Gentians image credit: Karen van Dorp
Spring gentian or ceadharlach Bealtaine is flowering throughout the Burren now, compelling walkers to stop in their tracks and admire its stunning blue petals. This alpine flower, that has come to symbolize the Burren, grows happily here alongside other wonders like the mountain avens and bloody cranesbill normally found in the Arctic – Alpine and Mediterranean regions. We hope you will join us on one or more events at Burren in Bloom (19th – 22nd May) this year to celebrate the Burren’s rich biodiversity in its full seasonal glory. See more details below.
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.
‘The Story of Fossil Plants in the Burren’ with Eamon Doyle
8pm, Wednesday, 11th May
A Burrenbeo Members’ Webinar
‘Burren Girl: The Search for an Irish Clan and its Legacy’
Film Screening: 8pm, Wednesday, 4th of May, Hotel Doolin
Burrenbeo member Rita Davern will bring her award-winning documentary film, Burren Girl to Hotel Doolin for its Irish premiere. This emigrant descendant retraces her grandmother Anne Davoren’s life before leaving Carrowduff townland near Lahinch for the U.S. in 1887. The film artfully weaves in both the ancient farming history of the Burren and a vibrant picture of its present-day inhabitants. The backdrop of it all is the illustrious history of one of the traditional clans of the Burren, the Ó Dubhdábhoireann (O’Davoren). Entry is free with donations welcome for Burrenbeo Trust. Booking essential at the link above.
A chance to visit an archaeological excavation in progress and BCV work
2pm, Friday, 6th May, Kilfenora
Local archaeologist Elaine Lynch is running a 3 week long archaeological training excavation at a site near Nougheval, Kilfenora and will be having an open afternoon on Friday 6th May 2pm for anyone who might be interested in coming to see what a real life excavation looks like, and to see any artefacts that have been found. Places must be booked (for free) and full details of location and what to expect will be sent upon booking through the link above.
Thank you also to all the volunteers who turned up for An Taisce National Spring Clean at Fanore beach on 16th April – a lot of rubbish was collected, especially around the river mouth and the rocky shore south of the beach. Email volunteer@burrenbeo.com if you would like to join the BCV group.
The Hare’s Corner Update – a second call for application coming soon
We are delighted to say that we are preparing to roll out a second call for applications for The Hare’s Corner project which will see more landowners in County Clare supported to take actions for biodiversity. Do keep an eye on our website and social media channels and register to be notified by email at burrenbeo.com/thc. The first phase of this project, which was launched in September 2021, supported the creation of 29 ponds, 43 mini orchards -with Irish heritage apple trees from Irish Seed Savers Association and 38 native mini woodlands – a wonderful investment in the natural infrastructure of the county. The Hare’s Corner is being funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) through The European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP)/Locally led schemes as well as the Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Burren in Bloom
Thursday, 19th to Sunday, 22nd May
burreninbloom.com
Places have been going fast, but are still available, for some of the Burren in Bloom events. At the informal opening session on the evening of Friday the 20th of May at Tully’s bar, in Kinvara, we will celebrate our natural world with a miscellany of speakers from near and far. On Saturday the 21st of May in Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan we will hear from butterfly expert Jesmond Harding and ecologist Richard Nairn about their latest work. Children will have the chance to learn to draw many of the Burren’s wild mammals with Gordon D’Arcy on Saturday afternoon and explore the bugs and blooms out in the Burren on Sunday 22nd of May. For those who can’t make it to the Burren at this time, we also have an online talk on Thursday evening with the masterful Mattijs Schouten, an environmental philosopher who spearheaded bog conservation in Ireland and whose scientific work focuses on cultural perceptions of nature. Check out other Burren in Bloom events and programme details at the link above.
Upcoming events in June and July
Learning Landscape Symposium: 17th – 19th June
Áitbheo Heritage Trainers Course: 4th – 8th July 2022
Burrenbeo Members’ Walk
April Members’ Walks had Burren farmers Michael Davoren, in Caherconnell, and Michael and Melanie O’Donoghue, in Ballyvaughan, host participants on their farms and share wonderful insights into their farming stories and practices. May will have both a dawn chorus walk with naturalist Gordon D’Arcy on 1st of May and a dusk chorus walk with ornithologists Tom and Nuala Lynch on 19th of May to enjoy the birdsong season. Registration links and details are sent to members. To become a member of Burrenbeo Trust visit https://burrenbeo.com/support-
Save the Dates in 2022!
Community News and Events page
Burrenbeo Business Members’ News in brief:
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.