Corcomroe Abbey - A New Monastery in an Old Place (Heritage Week)

What to Expect

Silvina Martin, an art historian specialised in built heritage and medieval buildings, leads this guided tour of Corcomroe Abbey during National Heritage Week 2026. The tour explores how the Cistercians arrived in North Clare at the beginning of the 13th century and founded a monastery that was revolutionary in architecture and land use. The talk examines what became of the pre-existing ancient culture in the Burren valley and how the monks reshaped the landscape, people and monastic traditions of the area. Corcomroe Abbey is one of the finest Cistercian ruins in Ireland, set in a dramatic valley in the heart of the Burren.

Good to Know

• Part of National Heritage Week 2026 (15 to 23 August). Specific date within the week to be confirmed on heritageweek.ie.
• Free event, open to all. Accessible by public transport; car parking on site.
• Contact organiser at silvina.martin@ymail.com for booking details.
• Corcomroe Abbey is an unguided Heritage Ireland site normally open free of charge year-round.
• Wear suitable footwear for uneven ground.

Getting There

Corcomroe Abbey is in the Burren, near Bellharbour on the R480, approximately 35km north-west of Ennis. Signposted from the N67 at New Quay.