Description
During the walk we will identify the wildflowers of the season. April is a great time to see the early woodland flowers of the Burren. It is also the time to view the most iconic of all the Burren Wildflowers – the Spring Gentian. While early orchids start to bloom from late April, the main season for many of the 24 different species of native orchids is June.
We will interpret the landscape and understand the geology. The effects of thousands of years of human habitation on the landscape will be identified. Our walk includes a visit to an important early-Christian pilgrimage site that still attracts pilgrims to this day. Interestingly, its importance as a place of religious worship dates back way further, into the Celtic pagan era and the Iron Age.
This longer walk allows a deeper dive into the origins of the Burren, human history, religious beliefs and traditions. It also allows more time to identify more plants and wildflowers. The extended walk includes more mature hazel woodland and a couple of real surprises as well!
Paul will guide this walk.