OUR PROJECTS
Why Visit Us?
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The Burren Visitor Centre, its projects, exhibitions and services, are all free for visitors to visit.
If you appreciate what we do, then we kindly ask for you to leave us a donation when you visit.
All monies raised are invested back into our projects and support the local community.
The Burren Exhibition
Exhibit
The Burren Exhibition offers an engaging introduction to the unique landscape, heritage and biodiversity of the Burren. Through interactive displays and audiovisual storytelling, it explains the formation of the limestone terrain, shaped over millions of years by natural forces.
The exhibition explores human history from early settlement to traditional farming, revealing the close relationship between people and place. It also highlights the Burren’s internationally important flora and fauna, including rare wildflowers and habitats.
Designed for all ages, the exhibition provides essential insight that deepens understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary natural and cultural landscape.
The Kilfenora Céilà Band Exhibition
Exhibit
The Kilfenora Céilí Band Exhibition explores the story of one of Ireland’s most famous traditional music ensembles. Through photographs, recordings, memorabilia and interpretation, the exhibition traces the band’s history, influence and enduring legacy. It celebrates the role of traditional Irish music in community life and cultural identity, offering visitors insight into céilí band traditions and the musicians who helped bring Irish music to audiences worldwide.
The Burren Pantry & Tea Room
Hospitality
The Burren Pantry & Tea Room offers a relaxed space to enjoy and buy high-quality food inspired by local and seasonal produce.
Freshly prepared meals, homemade baking and artisan treats showcase the flavours of the Burren. Carefully selected teas, coffee and light lunches make it an ideal place to pause, refuel and enjoy authentic Burren hospitality in a welcoming, informal setting.
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The Pantry & Tea Room prioritises working with local and regional producers, sourcing ingredients that reflect the quality and character of the Burren. By supporting small-scale food producers and suppliers, it helps strengthen the local economy and promotes sustainable, ethical food practices.
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Together, these initiatives create a positive ripple effect, supporting employment, skills development and local enterprise, while fostering a welcoming space that reflects the values of community, quality and collaboration.
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The Burren Local Craft & Souvenir Shop
Retail
A dedicated retail space for locally made products, our shop supports sustainable livelihoods and helps creative practitioners earn a fair income from their skills, traditions and innovation.
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The craft shop also plays an important role in preserving traditional skills and encouraging contemporary craft practice.
Makers draw inspiration from the Burren’s landscape, heritage and materials, ensuring that local stories, techniques and cultural identity continue to be expressed through handmade work.
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For visitors, the craft shop provides a meaningful way to engage with the local community through authentic, Irish-made products. Each purchase represents a direct connection to the people who live and work in the area, creating a deeper appreciation of place while supporting ethical, locally rooted production.
'City of Crosses' Kilfenora Village Tour
Tourism
The Kilfenora Village Tour project runs through the high-season and offers an engaging insight into the history, heritage and character of a village shaped by music, faith and community life.
The hour long tour explores significant landmarks, architectural features and stories that reveal Kilfenora’s past, from early Christian roots to its strong tradition of music and social gathering.
Along the way, visitors gain an understanding of local customs, notable figures and everyday life through the centuries.
Informative and accessible, the Kilfenora Village Tour provides a deeper appreciation of the village’s cultural legacy and enduring sense of place.
Tourist Information Desk
Tourism
The Burren Visitor Centre Tourist Information Desk provides practical advice and up-to-date information to help visitors make the most of their time in the Burren.
Friendly staff offer guidance on attractions, walking routes, heritage sites, events and activities, as well as maps, discount vouchers and above all local knowledge to help you have authentic local experiences.
Whether planning a short visit or a longer stay, our self-funded Tourist desk is a valuable resource for exploring the Burren safely and responsibly.
Cruinniú
Cultural Project
Community
What started as a ‘Winter Wellbeing Project,’ in 2024, this project
has become an innovative combination of traditional arts and music with contemporary, inclusive community practices, bridging Kilfenora’s strong heritage with new forms of creative expression, collaboration and accessibility.
The project programme supports and showcases local culture, creativity and learning. Events include talks, workshops, exhibitions, music, storytelling and seasonal celebrations that reflect the heritage and contemporary life of the Burren.
Designed to engage both visitors and the local community, these events create opportunities to connect, share knowledge and experience the living culture of the Burren throughout the year.
The project is distinctive for its place-based, participatory and capacity-building approach, tailored specifically to Kilfenora’s cultural identity and community needs.
Code of Practice
Sustainable Tourism
Sustainability
The Burren Code of Practice underpins the Centre’s commitment to responsible, sustainable tourism and community stewardship.
By actively promoting the Code, the Centre encourages visitors to respect the landscape, support local enterprise, protect heritage sites and minimise environmental impact while exploring the Burren.
The Code of Practice aligns strongly with national and regional sustainability goals and reinforces the Centre’s role as a trusted advocate for balanced tourism that benefits both visitors and the local community.
Embedding these principles across exhibitions, visitor information and daily operations strengthens the Centre’s reputation as a leader in responsible tourism and enhances its long-term value as a community-focused, environmentally aware organisation.
