The word "Burren" comes from an Irish word "Boíreann" meaning a rocky place. This is an extremely appropriate name when you consider the lack
of soil cover and the extent of exposed Limestone Pavement. However it has been referred to in the past as "Fertile rock" due to the mixture
of nutrient rich herb and floral species. The Burren National Park is located in the south-eastern corner of the Burren in north County Clare and
is approximately 1500 hectares in size. The Park land was bought by the Government for nature conservation and public access.
It contains examples of all the major habitats within the Burren: Limestone Pavement, Calcareous grassland,
Hazel scrub, Ash/hazel woodland, Turloughs, Lakes, Petrifying springs, cliffs and Fen.