Forging the Past: Traditional Iron Smelting Festival Returns to the Burren
One of Europe’s most unique heritage festivals is set to return to the heart of the Burren this August 23rd and 24th, as traditional iron smelters, blacksmiths and other traditional craftspeople gather for the fourth Caherconnell International Furnace Festival. Held at the ancient Caherconnell Stone Fort in County Clare—a site steeped in over a thousand years of history—the festival will feature live demonstrations of medieval iron smelting. The historic ring fort, once the stronghold of Gaelic chieftains, will become a living, open-air museum where raw Irish iron ore is transformed into replicas of artefacts such as arrowheads, knives, and belt buckles found during archaeological digs on-site. The two-day event showcases bloomery iron, the form of iron used in Ireland from 500 BC to 1500 AD—an essential material in everything from weapons of war to agricultural tools and domestic items. “This is more than a festival—it’s a live experiment in archaeology,”…
“Taste the Atlantic” at Ireland’s longest running slow food festival
Ireland’s longest-running slow food festival returns this Sunday, taking place in the heart of the Burren, County Clare, from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Burren and Cliffs Explorer shuttle bus service launches
A new hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus service connecting towns, villages, and top visitor attractions across North and West Clare has been officially launched. The free Burren and Cliffs Explorer is a joint initiative of Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), supported by Fáilte Ireland, and is available for online bookings. Running as a pilot project from May 1 to August 31 — with the possibility of an extension into September — the service links destinations including Ballyvaughan, Corofin, Carran, Kilfenora, Doolin, Liscannor, and Lahinch. It also stops at key hubs like Lisdoonvarna and Miltown Malbay, where free parking is available. Passengers have easy access to some of the region’s best-known attractions, with the service stopping off at the Burren National Park, the Cliffs of Moher Experience, Aillwee Burren Experience, Poulnabrone, Michael Cusack Heritage Centre, The Burren Visitor Centre, and Caherconnell Stone Fort & Sheepdog Demonstrations.…
North Clare students shake up national awards scheme
Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna has been presented with its very own seismograph, which will enable students to record seismic activity from around the world in real time. Funded by Research Ireland, the seismograph is being provided by the QuakeShake project, a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and a joint initiative of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) and Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) aimed at engaging the public in studying earthquakes and seismic activity. The presentation was made during a visit to Mary Immaculate by GSI Director Koen Verbruggen to mark the North Clare’s track record of success in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Mary Immaculate students have won the GSI category of the annual exhibition during three of the last five years, including most recently in January 2025. Mr. Verbruggen was joined by Siobhán Power, Senior GSI Geologist, and Laura…
Liscannor photographer puts Burren Geopark in the frame
A Liscannor-based photographer has been named overall winner of a photography competition hosted by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN).
Burren and Cliffs of Moher join world famous geological sites in Top 100 list
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher have joined Vesuvius volcano, Yosemite Valley and The Dead Sea in being designated a Geological Heritage Site in a prestigious programme managed by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).
New Observatory Guides Clare Tourism Toward More Sustainable Practices
County Clare has been listed as a key destination in the newly launched Atlantic Sustainable Tourism Observatory Ireland, which is part of a major international initiative aimed at encouraging the tourism sector to commit to sustainable practices.
Burren Businesses honoured for commitment to Geopark Code of Practice
60 businesses from across north Clare and south Galway have been given official recognition for their participation in an environmental initiative that is transforming the development of sustainable tourism across the Burren region.
Geopark Academy puts focus on unique Burren landscape
The geology, history, ecology and future tourism development of the Burren in County Clare are the focus of a major two-day event announced for May 25th and 26th.
Businesses Driving Sustainable Tourism In The Burren
A surge in the number of businesses participating in an environmental initiative in County Clare is transforming the development of sustainable tourism across the Burren region.