The Burren, IRELAND

The Burren’s limestone has been dissolved and eroded in such a way that the exposed rock resembles the pieces of a puzzle. Due to its long growing season and unusual soil content, arctic, Mediterranean and alpine vegetation grow side-by-side and many rare plants thrive in the niches among the rocks.  The Burren is also rich with archaeological sites—with more than 90 megalithic tombs, portal dolmens, and a number of ring forts.

Poulnabrone dolmen is constructed of limestone slabs. The remains of nearly 30 Neolithic people, including many children and infants, were found here.  The dolmen dates between 4200 BC and 2900 BC.

Bunratty Folk Park, Bunratty IRELAND

Bunratty Folk Park.  This living museum of 19th century Ireland is set on 26 acres. More than 30 homes, shops, and other buildings are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared given their purposes and social standing—from the poorest one-room fisherman’s hut, to a gypsy caravan, to a country cottage, to the proper Georgian residence (Bunratty House).

Village Street reinvents a collection of typical 19th century Irish buildings including a school, doctor’s house, grocery, hardware shop, post office, and a working licensed pub.

The Walled Garden.

Ardcroney Church.