🚌 Explore Clare Stress-Free! The Burren & Cliffs Explorer is BACK for 2026! 🌍✨💛💙
Ready to discover the magic of North and West Clare without the hassle of driving? The ultimate sustainable summer shuttle service officially returns on Thursday, May 21, 2026! 🥳
Whether you are a local heading to the beach or a visitor ticking off bucket-list sights, this bus connects you directly to our most iconic landscapes and vibrant villages until September 20, 2026.
📍 Where Can You Go?
The 2026 route has expanded to include even more brilliant stops:
🥾 Top Attractions: Discover world-class sights on VisitClare.ie, including the Burren National Park & Cliffs of Moher Experience.
🌊 New for 2026: Ennistymon & Spanish Point.
🏡 Beloved Towns & Villages: Ballyvaughan, Corofin, Carran, Kilfenora, Doolin, Liscannor, Lahinch, Lisdoonvarna, and Miltown Malbay.
🌱 Why Hop Onboard?
Eco-Friendly: Protect our region with eco-friendly travel options.
Stress-Free: Forget about parking hassles at busy tourist hot spots.
Flexible: Explore spectacular coastal walks, traditional music pubs, and artisan shops at your own pace.
Brought to you by Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), with the support of Fáilte Ireland.
Tag your travel buddy in the comments below! 👇
Full details on routes, timetables, and itineraries are available at: www.cliffsofmoher.ie/burren-and-cliffs-of-moher-explorer
🚌🌀 The Burren & Cliffs Explorer shuttle bus service is returning for the 2026 season with an expanded offering, connecting towns, villages and key visitor attractions across North and West Clare.
Relaunching on Thursday, May 21, 2026, this season marks the second year of the pilot scheme.
A joint initiative of @clarecountycouncil and @npwsireland (National Parks and Wildlife Service), supported by @failte_ireland , the service will run until Sunday, September 20, 2026, providing locals and visitors with a sustainable and convenient transport option throughout the region.
🔗 Read more via News link in bio @clarecountycouncil
#Clare #ClareCoCo
Bealtaine Voices Reach New Heights 💛💙
Clare Arts Office will once again host Bealtaine Voices, a community choir event, at 2pm on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Taking place at The Height in Ennis, this event will showcase the space as a wonderful civic venue for open air activities.
Clare County Council invites everyone to this family-friendly event with singer, musician, producer, and proud Ennis man Mike Hanrahan of Stockton’s Wing leading the way. Mike will be joined by the St Michael’s Villas Choir, The Really Truly Joyful Ennis Gospel Choir, Loinnir Youth Choir, Suara Women’s Community Choir, Harmony Bro and the Clare Community Choir.
Bealtaine is a national festival celebrating Creativity in Older Age and Mike Hanrahan has been a Bealtaine Festival Ambassador since 2024. He is also the Clare Age Friendly Ambassador working with Age Friendly Ireland in ensuring that Ireland is a place where people can be proud to age in.
Well-known as the Stockton’s Wing frontman, Ballymaloe-trained chef and songwriter, Mike Hanrahan has worked with the Irish music scene since the 1970s.
His memoir ‘Beautiful Affair: A Journey with Music, Food and Friendship’ was published in 2019 and was shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards. He is well-known for presenting music shows on RTÉ. Currently, he is exploring links between creativity, music and dementia as part of his role as Senior Fellow at The Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College.
Bealtaine Voices is a walk-up, open air event. No seating is provided but audience members are welcome to bring folding chairs, cushions, or blankets to sit on.
@clarecountycouncil@clarearts
Fanore's journey to Dune Recovery 🌊🌿💛 💙
Clare is home to some of the world’s most stunning coastlines, and Fanore Beach is a shining example of where beauty meets biodiversity. Not only a playground for surfers and swimmers, Fanore is a Special Area of Conservation with a journey of recovery and resilience.
We are delighted to see the vibrant Spring Gentians blooming in the dunes once again! 🌸 This is a wonderful milestone made possible by years of conservation; protective fencing and the help of our visitors who stay off the dunes to let the natural vegetation recover. Protecting the Future of the Dunes
To ensure Fanore’s unique environment stays protected for generations, the Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, Clare’s Biodiversity Office, NPWS, and UCC are currently collaborating on exciting research:
Mapping the Sands: Fanore native Kevin Walsh (UCC) is conducting drone surveys to monitor sand movement and the potential impacts of climate change on our Clare beaches.
