A personal look at the Burren

THE unique attractions of the world famous Burren are highlighted in the first personal DVD of the area, which was launched in the Burren Centre, Kilfenora last week by Killimer native, Professor Michael O’Connell of University College, Galway.

Entitled Clare’s Wonderland, The Burren the DVD is based on a book of the same name compiled by Br Sean MacNamara, Ennis. The hour-long DVD is a personal account of the Burren by Br Sean, who has been a regular visitor to the Burren for almost 50 years.

It contains pen pictures of some famous men associated with the Burren, including Brian Merriman; John Philip Holland, Liscannor; Michael Cusack of Carron; Paddy Nolan, Gleninsheen, who discovered the Gold Collar in 1932; Charles Lucas, who wrote the first account of the natural history of the Burren; Micho Russell of Doolin and Frederick J Foot, a native of Dublin, who produced a botanical map of the Burren and the first worthwhile list of plants in the area. He is credited as the first person to discover the very rare pyrmidal bugle in 1862.

Apart from photographs and drawings of the many rare plants, there are pictures and information about Corcomroe Abbey, Killfenora Cathedral, Coad Church, the old church in Kilnaboy, Carron Church and Templecronan.

The DVD also highlights Lemenagh Castle, the Tau Cross, Ballyportry Castle, the Pinnacle Well, the Gleninsheen Gorget, the Cusack Centre, Lisdoonvara Spa Wells, the Merriman Memorial in Ennistymon and Lake Inchiquin.

Also included are colourful drawings by Marianne McGeough, who produced the DVD. Most of the photographs are by John Brody and Paul Sinnott.

“By looking and listening to the DVD, they will realise that the Burren is indeed a wonderland and much more than a botanical paradise. Every school, hotel and guesthouse in Clare should have a copy of the DVD, which is available at the Burren Centre in Kilfenora,” said Br McNamara.

The DVD opens with music from the Kilfenora Céilí Band and ends with tunes from Chris Droney, Belharbour.