A 530 sq km karst wonderland where limestone pavements meet the wild Atlantic — home to the iconic Cliffs of Moher, 5,800-year-old tombs, Europe's largest stalactite, and a rich living tradition of music and food.
Standing 214m at their highest point, these iconic sea cliffs offer 800m of paved pathways and viewing areas. Includes the eco-friendly underground visitor centre, the Atlantic Edge Exhibition, 19th-century O'Brien's Tower, and a 4D cliff-face VR experience. Book online for the best rates — off-peak before 11am or after 4pm is quieter.
Ireland's oldest dated megalithic monument (c. 3600 BC), this iconic portal tomb sits on the high Burren limestone plateau. Nearby Caherconnell Stone Fort is a superbly preserved 1,000-year-old ringfort. Both are open-access sites with on-site interpretation panels.
Choose from short heritage trails in Ballyvaughan, Corofin, and Lisdoonvarna, or longer routes like the Black Head Loop (26km, hard) and Caher Valley Loop (14.5km, moderate). The 123km Burren Way spans 5 days from Lahinch to Tubber. Trail maps are downloadable as PDFs from the Geopark website.
Aillwee Cave, one of the oldest in the Burren, features a show cave and a Birds of Prey Centre with hawk walks. Doolin Cave is home to the longest free-hanging stalactite in the Northern Hemisphere. Both are paid attractions — check individual websites for prices and hours.
Fanore Beach offers a large sandy beach and dune system popular with swimmers, surfers, and walkers (lifeguards in summer, toilet facilities, and parking available). Flaggy Shore features spectacular limestone pavements and 'biokarst' sculpted rocks — ideal for a gentle paved walk along the shore.
A gem within the Geopark, managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Trails range from a 30-minute nature walk to the challenging 5.5km Mullaghmore Loop. A free shuttle bus runs from the Information Point in Corofin to the trailhead from May to September (every 30 min, 9:30am–5pm). No parking or toilets at the trailhead itself.
Live trad sessions happen nightly in pubs across the Geopark — Doolin is internationally renowned as a music hub, and Lisdoonvarna is home to the famous Kilfenora Céilí Band (playing over 100 years). Pull up a stool and soak in the authentic sound of the west.
Follow the Burren Food Trail for chef-led restaurants, farmers markets, and local producers. Highlights include the Burren Smokehouse, St Tola Goat Cheese, and seaweed foraging walks. Key food festivals: Slow Food Clare (May) and the Burren Food Fayre (October).
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