The Rabbit Study: Ecologist Dr. Amanda Browne has installed specialized cages to see how the local rabbit populations affect the growth of delicate dune plants. 🐇
By understanding how these shifting sands and habitats respond to change, we can better safeguard the dunes, beach and biodiversity of Fanore and the great amenity this place offers locals and visitors. 🌍✨
👉 Learn more about our sustainable tourism journey at www.VisitClare.ie/sustainable
#SustainableTuesday #BurrenGeopark #ClareBiodiversity #GreenerClare #Fanore #NPWS #UCC #VisitClare
#LeaveNoTrace #Geopark #SustainableDestination #EarthCheck #BEN #SustainableTourism #WildAtlanticWay
New Fossil Sharks Discovered in the Burren 💛💙
Three-hundred-and-thirty-million-year-old teeth and a fin spine from fossil sharks have been found in the Burren, County Clare, and in Donegal.
The fossils were identified by Clare County Council and The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark Geologist Dr Eamon Doyle, and his colleagues Dr Wayne Itano of University of Boulder, Colorado, and Dr Aodhán Ó Gogáin of National Museum of Ireland.
Discovered in the Burren and in Donegal by Phoebe Larkin and Emma Glanville of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and local guide Cormac McGinley respectively, this is the first record of these unusual fossil shark teeth in the Burren.
The Burren teeth have been identified as Psephodus magnus, a type of shark that had flat, robust dental plates for crushing prey such as shellfish. There are few modern relatives of these fish, but they are distantly related to the modern deep-sea ratfish. The fin spine from Donegal belonged to Oracanthus milleri, an example of an extinct lineage of shark-like fossils known as acanthodians or spiny sharks from which all sharks evolved over 400 million years ago.
Sustainability in Action – Celebrating 21 Years of Local Flavour & Heritage 🌿💛 💙
Mark your calendars! Next Sunday, May 10th, we are headed to Lisdoonvarna for the 21st anniversary of the Burren Slow Food Festival.
This isn’t just a festival- it’s Sustainability in Action. We are proud to announce that the festival will deliver the ‘Circular Cups for Community Events’ initiative as part of @Greener Clare’s Circular Community Grant Scheme.
Supporting sustainable festivals within Ireland’s only certified sustainable destination plays a critical role in shaping a more sustainable future for Clare and Ireland’s tourism sector.
What’s happening on the day:
A Grand Opening: We are thrilled to welcome back the legendary Darina Allen, who launched the very first festival 21 years ago, to officially open this year’s celebrations! 🎤
The ‘Yoga Bit’: Ground yourself with increasingly popular wellness sessions and the mindful 'Yoga Bit'. 🧘✨
Nature & Heritage: Join the Lisdoonvarna Fáilte guided walk through fascinating and impressive heritage and biodiversity. 👣🌼
Learn & Play: Enjoy fun learning experiences hosted by the NPWS, Burrenbeo, and Leave No Trace.
There is truly something for all ages and interests!
📍 Where: The Pavilion, Lisdoonvarna
⏰ When: Sunday, May 10th (10.30am - 4pm | The Pavilion Community Hall, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare | Free Admission)
🔗 Full Schedule: slowfoodclare.com
👉 Learn more about our journey at www.VisitClare.ie/sustainable
#VisitClare #GreenerClare #SlowFoodClare #BurrenSlowFoodFestival #LeaveNoTrace #Geopark #SustainableDestination #Greenerfestivals #EarthCheck #BEN #SustainableTourism #WildAtlanticWay #Lisdoonvarna
As of today, the Óir House will be open Monday - Sunday, 9am-5pm 🌿🤍
It’s been fantastic since having our doors back open the past few weeks — we’re so grateful for all the the amazing support we’ve gotten for our new space.
We’re thrilled to be open 7 days, to welcome you to seasonal local food, Irish roasted coffee, Irish produce and pantry essentials, of course to experience the benefits of Irish sea moss and Moss Boss Tonic.
