Caherconnell Stone Fort
| County: | Co. Clare |
| Tel: | 065-708 9999 |
| Fax: | 065-708 9888 |
| Email: | info@burrenforts.ie |
Built over 1,000 years ago. Caherconnell is the only fort in the Burren scientifically excavated and developed for tourism. It was occupied as late as the 17th Century. It is more than twice the size of the regular fort. Here, in this circular theatre of the imagination, you can feel the depth of history, the presence of long dead generations. Learn of the lives led and the stories told in the shadow of the great stone fort. Ongoing excavations by our field school during the months of June, July & August have yielded fascinating results placing Caherconnell on the map as a prominent archaeological site. The audiovisual presentation & graphic display areas deal with the unique history of the Burren tombs and monuments including Poulnabrone Dolmen. Ireland’s first stone fort virtual tour is an unprecedented re-creation of life, customs and design of the fort.
From May to September each year Sheep Dog Demonstrations take place. The combined skill of the Border Collie and the farmer will be displayed.
General Information
| Address: | Caherconnell, Carron, Co Clare
GPS Coordinates: 53.04019417, -9.140188056 |
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| Telephone; | 065-708 9999 |
| Fax: | 065-708 9888 |
| Email: | info@burrenforts.ie |
| Website: | http://www.burrenforts.ie |
| Location: | 28km from Ennis, 10km from Ballyvaughan on the R480 |
| Season: | Mid March-October |
| Open Times: | Mon-Sun: 10.00-17.30 Mon-Sun: 10.00-18.30 (Jul-Aug) |
| Tours: | By appointment only. 20 Mins, Max 40-50 |
| Booking Contact: | info@burrenforts.ie |
| Manager: | John Davoren |
| Average Visit Length: | 45 mins-1 hour |
| Entrance Fees: |
Adult: €6.00 Student/OAP: €5.00 Child: €4.00 Family: €16.00 |
| Audio Visual: | Illuminates the historical and archaeological secrets of the fort and famous Burren monuments |
| Exhibition: | Information on the forts, tombs, landscape and flora of the Burren |
| Restaurant: | Serving home-cooked farm fresh food, organic Salmon and freshly ground coffee. |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Shop: | Wide range of crafts and souvenirs available. Local jams, honey & cheese |
| Information Guide: | Map of the fort and Audio Guide in English |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
Schools
The O’Dabhoireann family of the Burren is steeped in educational history and we are carrying on this proud tradition in producing schools packs for both the primary and secondary levels of Irish education
Our primary schools pack has been prepared by Colm Davoren a primary teacher and is based on the 1999 curriculum. The pack includes pre visit and post visit lessons which work in tandem with a power-point presentation. Strands - strand units and objectives are provided. A visit to Caherconnell stone fort will cover a 4-week scheme of work for your class. The pack is designed for classes: 3rd to 6th
Our secondary schools pack has been prepared by Liam Ashe, a former history and geography teacher, and an author of a number of textbooks for use in both the junior and senior cycle. Using his vast experience and knowledge of both the junior and leaving certificate courses Liam has produced a excellent pack designed to enable the students to understand the unique topographical and archaeological history of the Burren
The Burren
The question of why the Burren has such a profusion of monuments has no simple answer but there are a number of pointers. Firstly, as most monuments in the area are stone-built, they tend to endure longer than monuments of earth or wood. Secondly, the Burren uplands have not been subject to the same social and economic forces as many lowlands where reclamation and improvement schemes have effaced the remains of many ancient monuments. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the winter grazing for livestock provided by the Burren´s winterages may have made the region attractive to agricultural communities since prehistoric times
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