What is the Burren?

Upload to this page

Add your photos, text, videos, etc. to this page.


  • The Burren



What is the Burren?

Limestone Pavement in the Burren

Due to exposure, limestone develops grikes and clints, which are evident here.

Image courtesy of Carsten Krieger.
Limestone Pavement in the Burren
Image courtesy of Carsten Krieger.

Limestone Pavement in the Burren

Due to exposure, limestone develops grikes and clints, which are evident here.

Image courtesy of Carsten Krieger.
Enlarge image
The Burren is a very large area of Carboniferous limestone, as is much of the central plain of Ireland. In the Burren, the limestone is exposed or very thinly covered. This is what makes it so special.

Over much of the area, the exposed limestone

What is the Burren?

  is drained by underground streams and cut by channels called 'grikes'. This creates the pavement blocks, which are called 'clints'.

The Aillwee Cave in the Burren

The Aillwee Cave is one of the most impressive features of the Burren, and tells us much about the geological history of the landscape. It is now a major tourist attraction.

© Aillwee Cave.
The Aillwee Cave in the Burren
© Aillwee Cave.

The Aillwee Cave in the Burren

The Aillwee Cave is one of the most impressive features of the Burren, and tells us much about the geological history of the landscape. It is now a major tourist attraction.

© Aillwee Cave.
Enlarge image

The underground streams in the Burren have created, over millions of years, some caves. One of these is the Aillwee Cave.

This impressive cave was formed by water during the Ice Age, over one million years ago.