Full Day Excursion for the Connoisseur
These prehistoric excursions are intended to transport the visitor back through the many millennia, to imagine and experience what the landscape was like, both physically and politically, for our antecedents. Using nothing more than abstract conjecture to analyse and interpret the whys and wherefores of a world and civilisation now unknown to us, with that civilisation clearly having had the rationale and the skills to create and build, in some cases, incredible monolithic and megalithic architecture here in the Burren and elsewhere in Ireland.
Trying to get an insight into the minds of the men and women, our ancestors, to better understand the why of these monuments, whose construction was bereft of the benefits of our advanced sciences.
The Sites
A visit to all of the magical and enchanting structures listed below, including a short walk that is worthy of the word pilgrimage, along a farm trackway no longer in regular usage, clearly created long before the invention of the wheel. This ancient roadway, about two miles in length, connects a stone fort at one end with two portal tombs visible in the fields as we pass by.
Take a personal pilgrimage on these relatively unknown, now abandoned farm tracks, created long before the invention of the wheel. Experience the enchantment and connection of walking in the footsteps of our ancestors many, many millennia ago.
Prehistoric Highways
Ancient farm trackways created long before the invention of the wheel, connecting forts and tombs across the Burren landscape.
Cairns
Used as burial mound boundary markers.
Ring Forts (Cathairs, as Gaeilge)
Defensive circular homesteads of stone or earthen enclosure.
Cists or Graves
Intended as burial chambers, either by cremation or inhumation.
Stone Alignments
Possibly intended for astronomical or calendrical functions.
Fulachta Fiadha (Cooking Places)
Not easy to find for the untrained eye, these were communal food preparation areas.
Court Tombs
Possibly used both for burial and ritual.
Wedge Tombs
Recognised by their wedge-shaped construction. Believed to be burial chambers, despite many having no evidence of inhumation or cremation of human remains.
Portal Tombs
Distinguished by their parallel, linear construction. Again believed to be burial sites, though upon excavation some reveal confusing archaeological evidence of their original intended purpose.
Erratics
The current received wisdom, or conjecture, regarding their purpose is that no single body or authority actually knows definitively for what, or for whom, their intended function was.
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These, in many cases very large boulders, have clearly been positioned in an intentional manner by a society and civilisation of intelligence, with either considerable physical strength or a much greater knowledge of physics than we currently possess. Some historians explain, somewhat dismissively, that these random boulders became dislodged from glaciers and somehow landed, counter-intuitively, perfectly positioned, sometimes in pairs. All that we have photographed have packing stones placed underneath to maintain a specific position, held to this day. The evidence most definitely establishes otherwise.
Phoenician Symbols
Carvings venerating their gods, among the many hidden vistas the excursion visits.
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In the main, most of the excursion is taken through local roads and public farm tracks very rarely used by visitors or even local residents. Nearly all sites visited are much lesser known, due to their limited access and low public awareness, lending a genuinely magical, enchanting sense of exploration and discovery. Knowing that very few people have been here before you. It cannot be guaranteed that guests will feel quite as Howard Carter might have when he opened Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt in 1922. But these sites and landscapes in the Burren are extraordinary nonetheless, and there is no doubting that guests on these Burren guided excursions will be equally intrigued and fascinated by their experiences.
Typical example of the many hidden vistas that the tour will visit
The Day in Detail
Excursions start and finish at Cassidy's car park at 9am.
Coffee break and chat at 11 o'clock at what is arguably the most intriguingly remote location for such a venture. Located up an unsigned, mile-long farm trackway in the centre of a traditional Burren working farm, with excellent coffees and teas served in the kitchen with its traditional open-fired hearth, usually by the farmer himself.
With strict adherence to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, in that an army marches on its stomach, and with our intrepid guests expected to enjoy similar sustenance, the excursion breaks for luncheon at 1pm.
The specially chosen menu is intended as a showcase of local Burren seasonal produce, with highlights including Cassidy's organic beef and wild goat, Flaggy Shore oysters, Burren Smoke House salmon and other smoked fish, Celtic salad leaves and Linnalla Ice Cream's incredible Burren iced creams, with many other gastronomic delights included when available.
Dependent upon guest numbers and location availability, we offer several dining venues.
A deservedly renowned and highly rated Burren restaurant and traditional public house, run by the seventh generation Mr R. Cassidy Jnr, established by his antecedent Henry Cassidy in 1797. Offering from their own farms prime cuts of organic Shorthorn beef and wild goat, often accompanied by passionately performed, impromptu traditional Irish music sessions for opportune visitors.
In the family kitchen of an authentically restored farmhouse set in a magical location in the Burren, at the foothills of Cappaghkennedy Hill, with a menu created especially for our guests by the very distinguished and renowned private chef Ms Julia Hemingway.
