The Best of the Burren MAKE TRAVEL MATTER

My main entice to explore southwestern Ireland with Brendan Vacations is not just for a private, personalized experience, but also for its MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences program. As part of Brendan Vacations and The Travel Corporation’s non-profit The Treadright Foundation, MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences focus on benefiting planet, people, and wildlife. As such, my private introduction to the Burren Farm Experience focuses on all three. A fifth-generation operation by husbandand-wife team Cathal and Bronagh O’Rourke and located in the heart of the Burren in County Clare, the working farm embraces a growing sustainable movement in southwestern Ireland. Gracing 500 acres, the land feels like a step back in time, framing the Burren’s landscape of bedrock — a stark yet beautiful UNESCO Heritage Site of glacial-era limestone sprinkled with cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations, and archaeological gems. As we bump along the farm in a rustic jeep, the O’Rourkes relay their mission: to preserve the rich heritage of the land. Guests here can forest bathe in ancient woodlands, savor picnics of 28day aged organic beef accompanied by local market produce and famous Irish cheese, and learn about Ireland’s fairy trees and mystical folklore while walking their ethereal grounds. Yet similar to my experience with Ollie, what makes this day most memorable is the human connection: The O’Rourke's Irish pride is undeniable, and I’ll forever remember their dedication to preserving nature and a family legacy.

Next up, a private tour of the Burren Smokehouse with Swedish owner Birgitta Hedin-Curtin. Located in Lisdoonvarna along Ireland’s famed Wild Atlantic Way — a 2,500 km coastal driving route navigating nine counties and three provinces — the smokehouse is world-renowned for smoked Irish organic salmon (recently awarded what’s considered the Oscars of the food industry). A non-discreet entrance leads to an impressive visitor’s center, where guests can sample Clare Islands fish while learning about how the salmon is salted and smoked. After an interactive showcase explaining the company history, Birgitta takes me to the smokehouse, detailing the source of each ingredient. Afterward, I meet her husband and local raconteur Peter Curtin, owner and brew master of the famous Roadside Tavern. Over samples of his impressive beers, our conversation covers everything from the Irish War of Independence to hops and Limerick musician Mick Hanley.

My evening is capped with a decadent wine-paired dinner at Gregans Castle Hotel. A charming 18th-century manor house and gourmet retreat in Ballyvaughan tucked among lush gardens, the property has enticed the likes of artists Seamus Heaney, Sean Scully, and J.R.R. Tolkien, who was famously influenced by the Burren when penning The Lord of the Rings. The restaurant is reason enough to visit, as Chef Robbie McCauley meticulously curates the region’s local and artisan food. An unforgettable tasting menu features organic Burren lamb and fresh Atlantic seafood, all served in a cozy fine dining room overlooking the estate's gardens.