Carrig
House
Liscannor
Co Clare
Tel/Fax: 353-65-7081260
e-mail: info@carrig-house.com
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The
Burren is a paradise for geologists, botanists, and archeologists
The Region's extraordinary rock formations, spreading over 500 sq km,
have often been described by visitors as "a lunar landscape".
Formed some 340 million years ago at the bottom of a warm, shallow sea,
the visibly fossil-rich layers of limestone that characterise the Burren
have been modified by millions of years of glacial, tectonic, solutional
and human processes.
Farming
Many visitors to the Burren are fascinated to learn how such an apparently
barren and rugged place could have maintained a prosperous farming tradition
for millennia. The unusual attributes afforded by the region's limestone
geology allow the practice of 'winterage', when livestock are moved to
the uplands for the winter months. The advantage of this being that wintering
animals removed all the litter and grasses that would otherwise inhibit
herb growth and limit plant species diversity, without damaging these
plants during their flowering season.
Flora
The unique diversity of the Burren's flora has constantly attracted much
attention and is at its best about mid-May or a little later. It is estimated
that 70% of Ireland's 900 native species can be spotted in the Burren.
The ecosystem is noted for its curious mixture of Arctic-Alpine and Mediterranean
species as well as the wealth of orchids, (22 of Ireland's 27 native species
Heritage
As you travel through the Burren, 7,000 years of history unfolds before
your eyes, with farmsteads from the Stone Age and the Iron Age, churches,
abbeys and high crosses, plus castles and fortresses of local lords.
Ecclesiastical Sites
According to Mytum (1982) 'In the distribution of ecclesiastical sites,
the Burren is quite exceptional'. The region boasts a dense concentration
of early church sites, whilst Corcomroe Abbey, built at the end of the
12th century by the Cistercians, is one of the best-known monastic sites
in Ireland.
Megalithic Tombs
The abundance of megalithic tombs and ancient farm settlements in the
Burren Region indicate a prospering agricultural-based economy steeped
in antiquity. The region boasts over 75 wedge tombs, 2 portal tombs and
4 known court tombs.
The term fulachta fiadh means 'cooking places of the wild' or 'cooking
places of the deer'. Several hundred of these horseshoe-shaped mounds,
that could be 5,000 years old, exist in the Burren uplands.
Ring Forts
The
remains of approximately 500 ring forts exist in the Burren, varying in
diameter from 20 to 60 meters. These are believed to have supported Early
Christian farming families and were constructed during the period 600
- 900 AD.
Tower Houses
Tower Houses were built from the 14th to the mid-17th century by Anglo-Irish
noblemen and Gaelic lords, with counties under Gaelic control such as
Clare and Limerick showing the densest distributions. The famous tower
house of Lemeneagh in the southern Burren dates from c. 1490 AD. Tower
house were designed defensively to protect against cattle raids and military
threats.
Kilfenora High Crosses
The main
glories of the historically rich cathedral village of Kilfenora are it's
high crosses. The village was often referred to as the city of the seven
crosses. They were erected probably back in the 12th century. The crosses
marked out the boundary of the local church. They were also monuments
that celebrated local achievements and reinforced the strong Christian
faith. Of the remaining high crosses, the best preserved and the largest
is the West Cross. It stands nearly 5 meters in a field a short distance
from the Cathedral. On the east face is an unusual representation of the
crucified Christ and stands out against a background of geometric and
interlaced patterns. The cross is carved out of one solid slab of limestone.
We can only speculate as to the message the unknown stonemason wanted
to leave us on this cross. The most interesting and earliest of the high
crosses is the Doorty Cross. It is located in the graveyard of Kilfenora
Cathedral next to the Burren Centre, where a replica can be seen. The
cross depicts the figures of St.Peter standing over a local abbot holding
arms with the new bishop. The cross commemorates Kilfenora becoming a
diocese in 1152 AD. This was a major achievement for the local clergy
and people of Kilfenora.
·
All Bedrooms En Suite.
Ground Floor Bedrooms.
Tea/Coffee in all Bedrooms
Extensive Breakfast Menu
T.V. Lounge
Garden for Guests Use
Private Car Park
