The Burren Visitor Centre in Kilfenora, County Clare, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday September 14 2025.
For five decades, it has been a vital destination for visitors from around the world, offering a unique window into the geology, ecology, and history of the stunning Burren region. Famed for its breath-taking limestone pavements, rich archaeological sites, and vibrant biodiversity, the Burren is one of Ireland’s most treasured landscapes.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 50 years as Ireland’s first interpretative centre, dedicated to sharing the story of the Burren with the world,” said Georgia Barnes, Business Manager of The Burren Visitor Centre. “Our mission remains as vital today as it was in 1975: to inspire a love for this extraordinary landscape and a commitment to its preservation.”
Throughout 2025, The Burren Visitor Centre has collaborated with local businesses, artists, historians, and environmentalists in a program of year-long celebrations. Highlights included a retrospective exhibition tracing the Centre’s pioneering journey, guided heritage walks through Kilfenora and the Burren landscape, and talks and workshops focused on community, history and environmental stewardship. The talks included topics such as the flowers of the Burren, The Geology and Rock formations in the area and The Mammals of the Burren.
The celebrations will culminate with a ‘Village Fair’, harking back to Kilfenora’s own history as a thriving Market Town. The centre will host this commemorative gathering to honour the visionaries who launched Ireland’s first interpretative centre half a century ago.
The ‘Village Fair’ event which will take place on Sunday September 14 2025 at the Kilfenora Village Square will feature live traditional music, stalls, games, activities, competitions and entertainment for all.
Activities will kick off at 1pm with music from the Kilfenora Roadshow. This will be followed by a full programme of music including; Colm Nestor & The Ennistymon CCE Group, Christy Barry & The Roadside Ramblers, Aoife Kelly & Charlie De Brun, Club Ceoil & Carran National School and The Drone Family & The Donoghue Family. The music will finish with an open session at 4:30pm which will be led by the Kilfenora Corner Project.
Throughout the day there will also be performances by the Eugene Donnellan Dancers and the Céim ar Chéim Dancers.
There will also be a series of competitions taking place on the day for both adults and children, showcasing the entrants craft and cookery skills, with a nod to some traditional Irish flavours.
The categories for the adult competition include; Best Brown Soda Bread, Best Jar of Jam, Best Fruit Cake, Best 3 Scones and Best Apple Tart. While in the children’s competition the entrants have the chance to enter the following categories; Best 3 Cup Cakes, Best Fairy Garden, Best T-Shirt Design, Best Jam Jar of Flowers and Best Painted Stone.
These competitions will be judged by the first group of women to work in the Centre when it opened in 1975. These women worked in the cafe making fresh scones, jam and soup for customers. They also made handmade crafts which were sold and showcased in the centre.
One member of the original group, Noirin Mooney will not be present on the day. There will be a special award in her honour to celebrate the overall winner of the Adult Craft competition which will include categories such as: Best Handicraft, Best Amateur Photograph, Best Knitted/ Crocheted Item, Best Artwork (any medium) and Best Greeting Card categories.
At 2:30 pm there will be a tribute to Brian Mooney, one of the founders of the Burren Visitor Centre. Brian and his wife were instrumental in establishing the Burren Visitor Centre and the Burren Perfumery. Brian’s daughters will be involved in the tribute reading out some of Brian’s poetry. Ollie O’Connell, a poet, music maker and story-teller living in the heart of the Burren, has just finished writing a biography entailing Brian’s contributions to the Burren, Kilfenora and the larger community. Ollie will also be involved in the tribute to Brian on the day.
Claire Collins, the former manager of the Burren Visitor Centre who passed away 3 years ago will also be remembered. A memorial bench in honour of Claire will be unveiled as part of the day’s events.
For more information on the 50th-anniversary events and to explore the Centre’s legacy, please visit www.theburrencentre.ie or contact info@theburrencentre.ie.
