse Burren flora on view here.
- Poulnabrone to Ballyvaughan via Cahermore (45 min): beautiful drive with spectacular views of Ballyvaughan valley. Stop at the foot of the hill to visit the roadside fort of Cahermore with its restored doorway and viewing platform. A little further north along the road is found a huge earthen fort – An Rath- also well worth a visit.
- Ballyvaughan for (60 min): Take a stroll in the pretty seaside village of Ballyvaughan, an excellent lunch stop after a morning’s exploration.
- Ballyvaughan to Corcomroe (45 min): pleasant drive, looking out to see Muckinish castle on the left. Just after the village of Bell Harbour is found Corcomroe Abbey – dedicated to ‘Our Lady of the Fertile Rock’ by the Cistercian monks – a superb place to admire some elaborate carvings and beautiful masonry.
- Corcomroe Abbey to Carron and the Burren perfumery (60 mins): Driving back south through the Burren uplands to the inland village of Carron – a small rural village with pub, church and school. Excellent views of a turlough to the east. Drop in to the nearby Burren perfumery for a superb short film on the Burren and stock up on gifts or a snack.
- Cahercummaun Hill Fort (60 mins). A short drive south of Carron followed by a half-hour walk to see this magnificent three-walled cliff side fort, built 1200 years ago. This is a really good place to admire the rich and diverse flora and fauna of the Burren as well.
- Cahercummaun to Kilfenora (60 mins): return to Kilfenora via Kilnaboy if there is time, with brief stops to see wedge tombs at Parknabinna and the old church at Kilnaboy with its distinctive Cross of Lorraine (on the gable) and a Sile na Gig over its doorway.
- Time permitting, why not catch the sunset from the spectacular viewing platform of the Cliffs of Moher, a 30 min drive away.
Weekend Itinerary – Day 2
Weekend – Day 2: Eastern Burren and the Coast Road (bring a packed lunch)
- Kilfenora to Burren National Park (30 min): Driving east past Leamaneh Castle and Kilnaboy (visit the church if you missed it on Day One), before turning north passing through the village of Kilnaboy, onward then until the four-way crossroad at Gortlecka.
- Burren National Park (3 hours): One of the most precious gems in what is such a special landscape, the magnificent views of Mullaghmore mountain and Lough Gealain are matched by the stunning flora and geological features found at this site. For a leisurely visit, stroll across the pavements that skirt the turlough and watch out for rare plants. For a more active visit, scale the mountain, a thrilling hike across sky-bound limestone plateaus with unrivalled panoramas of the east Burren lowlands from the top.
- Burren National Park to Kilmacduagh via Lough Bunny (30min): driving through the quiet, winding roads of the largely unexplored east Burren, take a break at Lough Bunny – beautiful views west of the Burren and a place to see rare plants such as dropwort.
- Kilmacduagh (30 min): an extraordinary monastic complex established by St. Colman. A wonderful round tower, slightly leaning, is the focus of the site which also includes several churches with some very beautiful carvings. Gort is 10 minutes to the east.
- Kilmacduagh to Ballyvaughan via Abbey Hill (60 min): Break up this longish drive back west with a visit to the beautiful Abbey hill green road – super views of Galway bay, great up-close views of the Burren pavements and colourful flora.
- Ballyvaughan to Fanore beach (60 min): Take a break at Ballyvaughan before heading west along the scenic coast road. Time permitting you could visit the Pinnacle well, Gleninagh castle & fulacht fiadh and Black head, all of which are marked along the road.
- Fanore: (30min): Wonderful little Atlantic beach backed by impressive dunes, guaranteed to refresh and inspire the weary traveller. Failing this, O’Donoghue’s pub is only a mile further south and well worth a visit for a drink.
- Fanore to Cliffs of Moher to Kilfenora (90 mins): Try to make it to the Cliffs for the sunset, though a longish drive it is really spectacular. Back to base then at Kilfenora, unless you fancy some food, drink and song at Doolin.
There is a lot more information on different things to do in the Burren, places to stay and eat with the Burren Ecotourism Network. For more information please view here www.burren.ie
More information on visiting the Burren region:
Towns & villages Monuments Nature Visitor Conservation – what can you do?