The Burren Winterage Festival returns to County Clare this October, with the Burren Food Fayre taking place in Fanore on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2026.
The two-day celebration of Burren farming, food, culture and landscape will once again feature the traditional Burren Beo Winterage Cattle Walks, with a walk taking place on Saturday 24th October at 2pm and a second walk on Sunday 25th October at 12pm.
At the head of the cattle walks, the Burren Food Fayre will bring together food producers from the Burren Ecotourism Network, showcasing the exceptional produce of the region and celebrating the connection between the Burren’s unique landscape, farming traditions and local food.
The Food Fayre is supported by the Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.
“This annual event, which attracts visitors from every corner of Ireland as well as international tourists, is a wonderful opportunity for people not only to hear about the ancient farming practices of the Burren, but to experience the tradition first-hand by walking with the cattle to their winterage,” said Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO of the Burren Ecotourism Network.
“Following the walk, visitors can taste and purchase the foods of the land and sea at the Burren Food Fayre. We are delighted to collaborate with the Burren Beo team, who have delivered the Cattle Drive so successfully for several years. We are also very fortunate to have the support of the Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, who assist us with facilities and promotion of the event.”
Visitors to the Burren Food Fayre will be able to discover a wide range of locally sourced food and drink, including Burren beef, salmon, pork, oysters, cheese, breads, jams and chutneys, as well as Burren whiskey and gin. The fayre will also host cooking demonstrations and will have local arts and crafts on sale.
Many of the producers taking part are aligned with the GEOfood concept, an international UNESCO initiative that promotes sustainable agriculture, conservation and the support of farmers and local communities.
The Saturday cattle walk will take place at 2pm, while the Sunday walk will begin at 12pm. Attendees are encouraged to arrive two hours before the start of their chosen walk to allow plenty of time for parking and to enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and scones in the marquee before setting off.
“We are delighted that the Food Fayre is once again being staged on the rich agricultural lands of the Burren. There is no better way to connect people with local produce than to see where it came from,” said Carol Gleeson, Manager of the Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark.
“Amongst our GEOfood group, we have a number of farming families who have worked this land for generations. Their knowledge and connection to the landscape are an important part of what makes the Burren so special,” she added.
A Unique Winterage Tradition
The Burren’s traditional farming system is unusual by international standards. Unlike most regions where livestock are moved to upland areas during the summer months, Burren farmers traditionally move their cattle to the uplands for the winter.
This ancient practice, known as winterage, plays an important role in maintaining the Burren’s distinctive landscape and supporting its unique flora and fauna.
The Burren’s low-intensity farming system has evolved in harmony with the area’s limestone landscape. During the winter months, cattle graze the uplands, where the exposed limestone retains heat and the animals can shelter from wetter conditions while continuing to find sufficient vegetation to graze.
The annual Winterage Cattle Walk provides visitors with a rare opportunity to experience this living farming tradition and learn about the relationship between the Burren’s people, livestock, food production and remarkable natural environment.
Burren Winterage Festival 2026
The Burren Food Fayre will take place in Fanore, County Clare, on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2026, alongside the traditional Burren Beo Winterage Cattle Walks with attendees being encouraged to arrive two hours in advance of their chosen walk, and to avail of the shuttle buses which will be provided by the NPWS.
The Winterage Festival is especially honoured to have the Croatian Ambassador to Ireland and the Irish Ambassador to Croatia attend the Festival this year as part of the programme of events celebrating Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of Europe and Clare being twinned with Croatia.
The Festival programme will include a number of guests to speak about the Karst regions of Croatia. There will be speakers from the Croatian geo parks and also Croatian farmers who share similar farming practices. There will also be a Croatian flavour at the food events. The events are funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.
The events are funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026
Tickets for the Winterage Cattle Walks are available through the event section of the Burren Beo website: www.burrenwinterage.com