Fog / Mist
“There is a world apart, of elemental beauty carved by glacier, where tiny wildflowers pierce through limestone..”
The Breathing Burren
by Maureen Grady
Listen to nature’s voice
Welcome to Burren
National Park
The Burren National Park, covering 1,800 hectares in the southeastern corner of the Burren in County Clare, draws its name from the Irish boíreann, or rocky place. But the Burren has been referred to as fertile rock, internationally famous for its landscape and unique flora.
Lime-loving and acid-loving plants grow beside one another, and woodland plants grow out in the open, without a tree nearby for shade – all surviving in a land that appears to be composed entirely of limestone pavement.
Explore the park’s fascinating flora and geology, discover our walking trails, or learn about how we manage the land to protect nature in the National Park. Our Information Point in Corofin, a village 8 km from the park, is open year round and provides a free shuttle bus, which runs from May to September.
The Burren National Park is situated on the southeastern side of the Burren, in north Co. Clare. To access the park, from Corofin, take the R476 to Kilnaboy. In Kilnaboy, take the right turn (L1112) before the ruined church. Approximately 5 kilometres along this road you will reach a crossroads.
While there is a small lay-by just before this crossroads on the right that can accommodate some cars, we advise visitors to avail of the free Park and Ride service from Corofin during the summer months. Then on foot, turn right, along Crag Road, and the Burren National Park lands are on your left. This is a public road so be careful of traffic.
Boundary Map of Burren National Park
Area
S.P.A:
Location in Co.Clare
Legend
-
Lake -
River -
R480 / R460
-
Mountain Peak -
Trailhead -
Park Boundary -
Woodland
This map is for illustrative purposes only and shall not be held conclusive as to the boundaries or their extent. Please note the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage makes no representation or provides any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of this map. The use of this map, which may be altered or updated at any tiome without notice, is at the sole risk of the user.
News & Notices
Burren and Cliffs Explorer shuttle bus service launches
1 May 2025
May Events
30 April 2025
Free Shuttle Bus Service Expanded for 2025 Season
7 April 2025
Picks of the Park
Karst Landscape Habitat
Habitats
The limestone pavement of the Burren is part of Europe’s largest karst landscape. Limestone pavement has become synonymous with the Burren and covers most of the National Park, although usually in a mosaic with other habitats. Find out more about this unique habitat by clicking the link below.
Orchids of the Burren
Flora and Fauna
Orchid species flourish in the Burren. In fact, 23 of Ireland’s 27 orchid species can be found in the park. The first to flower each spring are the early purple orchid and the dense-flowered orchid. Other species here include fly orchid, bee orchid, butterfly orchid and four species of helleborine, including the rare sword-leaved helleborine.
Visitor Information Point
Learning & Education
The Burren National Park Information Point is open six months of the year from April until the end of September. Our Visitor Guides also offer an outreach programme to local schools providing information about the Burren National Park and the plants and animals that live there.
About Your Visit
The Burren National Park is comprised of a series of areas of publicly owned land located within the wider Burren region. Much of the rest of the region is privately owned. The Burren National Park lands are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and can be accessed from a number of locations.
The best way to experience the National Park is to firstly visit the Burren National Park Information Point in the village of Corofin. At the Information Point you can speak with our Guides to find out the best things to see and do, hiking routes, and join of our free guided tours (contact the Information Point to book in advance).
From the Information Point in Corofin we provide a free shuttle bus to the National Park trailhead departing every thirty minutes, and returning from the same point, from May to the end of August. In the village you will find shops, a café and campsite.
Parking is free in Corofin. There are no parking, shop or toilet facilities at the trailhead.
How to Get Here
To get to the Burren National Park Information Point please enter the Eircode V95 VX83 or the coordinates 52.944953,-9.063026 into your navigation device.
We are in Corofin, approximately 15 minutes (10km) from Ennis, Co. Clare, on the R476 road and 30 minutes (23km) from Gort, Co. Galway, on the R460.
Public transport to Corofin
The following bus routes service Corofin:
- Bus Éireann route 333 (Route 333 Timetable).
- Local Link route C5 (Route C5 Timetable).
- Local Link route C11 (Route C11 Timetable).
Burren & Cliffs Explorer Free Shuttle Bus
Book your FREE Hop-on, Hop-off Shuttle Bus Ticket!
The Burren National Park is now easier to reach than ever! Our free shuttle bus will bring you to two locations in the heart of the National Park and back again:
- Take the Burren National Park route to visit the heart of the Burren National Park.
- Take the Corofin–Carran route to visit Slieve Carran.
