A series of fun and educational events exploring how the history, culture, flora and fauna of the Burren have been shaped by the region’s geology will take place as part of the ‘The Burren Rocks 2014’ in County Clare from June 5th to 9th.
The annual festival is being organised by Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, Doolin Cave and the Burren Outdoor Education Centre, and forms part of European Geoparks Network Week 2014. This year's events include a Family Fun Day, Cycle 'Selfie' around the Geopark, schools art competition, school quiz, and an Antique Rockshow.
Dr. Eamon Doyle, Geologist, Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark explained that the festival explores the underlying geology of the Burren and how it holds many fascinating clues to conditions on Earth during the past 300 million years, including the end of the last Ice Age 12,000 years ago which gave the Burren its current shape.
Dr. Doyle added: "Academic research throughout the Geopark is active and scientists and students come from all over the world to see what we have here. Our activities are designed to give people a taste of the geology and how it affects the landscape and also the culture of the Burren.”
One of the highlights of this year's Programme is an 'Antique Rockshow’ at Doolin Cave from 11am on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June. Members of the public are invited to bring along their rocks and fossils for identification by a team of experts.
The festival gets underway on Thursday 5th June with a Cycle 'Selfie' event from 11am to 6pm. Participants will cycle from Doolin Cave to one of 9 designated Geosites throughout the Geopark where they will take a 'selfie' with the site before posting their photograph to the Doolin Caves Facebook page (www.facebook.com/doolincaves) to be in with a chance of winning a prize. Bike hire is available on request.
The Burren Rocks 2014 also features a schools arts competition, entries to which will be displayed in Doolin Cave during the festival. On Monday 9th, the Burren Outdoor Education Centre in Bell Harbour will host a quiz for schools throughout the Burren.
Doolin Cave will also host a Family Fun Day on Sunday from 11am to 6pm featuring Food Stalls, Archery, Rock Climbing, Family Cycle Event, Crafts, and much more, followed by Live Music at 10pm in the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna.
For further information on The Burren Rocks visit www.burrengeopark.ie or contact Dr. Eamon Doyle on edoyle@burren.ie / 087-9008031.
The annual festival is being organised by Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, Doolin Cave and the Burren Outdoor Education Centre, and forms part of European Geoparks Network Week 2014. This year's events include a Family Fun Day, Cycle 'Selfie' around the Geopark, schools art competition, school quiz, and an Antique Rockshow.
Dr. Eamon Doyle, Geologist, Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark explained that the festival explores the underlying geology of the Burren and how it holds many fascinating clues to conditions on Earth during the past 300 million years, including the end of the last Ice Age 12,000 years ago which gave the Burren its current shape.
Dr. Doyle added: "Academic research throughout the Geopark is active and scientists and students come from all over the world to see what we have here. Our activities are designed to give people a taste of the geology and how it affects the landscape and also the culture of the Burren.”
One of the highlights of this year's Programme is an 'Antique Rockshow’ at Doolin Cave from 11am on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June. Members of the public are invited to bring along their rocks and fossils for identification by a team of experts.
The festival gets underway on Thursday 5th June with a Cycle 'Selfie' event from 11am to 6pm. Participants will cycle from Doolin Cave to one of 9 designated Geosites throughout the Geopark where they will take a 'selfie' with the site before posting their photograph to the Doolin Caves Facebook page (www.facebook.com/doolincaves) to be in with a chance of winning a prize. Bike hire is available on request.
The Burren Rocks 2014 also features a schools arts competition, entries to which will be displayed in Doolin Cave during the festival. On Monday 9th, the Burren Outdoor Education Centre in Bell Harbour will host a quiz for schools throughout the Burren.
Doolin Cave will also host a Family Fun Day on Sunday from 11am to 6pm featuring Food Stalls, Archery, Rock Climbing, Family Cycle Event, Crafts, and much more, followed by Live Music at 10pm in the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna.
For further information on The Burren Rocks visit www.burrengeopark.ie or contact Dr. Eamon Doyle on edoyle@burren.ie / 087-9008031.
