Information Burren Ireland
Burren shares its name and must not be confused with County Clare’s natural rock habitat of the same name, for which the definitive article is usually employed: “The Burren”. Union leader James “Big Jim” Larkin lived in Liverpool, Belfast and a small cottage in Burren growing up. With little formal education, he started work young in life due to poverty. He became an Irish trade union leader and socialist activist, first in Belfast, but he is best known for the 1913 Dublin Lockout. The Lockout was a massive dispute between three hundred employers and some 20,000 employees and labourers who were striking for the right to unionise and for fairer pay. Many of Dublin’s poor were forced to live in terrible squalor, and this too was at issue. The strike itself was unsuccessful, with workers forced to return to employment after months of not earning. However, it was a landmark period in Irish history and employers never had the same power again. For other lessons from history concerning Burren, you can pay a visit to Burren Heritage Centre at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. For forty years from 1927, Tamnaharry Park was a convent when the Dominican Sisters of South Africa (their nationality was Irish) purchased the property. Twelve years later, the order’s Convent Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption was dedicated by Bishop Mulhern on May 24, 1939. Its altar was also consecrated,.while Dean of Dublin Dr Clery, O.P., officiated at the dedication sermon. The order moved to a novitiate in Co Kildare and were replaced until 1969 by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition. In 1969, Tamnaharry Park was bought by a family.
Attractions Burren Ireland
Ailwee Cave - Ballyvaughan
Located near Ballyvaughan, with its stalactites and stalagmites, the Aillwee Cave beneath the Burren has become one of Irelands leading attractions. An essential part of a visit to the Burren, it affords the opportunity to travel through beautiful caverns, over bridged chasms and under weird formations.
Biddy Early Brewery - Inagh
Located at Inagh, just 10 mile from Ennis on the Lahinch Road. Ireland's first pub-brewery is named after a Clare woman by the name of Biddy Early, who was renowned for her magical powers in the 1800s. Since it's opening in 1995 the brewery has continued to produce a unique selection of hand crafted beers in memory of the great woman. These include Black Biddy, Red Biddy, Blonde Biddy and Real Biddy.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - Bunratty
One of Irelands top visitor attractions, Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in the country. Built in 1425, it was faithfully restored in 1954 and has furnishings and tapestries which capture the mood and style of the times. The Folk Park, set in 26 acres, recreates nineteenth century Ireland. The Park features include a recreated village street, eight farmhouses, a watermill, blacksmiths forge, Macs pub and restaurant and a display of nineteenth century agricultural machinery.
Cliffs of Moher - Lahinch
Located just north of Lahinch on the coast of West Clare, are the Cliffs of Moher. Natural ramparts against the might of the Atlantic, they rise in places to over 215m and stretch for almost 8km.
Corofin Heritage Museum - Corofin
This award winning Heritage Museum is housed in what was once Saint Catherine's Church, which was built in 1718 by a cousin of Queen Anne. Its main theme, 'Ireland West 1800 - 1860' portrays a traumatic period of Irish history under the headings of 'Lan d'Tenure', 'The Famine', 'Emigration', 'Education', 'Irish Language and Music' and others.
