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family · Saturday 11 July 2026 · 2:00pm 
Burrenbeo Annual Family Walk and Picnic
At Ballyconroy, Ballyvaughan · Ballyconroy, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
At Ballyconroy, Ballyvaughan · Ballyconroy, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
Once a year the Burrenbeo Trust throws open one of the quieter corners of the Burren and invites families to walk it together, then sit down for a picnic. This free midsummer event at Ballyconroy, a couple of kilometres west of Ballyvaughan, has been running long enough to feel like a local tradition - and it is genuinely free, genuinely guided, and genuinely suited to mixed-ability groups. If you have been meaning to get out into the limestone landscape but were not sure where to start, this is a very good place to start.
Two walks leave from Ballyconroy on the day. The longer route sets off at 2pm and climbs Cappanawalla mountain over rough limestone pavement - it needs a decent level of fitness and solid footwear, and is led by Brendan Dunford, manager of the Burren Programme, alongside local farmer Patsy Linnane. Expect scrambling, wide views across Galway Bay, and the kind of ecological commentary that makes the bare rock suddenly seem full of life.
The shorter walk starts at 4pm and is guided by Sharon Parr, a naturalist. It is gentler and pitched at walkers of all abilities, including older children who want to learn about Burren flora without the mountain ascent. Note that the track is not buggy-friendly, so slings or carriers work better for very small children.
Both walks finish back at the starting point by 5pm for a shared picnic that runs until around 6pm. Tea and scones are laid on, and you are welcome to bring your own food and a blanket. In a landscape as open as the Burren, the late-afternoon light at this time of year is worth staying for.
Ballyvaughan sits on the N67 along the south shore of Galway Bay, roughly 30 minutes from Galway city by car. The meeting point at Ballyconroy is about 2km west of the village along the same road - look for the gathering of cars and people rather than a formal car park. Bus Eireann Route 350 runs between Galway and the Burren (serving Kinvara and Ballyvaughan), though service frequency is limited, so check timetables in advance if you are relying on the bus. Most visitors arrive by car. From Ennis the drive is around 50km north on the N85 and then the N67.
Ballyvaughan village itself is small and unhurried, with a tidal harbour, a few good pubs, and direct access to some of the best Burren walking in Clare. The Aillwee Burren Experience and the Poulnabrone dolmen are both within easy reach if you want to extend the day. There is more to see in Ballyvaughan and across Co. Clare.
Heading to Ballyconroy, Ballyvaughan in Ballyvaughan? Clare has plenty more to see. Read the Ballyvaughan area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.