Best things to do in Ballyvaughan

Burren Birds of Prey Centre provides educational flying displays of birds of prey, and the opportunity to interact with the birds first-hand. At the flying display you will see different hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls from around the world fly over your heads as the trainer describes their habits to you. Take the hawk walk to get up close and personal with the birds; you'll be given an introduction to falconry and have the chance to handle a Harris hawk for the hour. The instructor will teach you how to release and call the hawk while walking through the woods.

Witness the natural wonder of The Burren, an area that is both rocky and fertile. “Burren” comes from an Irish word meaning “a rocky place,” which fits because the area is full of exposed limestone. Take in gorgeous views of the rugged shoreline cliffs. Tour the karst hills of the region, which are rich in historic and archeological sites, including several megalithic tombs, portal dolmens, and the nearby Corcomroe Abbey. The area also features a wealth of flora, fauna, and herbs. Leave time to visit the 1,500 hectare (3,707 acre) Burren National Park, located in the southeastern corner of the region.

Navigate the prehistoric passages of Aillwee Cave, which features an underground river, waterfall, stalactites, and stalagmites. The cave was discovered in 1944 and opened to the public in 1992. Passageways stretch for more than 1 km (984 ft), with about 300 m (984 ft) available to visitors. See the remains of bears in what is considered the last bear den in Ireland. During your tour, you will pass 8,000-year-old formations. As one of the oldest caves in the country, the site even has some areas dating back more than 350,000 years.

Witness the natural wonder of Burren National Park, an area that is both rocky and fertile. "Burren" comes from an Irish word meaning "a rocky place," which fits because the area is full of exposed limestone. You can tour the karst hills of the region, which are rich in historic and archeological sites, including several megalithic tombs, portal dolmens, and the nearby Corcomroe Abbey. Leave time to visit the 1,500 hectare (3,707 acre) national park, located in the southeastern corner of the region.

An iconic archaeological site in Ireland, Poulnabrone Dolmen represents a stunning example of a Neolithic portal tomb. This stone formation features two vertical stones supporting a 3.7 m (12 ft) horizontal capstone. These most likely are burial structures that were erected between 4200 BCE and 2900 BCE. Learn about the lives and rituals of early farmers in the area through the formations that they left behind. These dolmens exist throughout Western Europe. Though it is not known for certain who put them in place or how they did it, excavations in this region show that the dead and their belongings were buried at this site up through Celtic times.

Engage your senses at Burren Perfumery, Ireland's oldest perfumery and soap-making center, set in a floral valley in Burren. This company has been family-owned and -operated since it opened in the 1970s. Since then, the staff has been making homemade perfumes, creams, balms, and soaps using organic ingredients. Visit this perfumery, view its audio-visual display, wander through the gardens, and watch the staff creating small-batch, handmade products in the workshop. The tearoom offers all-natural food and drinks.