The Burren Food Trail

The Burren Food Trail brings together farmers, fishermen, chefs and food producers across the Burren region of County Clare, on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Based around the village of Corofin and taking in the wider Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, the trail links farmers’ markets, cafés, restaurants and gastropubs where the produce of this distinctive limestone landscape and the surrounding coast finds its way onto the plate.

The trail was formed in 2012 by a collective of local producers who wanted to make the connection between growers, retailers and cooks central to how the region welcomes visitors. In 2015 their work was recognised when the Burren Food Trail was named Ireland’s winner of the European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) award, under that year’s theme of tourism and local gastronomy, which celebrates destinations that balance a thriving visitor economy with care for the local environment.

Members and producers associated with the trail include names such as Aillwee Burren Cheese, St Tola Irish Goat Cheese, the Burren Smokehouse, Flaggy Shore Oysters and Linnalla Pure Irish Ice Cream, alongside beef, pork and market-garden growers. Themed routes such as the Market Garden Trail, the Farm to Fork Trail, the Taste of the Ocean Trail and the Nature Child Trail help visitors explore the area according to their own interests.

Food-focused events punctuate the calendar, including the Burren Slow Food Festival and the Burren Food Fayre. Because participating businesses, seasons and opening times vary, it is worth checking the official website before setting out to plan a visit.