Burren Archaeology

As richly fascinating as the Burren so patently is in terms of its landscape and ecology, the wealth and diversity of its archaeological landscape is no less remarkable, and well worthy of the international reputation that it enjoys. Burren uplands, and allow us to trace the evolution of agricultural society from its 'hunter-gatherer' origins over six millennia ago to the present day.

The Burren has been aptly described as one 'vast memorial to bygone cultures'. For instance, some 75 wedge tombs of Neolithic origin have been found in the region, from an estimated national total of just over 500. Hundreds of ancient cooking sites or fulachta fiadh and ancient cist graves are found throughout the hills. Some 500 ring forts are found in the Burren, including the magnificent triumvallate (three walled) Cahercummaun and the chevaux-de-frise (an ancient defensive structure composed of upright stones) ringed Ballykingvarga.  

Tower houses and Early Christian church sites are also very common, many in an excellent state of preservation. The magnificent portal tomb at Poulnabrone in the rocky heart of the Burren is one of the most easily recognised monuments in Ireland, but is only one very small piece of an extradorinary wealth of heritage to be found in the Burren.

That these assorted layers of built heritage have remained relatively profuse and intact in the Burren uplands is attributable to three main factors. Firstly, the easy availability of building stone in the area which meant that existing built structures did not have to be exploited to provide new building material. Secondly, the relative durability of stone structures, compared with those made of earth and/or wood. Thirdly, the rugged rocky nature and thin soils of the uplands which makes them inherently unsuitable for tillage or reclamation for grassland, largely saving them from a fate that befell many such structures elsewhere.

For all these reasons, and the historical attraction of the Burren for farming communities, the Burren uplands must surely represent one of the best-preserved and broadly representative agricultural landscapes in Europe. For the Burren visitor this rich built heritage provides a wonderful attraction, particularly in the off-peak season when the legions of avid botanists and other visitors have departed.