About Us
We care. We pass it on.
Burren Farm Experience is run by the O’Rourke family, the 5th generation to work and care for this unique land in the heart of The Burren National Park. Unlike ordinary fields or hills, The Burren is a landscape that could not have been destroyed or built on by humans. Here, the landscape has always ruled the roost. Thankfully hundreds of years of experience has taught the small number of families like the O’Rourkes who still farm this land, how to cope with its unique conditions. This generational knowledge is a fascinating insight into an ancient way of life in Ireland.
A word from your hosts
“For us, farming in The Burren is a way of life, a practice that has hardly changed for centuries. Like those who have gone before us, we keep our herds small, when the temperature in our microclimate permits, we allow the healthiest cows to graze outside all year round, following the ancient traditions of winterage. And, importantly, we let our land rest. Nature helps us as long as we help it.”
Cathal O'Rourke
Farmer and expert in animal husbandry
“We live and breathe The Burren, and we see ourselves as custodians of this land. Surrounded by wildflowers, orchids, red squirrels, Irish hares, bees, pine martens, we feel the environmental value of this place and the weight of our duty to protect it. Every day is still a school day for both myself and Cathal. Everything we learn about protecting the limestone pavements, or about the importance of natural clean food for us and the animals, makes us respect the approach of our elders even more.”
Bronagh O’Rourke
Qualified Conservation Ranger & Eco Tour Guide
Every visitor to Burren Farm experience will meet Cathal and Bronagh and learn about their enthusiasm and experience.
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We were absolutely delighted with our experience with Cathal and Bronagh. We were greeted so warmly, we felt like family right away. We were able to either ride in the Land Cruiser or walk, which was great for my 70-year-old mother. We did both because the day was so gorgeous. We loved exploring the land and seeing The Burren. And Cathal let us all try hurling, which was fun. We had a delightful picnic in the ruins of 400 (?) year-old-church on their land. It was exquisite!
Very interesting tour. Cathal and Bronaugh are great at drawing you in to the farm experience. Tea and homemade scones afterward are crowd pleasers!
Please do this if you are in the area! The hosts, Cathal and Bronagh are charming, informative and wonderful! I myself rode in the jeep but the rest of the group enjoyed the walk that being said it was so nice they provided another alternative and were very accommodating. After we had scones and tea and celebrated one of our group member’s birthday. It was a very authentic and lovely visit! Thank you Cathal and Bronagh!!
Truly incredible! Words cannot describe how beautiful the farm is. We were very impressed. Even the cows were friendly. We had tea and scones in the chapel ruins among thousands of wildflowers. Please visit if you have the chance. You won’t regret it!
If you’re looking for something away from the crowds and out in nature this is the place for you. We were a family of four, kids aged 2 and 3. The tent was plenty big with comfy air beds and were made so cosy. There are clean toilets, and outdoor shower which I was sorry I didn’t get to use and an old farmhouse with a little kitchenette. It was great to see ans old farmhouse as it wa back in the day. Bronagh was so accomodating, easy to contact and looked after anything we wanted. You are right in the middle of the burren so you get to see that up close. There is a magical walk through the fields that I see the cows. It’s very safe for tbt kids to run around in nature. There is a place to cook bbq.
It lashed rain the nights we stayed and we were home dry, the tents are very robust!
So much more I could say, some prepped as you are a 15/20 min drive away from shops. I would love to go back with friends and chilll with a bbq and a few drinks in total isolation!
We were a group of 12 that stayed at campsite for 3 nights and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the stay. Cathal and Brona were so welcoming and the farm walk is a must – the surrounding countryside is breath taking and their knowledge of the local history and geography made the experinece all the more interesting and memorable. The campsite is a perfect location to explore the Burren with Polnabrone Dolmen, Father Teds House a short drive away and is within a short drive of Gort, Kinvara, Ballyvaughan, Lisdonvarna and Doolin. The different drives from the campsite reveals so many different aspects of the burren countryside and more than once we had to stop the car to savour the countryside. If you can make sure to try standup paddelboarding on Lough Bunny!
From start to finish this experience is aimed at everyone, our group had 9 people from 11yrs old to 81 years young. Bronagh, Cathal, Eoghan all played a fabulous role in giving you an insight in to farming on the Burren. We got to experience first hand feeding the cattle as well as discovering the hidden treasures on the farm. We finished off with a wonderful lunch served by Bronagh and her daughters who were great little helpers. Overall a wonderful way to discover the Burren from a farmer’s prospective and enjoy the wonderful hospitality of Bronagh, Cathal and their family.
Passed a very enjoyable retreat at the Burren Farm Experience, my two sons REALLY enjoyed visiting the calves in the morning and feeding the cows. The tents are idyllic and very relaxing, the location is superb and the hosts are soo welcoming and charming. This is a very fun, family getaway! There are many beautiful driving and cycling routes nearby, Kinvara offers beautiful sea views and restaurants. There is a big supermarket in Kinvara, great for supplies. We ll be back and next time with a bigger group!
Thoroughly enjoyed the Sunday morning Lough Bunny 10km hike – a great weekend activity! Bronagh and Cathal were great tour guides, sharing lots of info about the soroundings and leading us through the picturesque landscape towards Lough Bunny.
What an amazing experience. We went with our three teenage children and we all loved it. The kids loved feeding the cows, the area and views are stunning. We had a lovely lunch along the way and the day was capped off by paddle boarding on the beautiful Lake Bunny. Highly recommend it. Thanks Brónagh and Cathal.