BURREN CONNECT - Sustainable Tourism Development in the Burren

The Burren Connect Project

Burren Connect are working on environmental protection and sustainable visitor management in the Burren region of County Clare.
We are a resource for the local community, particularly those interested in the sustainable development of tourism in this beautiful yet vulnerable landscape.

What are we involved in?

• Information and Training
• Traffic Management
• Conservation
  
• Education
• Research (Ecotourism)
• Development of Trails
  
• Geopark

How we work?

We are based in the Burren.
We believe in the value of consultation with the local community.
We invite discussion about our Project through public meetings and this website.
We provide information about Burren related issues on our website and in the local media.

Click here to join our live discussion forum, where you can post views and suggestions.

About Us

The Burren Connect Project was established in December 2007 with funding from the Fáilte Ireland Development Scheme Fund, in partnership with Clare County Council, Shannon Development, National Parks and Wildlife Service, National Monuments Service, Geological Survey of Ireland and Burrenbeo.

The project team report to a Steering Committee, comprising representatives from the funding bodies. An Advisory Committee, comprising a range of people from various communities and sectors in the Burren, works on a voluntary basis to advise the project team and are represented on the Steering Committee.

The first phase of this project was completed on June 30th, and the team was successful in carrying out its programme of works (see home page). The team is now focusing its efforts on the further development of a visitor management and environmental protection strategy that continues the interweaving of education and awareness programmes, research, development of trails, traffic management, conservation and amenity projects, and ongoing monitoring and management of developed programmes.

The ongoing participation of members of the public in the project remains vitally important to its overall success. As such, the project will continue to hold consultation meetings on issues that directly impact on communities in the Burren.

Public meetings will be advertised in local newspapers, parish newsletters and on local radio. Please use the discussion page on this website to make your contribution.

Geopark Project

 The Burren, North Clare – a potential UNESCO-accredited European Geopark

The Burren in North Clare is renowned for its unusual and diverse flora and for its rich archaeological and historical heritage. It is also one of the most distinctive landscape regions in Ireland, featuring bare rock pavements, cliffed and terraced hills, caves, seasonal lakes, springs, disappearing streams, and a varied coast that passes south into the Cliffs of Moher, one of the most dramatic coastlines in Ireland. Because of these features, the region is a hotspot for scientists working in the fields of geology (rocks) and geomorphology (the shape of the land). Public understanding of these aspects of the region, however, is poor, and the outstanding geo(morpho)logical value of the landscape has no official recognition.

In order to tackle these issues, the potential of the region as a UNESCO-accredited European Geopark is being investigated. Recognition as a Geopark would raise awareness of the unique landscape and rocks of the region on both a local and international level.