Geopark Academy features Burren

The geology, history, ecology and future tourism development of the Burren in County Clare are the focus of a two-day event on May 25th and 26th.

Organised by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark as part of European Geoparks Network Week, the Geopark Academy 2024 features expert talks and a field trip to some of the Burren’s best known built heritage sites. 

The Academy is being held at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan, the independent college specialising in undergraduate and graduate Fine Art education, which is this year marking the 30th anniversary of its foundation.

Topics being covered include how the Burren has changed over 330 million years, the impact of the last Ice Age on the landscape, the history of human settlement in the region, and how visitor studies are guiding efforts to establish Clare as the first county-wide certified sustainable tourism destination in Ireland.

Speakers include representatives from University of Galway, ATU Sligo, Trinty College Dublin, Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) and Mary Immaculate College / University of Limerick.