THE BURREN has been beavering away over the last few years to create a network of ecotourism businesses.
At a launch on March 3rd, after rigorous training and assessment to be certified as an ecotourism region, Darina Allen celebrated the region’s efforts during these hard times for tourism to support the sustainable development of The Burren’s communities, environment and heritage.
Businesses range from four-star Gregans Castle (gregans.ie) to Kilfenora Hostel (kilfenorahostel.com), a guided walk across the National Park with Heart of Burren Walks (heartofburrenwalks.com), a food smokehouse experience showing how the process works at Burren Smokehouse (burrensmokehouse.ie), to rock climbing, caving and kayaking at Burren Outdoors Education Centre (burrenoec.com).
The biggest eco surprise has to be the farm tour and afternoon tea (pictured above) with Cheryl and Pat McCormack of Glanquin House, with its 225 acres of fine Burren farmland – more famous as the location for Father Ted.
For more information see burrenecotourism.com