Corofin
Burren National Park Information Point
The best way to experience the National Park is to firstly visit the Burren National Park Information Point in the village of Corofin and then take the bus which departs from just outside. At the Information Point, you can speak with our experienced guides to find the best things to see and do, get advice on hiking routes or pick up a map of the Walking Trails. The Information Point also offers an audio visual display of the geology and management of the Burren National Park or check out of bulletin board to see what flowers are in bloom as well as other wildlife sightings. Our guided will also be happy to advise you on forthcoming events or book you in for a free guided walk. There are also toilet facilities available at this location.
For more information on the Burren National Park click here!
Clare Heritage & Genealogy Centre
If you are interested in tracing your roots why not visit the longest established genealogy centre in Ireland situated in Corofin village upstairs from the Burren National Park Information Point. The Genealogy Centre houses the most comprehensive collection of records for Co. Clare. Their highly informed and experienced staff can provide you with an outline of steps and source material to assist you in researching your family tree and can also compile an in-depth family history report. For more information, click here!
Bofey Quinns Bar & Restaurant
This family-run restaurant caters for families, with traditional music every Thursday to Saturday night. There is also a large outdoor beer garden. Enjoy delicious food, including locally sourced sirloin steak, fresh fish from Doolin, burgers, pizza, and lamb stew. They also offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, and special lunch offers.
Morning Dew Cafe
Art gallery and cafe in a converted pub featuring homemade breakfast and lunch items that showcase local ingredients. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available. Located in the Burren National Park, this is the perfect place to have a warm meal before or after a hike and pick up some locally made cards, art, snacks and souvenirs to remember your trip.
Limestone Yoga
Operated by Colette Nagle, a qualified 500 hour Vinyasa flow Yoga Teacher, Pregnancy Yoga Teacher, Mother and Baby Yoga, Baby Massage Instructor, Children’s Yoga, and Teen Yoga Instructor together with her husband, Oliver. Limestone Yoga is open all year round in a safe environmentally friendly Yoga studio and retreat centre.
Dysart O’Dea Castle (3km from Corofin)
Dysert O’Dea Castle in County Clare is a former stronghold of the O’Dea clan. A 15th century tower house badly damaged by Cromwell’s forces in 1651. It was restored and reopened in 1986 and now houses an extensive museum, audio visual presentation and various fascinating exhibitions.
The Farmyard
The Farmyard is an educational haven offering people the opportunity to reconnect with nature. Activities include milking a cow, churning butter, farm walks or walks through the Burren, shearing a sheep, brown bread making, Irish dancing or Team challenges such as gathering the sheep, wellie throwing, archery and much more. The Farmyard is equipped with modern state of the art indoor and outdoor facilities. These include tea rooms where lunch options are available once arranged.
Kenny’s Cross/Gortlecka
Burren National Park Trailhead at Kenny’s Cross/Gortlecka
Kenny’s Cross/Gortlecka is situated in the Burren National Park approximately 8km northwest of the Burren Information Point in Corofin. At this point you will find the trailheads for several waymarked trails of varying lengths and difficulties. The red, blue and green trails offer hikes over rugged terrain that take between 2.5 and 3.5 hours to complete and which all bring you to the top of the spectacular Mullaghmore hill. The orange and white trails offer shorter easy to moderate walks of 30 minutes to just under an hour. All of these trails take visitors through classic Burren habitats such as limestone pavement, stunning species rich grasslands, turloughs, ash/woodland, hazel scrub, cliffs and fen. The Burren National Park is the perfect place to experience the unique and diverse flora, fauna and geology of the Burren.
For a copy of the Walking Trails Map, click here!
For more information on the Burren National Park click here!
Carran
Michael Cusack Heritage Centre
Discover the birthplace of the founding father of the Gaelic Athletic Association with a visit to the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre! Nestled in the sweet valley of Poulaphuca in the heart of the majestic Burren, our friendly, expert guides will take you on an immersive journey through Irish heritage. Explore the Cusack Family Homestead starting at our exhibition centre, where the visitor will learn about Michael’s story from his childhood in Carron to his legacy in creating what is today the largest amateur sporting organisation in the world. Step back in time when you enter the Cusack family’s thatched Famine-era cottage, Michael’s childhood home. Stroll into our Fairy garden for an encounter with An Púca, the evocative Aidan Harte sculpture. Experience captivating storytelling, rich culture, and breath-taking landscapes. A must-visit for history lovers, families, sports enthusiasts and those looking for an ‘off the beaten track’ experience. To learn more, click here!
Carran Village
Carran Village is a picturesque small village located in the heart of the Burren. It is notable mainly for being the birthplace of Michael Cusack, the inspirer and co-founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The Burren Way walking trail passes through the village. The village is also the trailhead for the Carran Loop, which follows minor roads, animal tracks and grassy lanes, taking in views of the Clab Valley, St Fachtnan’s Holy Well, part of Termon Hill and Carran Turlough. Accommodation is available in the village at the Clare’s Rock Hostel, which offers a great central location for exploring the Burren.
Slieve Carran (Burren National Park)
Slieve Carran Nature Reserve, also known as Eagle’s Rock, lies in the eastern Burren, form part of the Burren National Park. With typical Burren scenery, the nature reserve is a great place to experience the scenery and nature of the area. Here there are three striking and secluded hiking trails. Both the 1km pink loop and the 2.5km brown loop pass through open limestone pavement and areas of mature oak/ash/hazel woodland. This site also includes a stone oratory, a cave and a holy well associated with St. Colman MacDuagh, who reputedly set up a hermitage here in the 7th century. For more information on the Burren National Park, click here! A copy of the Walking Trails Map can be found here.
The Burren Perfumery
The Burren Perfumery draws inspiration from the flora and beauty of the Burren landscape to create its signature scents, artisan range of hand-crafted soaps, certified organic creams and candles using the very best natural and organic ingredients sourced from all around the world. A busy working factory, visitors are welcome free of charge and year-round to watch the Perfumery team members as they go about their daily tasks. All products are hand-made on-site and can be purchased in the Perfumery shop.
Heart of Burren Walks
Guided walks in the Burren County Clare. Walks usually last about 2.5 hours. Highlights include limestone pavement, wild flowers and archaeological monuments.
Irish Herbal Roots
Lisa Guinan is a professional and well renowned Irish Herbalist. Irish Herbal Roots offers guided herb walks to explore the native healing plants, tucked away behind the ancient stones. Traditional Irish medicine and folklore are both woven through this experience. Also offered are workshops on the art and craft of natural medicine making. Lisa demonstrates the entire process from wild herb harvesting to final product. Skin healing balms, muscle and joint balms, cough bottles and immune tonics are some of the herbal products that can be made. Lisa can be booked privately for a walk, a workshop or a combination of both.