The Burren Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About

Don’t be fooled by its size! The Burren occupies a mere 0.5% of the island of Ireland, but within this compact area lies a world of wonder.

Human history in the Burren stretches back an impressive 6,000 years! The first inhabitants arrived over this time period, leaving their mark on this ancient landscape.

The Aran Islands, now Ireland’s beloved island chain, were once part of the Burren! Rising sea levels at the end of the Ice Age cleaved them apart, whispering tales of a bygone era.

The Burren boasts one of Europe’s largest karst landscapes. Imagine a network of caves and hidden waterways sculpted by water dissolving the limestone – a testament to the power of nature’s artistry.

The Burren’s unique exposed limestone pavement owes its existence to two unlikely partners: glaciers and prehistoric farmers. While glaciers scraped away soil, early farmers’ grazing practices helped shape the exposed landscape we see today.

Get this – a staggering 70% of Ireland’s native plant species thrive in just 1% of the island’s landmass: the Burren! It holds the distinction of having five different EU priority habitats – from flower-dusted limestone pavements to vibrant grasslands, seasonal ponds, and even petrifying springs that turn organic matter to stone!

Believe it or not, the Burren is home to roughly 1,000 feral goats! These nimble climbers, making up 20% of Ireland’s entire feral goat population, contribute to the ecosystem by keeping vegetation in check.

The Burren’s limestone isn’t just beautiful, it’s incredibly thick – reaching up to a staggering 780 meters in some places!

Calling all wildflower enthusiasts! The Burren boasts 23 of Ireland’s 27 native orchid species, making it a haven for these delicate beauties. It’s also the sole Irish home to the dropwort filipendula vulgaris, adding another layer of floral intrigue.

In a unique twist, the Burren defies the norm. Here, unlike anywhere else in the cool, temperate world, livestock are herded uphill for winter grazing. This fascinating tradition highlights the Burren’s one-of-a-kind ecosystem.

The Caher River in Fanore stands out for being the only river in the Burren that flows entirely above ground. It offers a glimpse into the intricate network of surface water that nourishes this remarkable landscape.

The Burren isn’t just about plants! It boasts one of the highest densities of breeding cuckoos in Ireland, and an impressive 30 out of Ireland’s 32 butterfly species call this region home.