In a hidden, remote, sheltered glen in the truly magical, world-renowned, alpine-esque landscape that is the Burren, with views and a location usually entirely to ourselves, we stop for a sumptuous picnic at 2pm. Expect local, seasonal Burren produce such as oysters, wild salmon, and many other delights, depending on the time of year. Carried on board all our cars is a complimentary selection of chilled soft drinks, snacks and the renowned Linnalla Ice Creams.
Practical Information
All guests are expected and highly recommended to wear suitable walking boots. In the event of heavy rain, courtesy rain macs and Wellington boots are provided. A reasonable level of agility and fitness is required for some elements of the excursion. For those who are less physically inclined, the excursion may be tailored to suit individual needs or fitness levels, with our well-appointed cars taking all the necessary strain. Walking poles are also provided and are necessary for a short mountain walk to one hill fort. Please note this is an adults and older teenage children only excursion.
Due to the ancient and very narrow roads, and to maintain a low environmental impact, we use only small vehicles: the well-appointed Mercedes V-Max for groups of 7 guests (with multiples for larger parties) and a classic Range Rover for parties of four or fewer guests. The excursion concludes at Cassidy's car park at 6pm in summertime. In winter, the day moves inside in the late afternoon for a video and slide presentation and interactive talk with your host. Start and finish times may be varied upon request, usually with no extra charge.
The pace of the excursion is determined entirely by you. Some guests may wish to linger in deep contemplation, sometimes walking in the rain, for the most immersive, mindful experience possible. Highly recommended and our default approach. We can also accommodate the guest who wishes to cover as many sites as possible in the time available. Not recommended, but perfectly understandable and happily accommodated.
These excursions run all year round. On short winter days, the excursion moves inside in the late afternoon to Cassidy’s Public House and Restaurant in Carran for a video and slide presentation and interactive talk with your host. Think complimentary hot Irish whiskeys, coffees and other braon, a turf-fuelled open fireplace, wind howling outside, and all delivered with our naturally genuine warm Irish hospitality. It may also be possible to persuade a genuine local seanchaí, a traditional Irish storyteller, local historian and sometimes genealogist, to call in for a fireside chat. Fingers crossed.
Pricing and Booking
The fee for a full day Burren Mytho-Archaeological Excursion is €635 per guest.
Please note there are no hidden or extra charges. Everything as described above is included in the fee or complementary.
This reflects the almost two years of research and study, and 986 videos and photographs taken for our archive during that time, as well as the utmost quality of all our offerings and complementary inclusions.
Deposit of 25% = €159 is required on booking, with the balance due in full 2 days before the tour date.
Cancellations made on or before 28 days prior to the tour date will receive a full refund, less an administration fee of €84.50. As a small, family-run business, every cancellation reflects a potential loss of income from other intending visitors for that date. Please do make your bookings with that in mind.
Burren Mytho-archeological Excursions have created a parallel Concierge Service for those guests who may wish to have a more unique personalised , private, fully bespoke experience in the Burren — and elsewhere in Ireland
Please visit our Concierge Services page for more details.
If, you can dream, we can do it.
Half Day Excursion
Offered in response to requests from our time-challenged guests.
Starting at 1.30pm and finishing at 6pm.
The itinerary is the same as the full day excursion, with adjustments made based on the preferences of the group and the limitations of the shortened time available.
Guests convene at Cassidy's car park at 1.30pm for light refreshments at the Cassidy’s Public House and Restaurant (30 minutes), boarding the vehicle at 2pm and returning at 6pm in summertime. In winter evenings, the excursion returns to the Cassidy’s Public House and Restaurant in the late afternoon for an interactive talk and video and slide presentation. Carried on board are a complementary selection of chilled soft drinks and the renowned Linnalla Ice Creams.
The fee for the half day excursion is €325 per guest. Include after price a deposit of 25% = €81.25 with balance paid in full 2 days before tour departure date. Cancellations made on/before 28 days of tour will receive a full refund, less administration fee of €45
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Ireland, with the Burren in particular, is regarded as being the first Western European country to introduce surnames, as evidenced in the Annals around 916 AD, recording the death of Tighernaeach Ua Clerigh, lord of Aidhne, in County Galway.
The famous High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, born not far from the Burren at Killaloe, is now known as the O'Brien family. Incredibly, the O'Brien family name and many others are still commonly known throughout the Burren, being mentioned in ancient Irish papers and documents. Other typical examples include O'Connor, O'Loughlin, O'Dea, Vaughan of modern day Ballyvaughan, Clooney, O'Hehir and Quin, to mention but a few of the pre-eminent family names still flourishing in the Burren today.
Where the opportunity arises, guests will be introduced to the descendants of these kings and queens, many of whom played a pivotal role in the political affairs of the Burren and the greater Irish nation, reaching many millennia back into the mists of Irish history.