Background
Burrenbeo Teoranta, the non-profit precursor to the Burrenbeo Trust, was set up by Brendan Dunford and Ann O’Connor in 2001, initially as a website to help inform people about the living Burren and the role of the local community, particularly farmers, in its care. In 2003 the Ecobeo initiative was introduced to Burren schools by Burrenbeo, aimed at investing in the upskilling of the future guardians of the Burren.
Further developments followed, including monthly walks, monthly newsletters and even a conservation café – Cafébeo, until it was decided to reconstitute Burrenbeo as a membership-based charitable trust in 2008. This signalled the significant expansion of Burrenbeo’s work programme to its current total of 26 different programmes, all based around a model of community-led conservation. Whilst Brendan is still actively involved in the charity on a voluntary basis, Ann sadly passed away in 2015, though her legacy to the Burren continues. Today Burrenbeo Trust is a thriving, inclusive organisation dedicated to shaping a brighter future for the Burren, its communities and all those who love this special place.
Our mission
Burrenbeo Trust is a landscape charity dedicated to connecting all of us to our places and our role in caring for them.
Our Vision
Heritage Conservation
A place which is valued for its natural, built and cultural heritage; whose conservation is innovative and sustainable, and can be used as a model elsewhere to help other communities realise the potential of their heritage.
Engaged Communities
People who have the opportunity to know, experience and share their heritage.
Sustainable Communities
Communities which can thrive through working sustainably with the landscape.
Our Approach
- To continue to develop as an inclusive, independent and transparent charity working towards the sustainable future of the Burren.
- To engage with local communities to generate a sense of informed pride in heritage and landscape through community stewardship, place-based and community-based learning.
- To promote sustainable communities through the concept of the Burren as a learning landscape.
- To develop models of best practice for community stewardship, place-based and community-based learning as a means of sustainable conservation.
- To disseminate knowledge, develop resources and continue to learn and grow as an organisation through the shared knowledge of others regionally, nationally and internationally.
More information about us:
Learning
We engage with local and visiting communities to generate a sense of informed pride in their heritage and landscape, both with students and educators.
Events
We carry out monthly walks, talks and annual educational events and festivals on biodiversity, heritage and landscape.
Active Conservation
We work towards sustainable management of the Burren through community-led conservation projects and the Burren Pine Project. We also actively support biodiversity enhancement beyond the Burren through The Hare’s Corner project.
Research
We are constantly looking to develop best practice for landscape management, community stewardship and place-based learning.
Advocacy
We disseminate knowledge, develop resources and continue to learn and grow as an organisation through the shared knowledge of others regionally, nationally and internationally. Through Farming for Nature initiative, we acknowledge and support those farmers who farm, or wish to farm, in a way that will improve the natural health of our countryside.
Find out more about the team and the organisation here
Find out more about Burrenbeo Trust Strategic Plan 2021 – 2023