Come join us at the home of Moss Boss Tonic, where seaweed meets wholefood living
Open 9am -5pm
Lunch 12pm - 3.30pm
Coffee 9am - 4.30pm
📸🎥 : @vy.studio_
#mossbosstonic #theoirhouse #visitclare #theburren
💛💙Join in and Celebrate the Ennistymon Rivers Festival 2026, running on the May Bank Holiday Weekend (1st - 3rd May)! 🛶🦇
The 2026 programme will showcase the positive impact of river restoration in the community through a mix of ecological activities, arts events and music. Join the RBRA in celebrating what makes the rivers of North Clare so special.
Due to limited capacity and the popularity of events, booking is essential via Eventbrite, with some events filling up fast!
Stay up-to-date with information and news on the Restore Ballymacraven River Facebook and Instagram, and on
#VisitClare #Ennistymon #LoveClare #ClareEvents
https://visitclare.ie/places/ennistymon/
@restore_ballymacraven_river
🌿 Sustainable Tuesday | Celebrating Our Sustainable Tourism Partners! 🌿💛💙
We are incredibly proud to announce that 69 Burren tourism businesses have officially achieved the Code of Practice in Sustainable Tourism for 2026! 🏆✨
This prestigious achievement was celebrated on Thursday, 16th April at the Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon. This movement is a vital part of why County Clare is an EarthCheck Certified Sustainable Destination.
What is the Code of Practice?
Managed by the Burren Ecotourism Network and fully funded by Clare County Council through the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, the Code requires members to submit their credentials every two years to prove they meet high environmental and community standards.
Why it Matters:
Independently Verified: Every submission is evaluated to ensure real, measurable impact.
Global Recognition: Independent auditor Daniel Frey of EarthCheck highlighted that these businesses are part of a "genuinely unique sustainable movement".
County-Wide Future: This successful framework will soon be rolled out to other tourism networks across the county!
Congratulations to all 69 businesses for their dedication to protecting Clare’s unique landscape and heritage.
👉 Learn more about our journey at www.VisitClare.ie/sustainable
#Burrenecotourismnetwork #unescoglobalgeopark #Codeofpractice
🏺 Step Back in Time at Craggaunowen Castle & Crannóg
Hidden away in a peaceful corner of South Clare, Craggaunowen brings Ireland’s Celtic ancestors vividly to life 💚
Wander through ancient landscapes and discover a fascinating Crannog, a perfectly recreated Iron Age lake dwelling, a 4th–5th century ringfort with its underground souterrain, and a 15th-century Craggaunowen Castle overlooking the site.
Meet costumed animators who share stories, crafts, and traditions of early Irish life, making history come alive before your eyes 🎭
Don’t miss the legendary Brendan Boat – the hide vessel used in Tim Severin’s epic Atlantic voyage, proving St Brendan’s legendary journey may have been possible ⛵
With rare Irish animals like wild boar and soay sheep, plus winding discovery trails, it’s a true adventure for all ages 🌿
Discover the best of county Clare: https://visitclare.ie/attractions/
#VisitClare #Craggaunowen #LivingHistory #FamilyDaysOut #WildAtlanticWay
🚌 Big News for North & West Clare! 💛💙
Public Input Sought on Burren & Cliffs Explorer Shuttle Bus Service.
Have YOUR input to help shape its future! 🗺️✨
Linking our towns, villages, and world-class attractions, this service is designed to make exploring our stunning landscape easier and more sustainable for everyone.
📍 Have Your Say – Public Consultation Sessions:
Come meet representatives from Clare County Council, the Cliffs of Moher Experience, NPWS, and Fáilte Ireland to ask questions and share your feedback.
🗓️ Wednesday, April 22nd
🕠 5:30pm – 6:30pm
📍 Miltown Malbay Community Centre
🗓️ Thursday, April 23rd
🕠 5:30pm – 6:30pm
📍 The Burren Visitor Centre, Kilfenora
2026 Service Details:
🗓️ Running: May 21st – September 20th
📍 Route Includes: Ballyvaughan, Corofin, Carran, Kilfenora, Doolin, Liscannor, Lahinch, Lisdoonvarna, and Miltown Malbay.
⭐ NEW for 2026: Ennistymon and Spanish Point!
⛰️ Key Stops: Burren National Park & Cliffs of Moher Experience.
Whether you're a local resident, a business owner, or a frequent visitor, your voice matters.
Let’s work together to make this pilot project a success!
#BurrenCliffsExplorer #ClareTourism #SustainableTravel #LoveClare #BurrenNationalPark #CliffsOfMoher #CommunityConsultation
