For thousands of years, Burren farmers have marked the end of summer by herding their cattle onto ‘winterage’ pastures in the limestone uplands where they spend the winter grazing. This ancient ‘transhumance’ tradition, which is synonymous with the Burren and key to the survival of the region’s famous flora and fauna, is to be celebrated as part of a community festival the Burren Winterage Weekend.
As part of the weekend the local landscape charity, Burrenbeo Trust, are organising two unique walking celebrations across one of Ireland’s most inspiring landscapes accompanied by local farmers, poets and philosophers: The Herdsman’s Walk (approximately 10km) and the Fertile Rock, Sacred Stone Walk (approximately 5km). Each of the walks promises to be a unique and memorable immersion in Ireland’s most exceptional pastoral heritage. Both walks will culminate at the inaugural community re-enactment of a Winterage Cattle Drove, where walkers will accompany cattle from the village of Carron up to their winter pastures. The drove will be followed by a special outdoor concert by the renowned Lismorahaun Singers nestled in one of the Burren’s most spectacular natural amphitheatres.