Burren Botany Experience

Overview

This experience at Burren Nature Sanctuary in County Clare suits plant lovers, families, and anyone interested in native botany and wildlife.

Description

Start at reception and meet Mary for a 15 minute introduction to Burren botany inside the Burren Botany Bubble, a covered display dome housing The Living Collection of native Burren flora. This collection also supports seed collecting for The National Native Seed Bank in partnership with the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin.

Learn about the Burren’s geological history, including its formation 350 million years ago and influences from ice ages, tectonic shifts, climate, and farming. Discover seasonal plants such as Bee Orchids, Frog Orchids, O Kelly Orchids, Spring Gentians, Bloody Cranesbill, and Mountain Avens, including unique adaptations like the Bee Orchid’s mimicry to attract pollinators.

Explore the ancient Ogham tree language and use your full colour guide book to self-navigate five integral habitats: the Wildflower Meadow, Disappearing Lake (a fresh water turlough appearing every 12 hours), Shattered Limestone Pavement, Fairy Woodland, and an ancient boreen with a ruined famine village. For keen botanists, a guide to Wildflowers of Ireland is available for loan.

Discover art installations with audio guides in five languages (French, Spanish, German, Irish, and English), including a wire Dragonfly sculpture, Copper Ladies Tresses Orchid, and the Limestone Badger. Learn about the rewilded area and native wildlife protection efforts.

Meet and feed friendly farm animals including sheep, goats, pigs, and a rescued llama named Frank. Relax in the café, browse local gifts and artwork by the resident wildlife artist, and consider onsite off-grid accommodation. Your guide book includes hiking routes and free sites around the Burren, helping you plan further explorations.

Includes

• Entry ticket to Burren Nature Sanctuary
• 15 minute introduction to Burren Botany in the Burren Botany Bubble
• Full colour guide book covering flora, fauna, geography, history, habitats, folklore, and maps for hikes and sites in the Burren region
• All day access to the site’s five integral habitats: Wildflower Meadow, Disappearing Lake, Shattered Limestone Pavement, Woodland, and ancient boreen with ruined famine village
• Opportunity to meet and feed farm pets (feed dispensers available for 50c)
• Access to the café and local gift shop
• Close proximity (5 minutes) to Kinvara village and Dunguaire Castle

Excludes

• 50c feed dispensers if you choose to feed the animals

Important Information

• The Burren Botany Bubble and café are fully accessible
• Walks are not suitable for wheelchairs; however, wheelchair users can reach the animal area, the outside living flora collection in the Waterfall Garden, and the Botany Bubble
• Buggies and wheelchairs cannot access the Fairy Woodland area

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Booking Tips

Visit during spring or early summer to see the greatest variety of flowering plants. Bring comfortable walking shoes for terrain around the site. Consider combining your visit with a stop at nearby Kinvara village and Dunguaire Castle.