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. 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 about the lives they led and the stories they told in the shadow of the great stone fort. Recent excavations 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. As you follow the stone pathways, its secrets are beautifully relayed by an audio tour or map with field notes by Paul Gosling M.I.A.I. The Mountain Haven Café provides a welcome break, where the explorer can savour delicious farm fresh food, home baking and freshly ground coffee.
General Information
| Address: | Caherconnell, Carron, Co Clare |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 065-708 9999 |
| Fax: | 065-708 9888 |
| Email: | info@burrenforts.ie |
| Website: | http://www.burrenforts.ie |
| Location: | Carron, Co. Clare 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 pax Languages: English |
| Booking Contact: | John Davoren |
| Manager: | John Davoren |
| Average Visit Length: | 45 mins-1 hour |
| Entrance Fees: |
Adult: €5.00 Student/OAP €4.00 Child €3.00 Family €14.00 |
| Audio Visual: | Film produced by Award-Winning Hawkeye Films. Reveals the historical secrets of the fort. |
| 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 |
| Other: | http://www.facebook.com/HeritageIsland?ref=ts#!/caherconnell?ref=sgm |
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
