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The landscape is created by rows of rocky cliffs, terraces and limestone pavements. The moonlike area, characterized by cracked limestone surface, seems barren and hostile at first sight. Due to its bleakness and grayness, the northern Burren region means an "ice shower" for everyone who has yet discovered Ireland only as a green and fertile land. The Burren, a large part of land covered by bare rocks, is something completely unforeseen. Cromwell's observer Ludlow once said about the place: "It is a country where there is not enough water to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, nor earth enough to bury him." The Burren covers the area of 250 km2. Steep cliffs and rocky terraces fall into the sea in the form of wind-shaped pumice. The rocks whitened by the sun gradually darken to metal-like shades. One part of the region, about 15 km2, has the status of a national park. Despite the overall barren panorama of the region, there is a surprisingly varied flora in the locality in spring. On a single site, you can find arctic, Alpine and even Mediterranean plant species, including the blue gentians. In late summer, you can also spot the rare orchids in the area. No-one really knows how these plants got there.
The characteristic shape of the landscape is caused by movement of glaciers. The area was last glaciated 10 to 15 thousand years ago. When the glacier was moving, it took along most of the soil. The uncovered limestone was exposed to weather influence and thus began to be eroded and the typical stone pavements as we know them today, began to be created.
The greatest attraction in the region is the well-preserved Poulnabrone Dolmen, dating back to the Bronze Age. The visitors also should not miss the Cliffs of Moher and the Aillwee Cave, where bones of an extinct bear species were found.
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