Burren National Park Trailhead at Kenny’s Cross/Gortlecka
Kenny’s Cross/Gortlecka is situated in the Burren National Park approximately 8km northwest of the Burren Information Point in Corofin. At this point you will find the trailheads for several waymarked trails of varying lengths and difficulties. The red, blue and green trails offer hikes over rugged terrain that take between 2.5 and 3.5 hours to complete and which all bring you to the top of the spectacular Mullaghmore hill. The orange and white trails offer shorter easy to moderate walks of 30 minutes to just under an hour. All of these trails take visitors through classic Burren habitats such as limestone pavement, stunning species rich grasslands, turloughs, ash/woodland, hazel scrub, cliffs and fen. The Burren National Park is the perfect place to experience the unique and diverse flora, fauna and geology of the Burren.
Slieve Carran Nature Reserve
Slieve Carran Nature Reserve, also known as Eagle’s Rock, lies in the eastern Burren. With typical Burren scenery, the nature reserve is a great place to experience the scenery and nature of the area. Here there are three striking and secluded hiking trails. Both the 1km pink loop and the 2.5km brown loop pass through open limestone pavement and areas of mature oak/ash/hazel woodland. This site also includes a stone oratory, a cave and a holy well associated with St. Colman MacDuagh, who reputedly set up a hermitage here in the 7th century.
Shuttle Bus Timetable
| Leaving Corofin | Leaving the Burren National Park |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | 9:45 |
| 10:00 | 10:15 |
| 10:30 | 10:45 |
| 11:00 | 11:15 |
| 11:30 | 11:45 |
| 12:00 | 12:15 |
| 12:30 | 12:45 |
| Lunch Break | Lunch Break |
| 14:00 | 14:15 |
| 14:30 | 14:45 |
| 15:00 | 15:15 |
| 15:30 | 15:45 |
| 16:00 | 16:15 |
| 16:30 | 16:45 |
| 17:00 | 17:15 |
Enjoy the beauty of the unique Burren landscape, it’s walking trails, flora, fauna, and our Burren National Park Information Point in Corofin Village, from where you can park your car and take the bus.
You can also book to go to the Cliffs of Moher and discover the charm of County Clare through its vibrant towns—Miltown Malbay, known for traditional music, and Liscannor. Explore Doolin, the heart of Irish folk, and the historic cathedral village of Kilfenora. Unwind in Lisdoonvarna, famous for its matchmaking festival and spa heritage. Step into history in Corofin, gateway to the Burren, and admire the seaside beauty of Ballyvaughan.
Each town offers a unique slice of Irish culture, nature, and warm local welcomes.
Walking & Hiking
There are many opportunities for hiking and walking in Burren National Park. For all the information on our trails, check out the dedicated “Hiking & Walking” section.
Knockaunroe Turlough
Mullaghmore Loop
Nature Trail
Slieve Carran
Protecting nature is the main aim of a National Park. Conservation work goes hand in hand with responsible outdoor recreation and visitors can help play their part by following these useful tips.
Keep to the marked trails to protect the landscape and it’s habitats.
It is important to keep to the marked trails to protect the landscape and prevent disturbance to the wildlife. Check the weather and make sure you have everything you need to bring before you set off.
Protect ancient structures
Many of the walls in the Burren are ancient structures. Please use stiles provided and refrain from climbing over walls.
Be Considerate
Remember to close any gates behind you.
Respect Privacy
No drone use is permitted without a licence and permission.
Leave What You Find
Please do not move or remove any rocks or fossils, and do not pick any plants or interfere with the wildlife.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Litter is a huge threat to nature. By bringing your waste home, you help protect the park and its wildlife, and keep the Burren beautiful.
Protect our waters
Please remember that fishing is not permitted in the lakes, turloughs or water systems in the Burren National Park.
Heritage & Culture
The landscape of the Burren has been home to people for millennia, with successive generations leaving the marks of their culture and traditions on the landscape. Prehistoric monuments, as well as structures from our more recent past, may be found throughout the park, while beautiful and rare wildflower meadows created through centuries of traditional farming practices adorn the landscape in summer. Our National Park staff can provide guided tours that will help bring the natural and cultural heritage of the Burren to life.
A Place to Learn
Explore learning opportunities at Burren National Park through nature and ecology themed resources for families, and discover more about the National Parks outreach programme by clicking the link below.
Guided Tour
Visitor Information Point
Family Activities
Our Network
Newsletter
Download this season’s newsletter by clicking the link.
OPEN:
Year round
ADMISSION:
Free
Corofin Information Point
OPEN:
Open daily 10:00 – 17:00
For more information please go to our Information Point page
Burren National Park Information Point,
Clare Heritage Centre,
Church Street,
Corofin, Co Clare, V95 VX83
065 682 7693
FACEBOOK:
@burrennationalpark
INSTAGRAM:
@burrennationalpark
