The Burren region of North Clare derives its name from the Irish word Boireann, which means "rocky land", the perfect name for an area of land that more resembles a lunar surface than a place for exotic and rare plant species.

The Burren is approximately 100 square miles of fissure covered limestone surface similar to what you will see at Doolin Point. These fissures are commonly known as grykes and often described as "lunar" in appearance.

By all appearances, the Burren is a barren and desolate place, but in fact, the grykes are home to a number of

plant species, some rare and only found on the Burren like the Hoary Rock Rose and Wild Orchid. You may also see some of the wildlife that lives in the area as well, like the Irish Hare, Whooper Swans and tiny rare butterflies.

Oliver Cromwell's surveyor, in the mid 17th century, described the Burren as "a savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury him". Little did he know!