The Burren Centre

The Burren Centre sits in the village of Kilfenora in County Clare, and serves as an introduction to the surrounding Burren, the distinctive limestone landscape of north Clare. Opened in 1975 as Ireland’s first interpretive centre, it is run as a not-for-profit community cooperative and acts as the information point for the wider Burren region, with walking maps and advice available from its information desk.

At the heart of the centre is the Burren Exhibition, which covers the area’s geological formation, archaeology, flora and fauna, and its people, heritage and music. A film by the naturalist Eamon de Buitléar tells the story of the Burren landscape, and a further exhibition is devoted to the internationally known Kilfenora Céilí Band and the region’s musical traditions. Audio tours and digital story trails accompany the displays.

Kilfenora is known as the “City of the Crosses” for its collection of high crosses, and the centre’s trails also take in the adjoining Kilfenora Cathedral and its crosses. On site there is a craft and souvenir shop stocking work by local Burren producers, along with tea rooms serving breakfast, lunch and light refreshments.