Luxury Guided Tour of Ireland's Hidden Gems with Irish expert Susan Byron - New Tour Dates announced for 2018

Mullaghmore - heart of the Burren

Every country has its own sacred mountains one of ours is Mullaghmore, in County Clare and the other is Croagh Patrick in County Mayo. This enigma in the Burren was folded into its dramatic, layered shape by colliding tectonic plates far beneath the earth's surface, millions of years ago. Although officially protected as part of the Burren National Park you won’t find any boundary walls or fences here, well nor yet, anyhow. The unplanned building of an interpretative centre at the base of Mullaghmore was prevented from going ahead in 2000, because of strong opposition by locals and Michael D Higgins, now President of Ireland, who feared the site would be destroyed. Which probably was a good thing at the time, as we have far more value on our conserving our unique heritage now. And no doubt some sort of tourist infrastructure will be put in place in the future, there is already a waymarked path that has been signed out with various degrees of difficulty which has improved access, judging by the amount of cars that were there on my last visit and there is a free shuttle bus from Kilnaboy during the summer. But for the mainpart it is still truly one of the last, most natural, peaceful and unspoiled landscapes you will encounter in Ireland....

Mullaghmore mountain, the Burren, County Clare

10 Other things to do in the Burren near Mullaghmore....

1 Father Ted's House right at the T-junction about a mile up, you cant miss it? you can even have tea if you phone in advance ah go on, go on, go on....

2 Lough Bunny, a curious turquoise crystal clear limestone lake, great spot for a paddle or a picnic.

3 Killnaboy strange double branched stone cross set into the gable end of the church and free shuttle bus through the summer into the Burren National Park.

4 Burren Yoga Centre relax and rejuvenate in this extra special place under the guidance of Dave Brocklebank, classes and weekend courses available throughout the year, excellent vegetarian food.

5 Kilfenora cathedral town with its ancient high crosses, famous Ceilí music tradition and band, details of local sessions, Vaughan’s pub.

6 The Burren Centre a charming locally run information centre in Kilfenora with audio visual and exhibition. Staff are extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

7 Corofin another former market town, with a good tradition of music food & hospitality, pretty fishing lake with cottages on the hill.

8 Dysert O’Dea Castle and archaeology centre with guided trail map.

9 Clare Heritage & Genealogical Centre an interesting resource for anyone trying to trace their Clare ancestors.

10 Caherconnell the only excavated stone fort in the Burren, gift shop and restaurant and sheepdog demonstrations, check the website for times.

For more information on Mullaghmore and the Burren please click here