The Burren in Bloom Festival runs through the month of May and this year is packed with a series of illustrated talks and organised walks. The Festival, in association with the Burren College of Art and the Burrenbeo Trust, gives people an understanding and appreciation of the Burren and its formation, and how it continues to be a source of great botanical, archaeological, and cultural wealth with its unique wild flowers and ancient sites. May is the time to see it at it best, but it is an amazing area of Ireland all year round.

Situated in the North West of County Clare, framed by the Atlantic Ocean in the west touching Galway Bay to its north, this lunar landscape is characterized by beautiful terraced limestone hills, green valleys and pocketed with woodland. The landscape was scoured by slow-moving glaciers and battered by oceans millions of years ago.

Walking in the Burren allows you to get up close and there have been major developments in the provision of new walking routes and associated structures and services in the region. Supplementing the existing network of green roads and local walking guides, these new walks, festivals and organisations offer something for everyone, making this a desirable and must experience in the West of Ireland.

The Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club is one of Ireland’s leading walking clubs, which organises weekly walks within the Burren and beyond for its members, as well as an annual Burren Marathon.
www.ballyvaughanfanorewalkingclub.com

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has opened a number of walking routes in the Burren National Park, some of which scale the magnificent Mullaghmore hill, affording spectacular views of the National Park, Lough Gealain and the Burren wetlands to the east.
www.burrennationalpark.ie

Burrenbeo Trust organizes monthly educational walks, which offer an opportunity for Burren enthusiasts of all ages to share their love of the area. The walks are usually led by a local farmer in conjunction with a Burren specialist. Talks take place on the first Sunday of every month.

Award winning Burrenbeo Trust is a conservation charity dedicated to creating a more informed community in the Burren. This is carried out through providing information, education and supporting research on the future sustainable management of the Burren region. Join Burrenbeo Trust!
www.burrenbeo.com

Castles that offer great access to the Burren:

Ballyportry Castle:
www.celticcastles.com/castles/ballyportry-castle

Ballynagowan Castle:
www.celticcastles.com/castles/ballynagowan-castle

Cloghan Castle:
www.celticcastles.com/castles/cloghan-castle