The Burren Visitor Centre in the historic village of Kilfenora is the licensed information point for the Burren and North Clare, where visitors can gain bespoke advice on what to see, where to go, and how to get there, as well as picking up useful maps and discount vouchers.

The Burren Visitor Centre also houses ‘The Burren Exhibition, which provides a fascinating insight into the identity of The Burren, from its extraordinary landscapes, array of flora and wildlife, megalithic tombs and archaeological monuments older than Egypt’s pyramids, to the history, culture and traditional values of the people of the Burren, past and present.

The Burren Exhibition is the perfect starting point to any trip to the region, as it is hoped that visitors are better prepared to interpret and understand the landscape which they can then go out and explore, and in doing so gain a deeper appreciation and respect for this stone-carved land.

The Exhibition also includes the comprehensive film by the late world-renowned environmentalist and much-admired film producer, Eamon de Buitlear. Discover how the limestone pavement was formed, and why Alpine, Artic and Mediterranean plants which require different climatic conditions grow side by side in such abundance on the fertile rock.

He splendidly covers in film the unique interaction of the Burren’s seaboard with the Atlantic Ocean. The Burren is one of the few areas in the world where a karst environment interacts with an Ocean. The submarine life is wonderfully portrayed at the beginning of his film. True to the spirit of the European Community the presentation is available in multiple languages.

The Burren Visitor Centre also houses the ‘Kilfenora Ceili Band Exhibition’ which provides a unique opportunity to trace the music and history of the internationally renowned Kilfenora Ceili Band. With the help of visual displays, artefacts, musical instruments, artwork and acoustics the music of The Kilfenora Ceili Band will visually and aurally come to life before you. During the summer months, you may often find an aspiring, young, local musician playing live too. The exhibition takes visitors on a rare musical treat of the music of the new and old band. If you plan on visiting the Burren region, this is a musical journey of discovery not to be missed.

The Visitor Centre also houses a craft shop, where locally crafted gifts and souvenirs are exclusively available for visitors to take home a small memento of their Burren experience, and a café in their attached vernacular cottage, where visitors can enjoy home-cooked breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks for very reasonable prices.

The Burren Visitor Centre is built beside the famed Kilfenora Cathedral. This Cathedral was dedicated to St. Fachnan and built in about 1189 on the site of an early monastery.

Kilfenora, known as the city of the High Crosses, boasts one of the greatest concentrations of high crosses in Ireland, including the famed “Doorty Cross”. Not only has this picturesque village its own medieval Cathedral but can also claim the Pope as Bishop. The Cathedral is of architectural interest and contains some fine carvings, on grave slabs and on windows and doorways in the form of stone heads. The Burren Visitor Centre have a schedule of village tours during the summer months, details of which can be found on their website.

Opening Times:

March to November inclusive           9am to 5pm

December to February inclusive       Please check website for opening hours before travelling

Services: Tourist Information Point, The Burren Exhibition, The Kilfenora Ceili Band Exhibition, Ample free parking beside Kilfenora High Crosses, Maps & Guides, Discount Vouchers, Craft Shop, Café, Free Wifi.

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