Carron, Co. Clare
Description
I have a bag of scented paper in my hands, each stick sprayed with fragrances produced at The Burren Perfumery. I pull out the sticks, one by one, and take a long inhale, deciphering the subtle scents. Luckily, my notations on the sticks help guide my nose as to the ingredients. The Summer Harvest is light and sweet, smelling of chamomile, meadow sweet, and Lady's bedstraw. I pick up something of black currents, blackberry, and nettles, in the fruity Autumn Harvest. From The Man of Aran, it is woodsy, with a citrus top note and a lichen moss base. I smell roses and violets in The Frond.
Actually, now that I think about it, the strips all kind of smell the same. Because I've stuffed them all into one paper bag on my travels, the smells have mingled together, forming one green, flowery, fruity perfume. It is the perfect reflection of entirety of life in The Burren, one of my favorite places in Ireland.
Due to the rarity of the flower and plant species in The Burren, the perfumery imports all essential oils to make the fragrances from France, Spain, and England. The fragrances are inspired by seasonal changes in The Burren.
A family run business for three decades, this is a unique place to visit and tune into your sense. Watch an audio-visual presentation about the landscape of The Burren. Visit the steam distillation and soap making room. Browse the Shop, smelling the full line of plant-based perfumes and body care products, made using pure and organic ingredients. Sip organic tea and homemade scones, sitting outside in the peaceful yards. Pet the lazy dog. Refresh yourself in the Organic Herb Garden.
How to get there
By car:
From Ballyvaughan, take the N67 south to the R480 south. Stay on the R480 south until after the Poulnabrone Dolmen, and turn left on the road to Carron. Follow signs to The Burren Perfumery.
From Corrofin, take the R476 road west toward Kilnaboy. At Kilnaboy, take the road north to Carron, follow the signs to The Burren Perfumery.
By bus:
See www.buseireann.ie website for all current travel details and restrictions.
Opening times
Open daily from 9AM to 5PM.
May to September: open 9AM to 7PM.
Tea Rooms open Easter and May to September 10AM to 6PM.
January - please check website.
Group vacations in Ireland and bus trips to Ireland by arrangement.
Address
The Burren Perfumery, Ltd.
Carron
Co. Clare
Tel: +353 (0)65 708910
Facilities
Perfumery and Shop, Tea Rooms, Organic Herb Garden, Photographic Exhibit.
Written by Liz O'Malley - Summer of Travel 2007