Burren Botany Talk and Walk

A mini introduction to the Burren landscape and flora in the Burren Botany Bubble.

Burren Botany Talk

• Find out what The Burren is and why it is one of the top locations for botany in the world.
• Learn about The Burren Nature Sanctuary, a unique, award winning and innovative conservation project
• Learn how Arctic, Alpine, Mediterranean and tropical plants flower side by side in this unique landscape
• See flowers in season in the Burren Botany Bubble

Burren Nature Walk

• Continue around the walks with your map and detailed guidebook (self guided) to explore the site (English language only at present)
• Find the art installation audio discovery points (English, Irish, French, German and Spanish)
• Visit the Disappearing Lake
• Walk through the Wild Orchid meadow
• Meet the friendly farm pets and rescues
• Walk the Burren Loop (1k) through shattered limestone pavement
• Ask any questions you have about The Burren, your itinerary or suggestions for free and paid sites to visit in the area

Watch Mary introduce some Burren Plants on You Tube here 

 

Frequently asked questions about The Burren Botany Talk and Walk

 

How long will  The Burren Botany Talk and Walk take? 

The talk will take about 20 minutes in the Burren Botany Bubble and Waterfall Garden

There are two self guided looped walks of about 20 minutes each

Visitors continue from The Burren Botany Bubble down the ancient Boreen to the Disappearing Lake (Turlough) walk back towards the cafe through the Wildflower meadow. Feel free to  take a break in the cafe if you wish. Continue past the farm pets and rescue animals to enjoy The Burren Walk through shattered limestone pavement past the ruins of a famine village. This loop takes approximately 20 minute through our 25 acre re-wilded area dedicated to wildlife. Foxes, badgers, pinemartins and other nocturnal mammals live here.

How long do people normally stay on site for The Burren Botany Talk and Walk?

The average length of stay is 2 hours but daily admission is included so you can stay all day. The minimum length of time you will need is one hour.

Where is The Burren Nature Sanctuary?

We are 1k from the pretty seaside village of Kinvara, in the Galway region of The Burren. We are 30 minutes from Galway City and Ennis.

We are 40 minutes from Shannon airport and about 2 1/2 hours from Dublin.

The 350  bus goes frequently from Galway City to Kinvara. The bus stop is 1k from us about 15/20 minute walk.

What is The Burren Nature Sanctuary?

We are a conservation project and visitor attraction focusing on interpreting the nature of The Burren. Find out more here

Who is your head Gardner?

The gifted plantsman Edward Dee curates the collection. Watch him playing his Cello to the plants in the Burren Botany Bubble  here

What is The Living Collection of Burren Flora?

Burren Nature Sanctuary in partnership with The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin and The Plant Sciences Department, Galway University, started this collection in 2012 as part of a seed saving project for Ireland's National Native Seed Bank. The Wild Flower Meadow is an important seed collecting site for The Burren area.

Why is The Burren Nature Sanctuary such an important and biodiverse site?

You will learn all about this in The Burren Botany Talk. In a nutshell this 50 acre farm has been certified as organic for 30 years and before that fertilisers or chemicals were never applied.

The farm has a mosaic of Burren Habitats; Orchid Meadow, Woodland, Shattered Limestone Pavement, traditional stone walled paddocks, hedgrow, boreen  and a unique Wetland area supporting a wide variety of  native wildlife and biodiversity

What animals can you see on the farm?

We rescue and rehome animals so they can change.  Our resident farm pets are Frisky the Feral Burren Goat (rescue) , Chino and Mocha the pygmy goats (farm pets) Frank the llama (rescue) Dolly and Zeus the Alpacas (Frank's companions) Emila and Flora the Juliana Pigs (farm pets) , Zorro and Wesley the Vallais Blacknose sheep (farm pets) The donkeys; Buzby, Cookie, Bobbie Jo, Nollaig and Honey (rescues) Our retired cows Buckle and Braces (Belted Galloways) Petal (Scottish Highland) -The cows are part of the conservation management plan for the meadow. Toffee and Bailey the horses (farm pets- Haflinger cross Clydesdale)

You can purchase feed from a dispenser for 50c (all proceeds to animal welfare) or pick some grass or leaves for the goats! They won't say no!

Can you donate to support the conservation project and rescue animals?

Yes you can leave a donation for animal upkeep in the bird box donation box in the lobby if you wish.

We would also be delighted if you  become a patron 

The Burren Nature Sanctuary got hit hard by Covid and any support is greatly appreciated.

Can I help in any other way?

Yes! A google ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating or review is very valuable to the sanctuary. Tap your phone in the lobby to connect straight to Google

A trip advisor Viator or Get your guide review is also very helpful

You can review this product at the end of the page.

Thank you

 

Latest review of The Burren Botany Talk and Walk

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Personal friendly attention, very knowledgable And gave very good advice for visiting the rest of The Burren, excellent