01 Jul 2025
Burren tour review
We had a family group of 4 at the price of $776. Our expectation was a 4 hour tour (as listed in the Travelocity description). 3 hours of hiking in the burren with “magnificent views” of the surrounding area. We walked for about an hour, primarily walking on the roadside, then drove to the perfumery.
I am not only disappointed but believe the cost was astronomical given our actual experience. I believe we were taken advantage of and ripped off. It feels like I was stolen from financially and the experience did not come close to what we paid for.
I want to compare and contrast the description with our experience to express that my expectation was based on the information provided and that is not what we received.
First, the location description was wrong. We went to the location provided by Travelocity, arrived 20 minutes early, and when I texted Marie, she provided her home address. We arrived to her place a few minutes after our 10am time.
Online Description:
“This exhilarating walk in the Burren National Park with a qualified local guide to explore nature up close, can only be reached on foot and then experience the aromatic Burren Perfumery.”
- Our experience: our guide, Marie was lovely. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the Burren and has a rich family history that was fun to learn. Her passion is palpable.
- The vast majority of our walk was roadside. We ventured into one field that curved around to a gate and we were back on the road.
Online Description:
“Climb your way up into the mountains and be rewarded with magnificent views of the surrounding area while gaining an insight into the flora and fauna and archaeological remnants of a life long-gone by.”
- our experience: we did not climb anything, did not go way up into the mountains. while the Burren is beautiful, we didn’t get any views of the surrounding area.
Online description: “Then tour a family farm, seeing a range of animals including Midge the Shetland Pony!”
- we did not tour a family farm nor see a range of animals. There were 3 miniature ponies but there was no tour of a farm nor a variety of animals.
Online description (Burren Perfumery): “Wander through the aromatic herb garden, and finally relax in the beautiful cafe with a cup of tea & some homemade delights.”
- our experience: the perfumery was lovely. Marie walked through the garden with us and joined us for lunch in the cafe.
Overall, the burren and perfumery are both beautiful. But the experience we received, we could’ve done for free on our own.