EXPLORE
Discovery points
Use the key discovery points along this gentle walking trail to learn about the Burren over ground with deep insights to the formation of the landscape and indigenous Burren flowers. The Burren is the only place on the planet where alpine, arctic and Mediterranean plants grow side-by-side. The Eco-Trail at Doolin Cave also has magnificent views of the surrounding Doolin and Burren landscape stretching as far as the 12 Pins in Connemara, making for super photo opportunities.
DISCOVER
The eco-trail
EXPLORE
NATIVE TREES &
HEDGEROWS
We have planted native, indigenous shrubs and trees in order to maintain the biodiversity of the area. Biodiversity encompasses all living things – humans, animals, plants, birds, fish and the habitats in which they live. Globally, biodiversity is being lost due to increasing development, climate change, invasive alien species and the international trade in endangered species.
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ECO TRAIL VIEWS
The Eco-Trail affords some great views along the way. There is a glacial valley that was carved out by a moving glacier during one of the ice ages, the last of which was 12,000 years ago. A glacial valley is a steep-sided, U-shaped valley formed by the erosional forces of a moving glacier.
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Ballinalacken Castle
The 15th Century Castle is a ruin of a tower house built by the O’Brien Clan. It stands imposingly beside Ballinalacken House Hotel, which was built by Lord O’Brien in 1840 as his family home. In 1939 Daniel O’Callaghan purchased the home from the O’Brien’s. Today it remains in the O’Callaghan family and is currently owned by Denis O’Callaghan (Daniel’s son).
VIEWS
CREG HOUSE
This lovely 19th century house nestled under the ivy-covered cliff on the other side of the glacial valley is privately-owned. Iris Murdoch used it as the location for her novel, ‘The Unicorn’.
VIEWS
Original Cave Entrance
The cave was discovered in 1952 by J.M. Dickenson and Brian Varley of Craven pothole Club based in the Yorkshire Dales. They left their group on Whitsunday and went exploring on their own. They noticed a small stream disappearing at the bottom of a huge limestone cliff. They pulled back some boulders and dug their way into a narrow passage and managed to wriggle their way for about a quarter of a mile until they reached the large chamber that contains the stalactite.
EXPLORE
Wildflower Meadow
To continue the theme of biodiversity, we have planted some native wildflower meadows to let people experience the wide range of Irish flora and to help preserve this rich heritage. Changes in land use have put pressure on the traditional ecosystems of rural Ireland. In times past, meadows were not cut until July or August, which gave native species of wildflowers time to flower and seed. Now, with early cutting of meadows and the use of fertilisers, the variety of wildflowers has dramatically decreased.
We source our seed from Design by Nature who harvest seeds of native origin.
