Cat’s paw image credit:  Judith Vega

Cat’s paw/catluibh or Mountain Everlasting is one of the delights of the Burren and so called because of its white (male) or pink (female) flowers which resemble the underside of a cat’s-paw (image above).   The silky white undersides of the leaves which look almost woolly, make it very recognisable even when not in flower. A good indicator of species-rich grassland, it is often found flowering in similar pastures as the gentian.
Thank you, as ever, for your continued interest in, and support of, our work.   For those who do not yet, we invite you to Support Us by becoming a member or donating.

‘Appreciating hazel in the Burren’ with Sharon Parr

8pm, Wednesday, 8th June

A Burrenbeo Members’ Webinar

How the mighty have fallen: from the tree of knowledge and a ubiquitous mainstay of everyday life, to being dismissed as just an ‘understorey shrub’ or ‘scrub’ – hazel in the Burren deserves a closer look.   From bushes encroaching onto flower-rich pastures to majestic Atlantic Hazel Woods, this talk will celebrate the value of hazel to the Burren’s biodiversity but also sound a cautionary note.  Dr Sharon Parr is a biologist who has been working in the Burren for the last 20 years and is the Project Scientist with the Burren Programme.
Registration link is emailed to members. You can become a member at burrenbeo.com
Recordings will be made available on our Youtube channel afterwards.

Áithbheo Heritage Trainers Course

4th to 8th of July 22

Áitbheo Heritage Trainers course provides primary school teachers and other educators with some simple strategies and resources through which they can effectively integrate the learning resource of their local environment into the school curriculum.   The course is approved by the Department of Education and fulfils the requirements for EPV days for National School teachers.   Further information at the link above.

BCV work update

Over 30 volunteers were involved in a successful 3 week archaeological excavation at a site near Nougheval, Kilfenora in the company of local archaeologist Elaine Lynch.   Animal bone, burnt bone, some pieces of metal, chert, a blue bead and honing stone were some of the objects found which will be sent for further analysis. A lovely video was made on this dig by Donal Hogan of the Burren Programme which you can view here. 

Email volunteer@burrenbeo.com if you would like to join the BCV group.

Burren in Bloom

Our annual celebration of the Burren’s biodiversity was a brilliant success with most of the events booked out weeks in advance.   The programme comprised of 7 outdoor guided walks, two indoor workshops, two evening talks and an online talk between Thursday 19th and Sunday 22nd May.   Our huge thanks to all the contributors of Burren in Bloom for sharing their time and expertise with us.   We are grateful to The Heritage Council for their financial support for the event.   A recording of the inspiring online talk, ‘Nature as a partner – changing attitudes to nature and landscape’ with environmental philosopher, Matthijs Schouten is now available on our YouTube channel.

 Learning Landscape Symposium

17th to 19th of June

Kinvara and the Burren

The annual Learning Landscape Symposium will comprise a mixture of indoor workshops, outdoor fieldtrips, discussions, and networking events, and is open to anyone with an interest in communicating natural, built, or cultural heritage and sustainability to their audiences and inspiring action.   Places are limited and tickets for the weekend start at €65.   For more information and booking please visit the link.

The Hare’s Corner

Second call for applications announced- deadline 5th of June

burrenbeo.com/thc 

Landowners and farmers based in County Clare who want to make more space for nature on their land are invited to apply for the Phase 2 call of The Hare’s Corner initiative.   If successful, applicants would be supported in carrying out biodiversity actions such as creation of a pond for wildlife, planting of a mini-woodland, planting of a native orchard and preparing a ‘plan for nature’ for their land with the help of an ecologist.   Deadline is 5th of June.   Find out more details at the link above.

Burrenbeo Members’ Walks

May Members’ Walks had bird experts Gordon D’Arcy and Tom and Nuala Lynch lead a dawn chorus in Ballyvaughan and a dusk chorus walk in Dromore woods. Our thanks to them for helping us enjoy the rich variety of bird song at this time of the year.   Registration links and details for monthly Members’ Walks are emailed to members.   To become a member of Burrenbeo Trust visit https://burrenbeo.com/support-us/become-a-member/

Heritage Keepers

Programme Update

Action plans from the various schools and groups who took part in ‘Heritage Keepers’ programme are being submitted to us.   We are so excited to support projects such as the fieldtrips to farmers in the Comeragh uplands for local primary school children, a local history of Oranmore booklet produced by the 5th class pupils of Oranmore boys NS, an expedition to the local seashore where the children of Holy Trinity NS, Westport learned about sand dunes and why they need to be protected and a project recording the historic stone carvings in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny.

Save the Dates in 2022!

17th – 19th June:   Learning Landscape Symposium

4th – 8th July:   Áitbheo Heritage Trainers Course

14th July:   Burrenbeo family walk and picnic

20th Aug:   Communities for Heritage event

28th – 30th October:   The Burren Winterage Weekend

For information on ongoing community initiatives and events, please scroll down on the
Community News and Events page

Burrenbeo Business Members’ News in brief:

Burren College of Art:  Their 2022 Burren Annual Exhibition will feature ‘No Man’s Land’- new work by North American based artist, Hugh Pocock between June 20 and July 22, 2022.

Doolin Ferry Co. have launched an exclusive range of apparel including hats, t-shirts, sweaters, jackets and keep cups.

Feel the Burren is hosting an adventure race at 10am, Saturday, 18th of June at Tubber, Co. Clare and has special offer for the first 100 people that sign up.

Fitzpatrick’s SuperValu Ennistymon will soon launch ‘Taste of Local’ – a dedicated area showcasing local producers.

Hotel Doolin host monthly live music events and have information on other upcoming Doolin events.

Slieve Elva B&B: Extending a warm welcome to our newest business friend.

The Burren Perfumery Shop is open from 10am-5pm daily with Perfumery tours taking place everyday and workshops are also available on request.

The Burren Smokehouse are offering a unique mini food trail in their new interactive “Taste the Atlantic – Salmon Experience” visitor centre.

For full information on our Business Members’ News and Events, please click here.

Support Burrenbeo’s Business Friends

We encourage you to support those who support us! Find the full list of our Business Friends or check them out in the image below.

Burrenbeo Trust is a landscape charity that does not receive any core funding. We work hard to sustain our 25 plus programmes each year, connecting people with place and their role in caring for them. There are many ways you can support us.