It was still just early spring when we stopped over at The Burren Perfumery, so my photos of the garden don’t quite do it justice. You can still get an idea of the place though and it is lovely, even before the season is in full swing.
The perfumery was founded in the karst landscape of the Burren around forty years ago. What’s unique about this part of Ireland is that about 70% of the island’s wild-flower species grow together in this region (this is probably partly due to the fact that the area has it’s own temperate climate). The perfumes and cosmetics are made in small batches as needed on site. You’ll be able to purchase the creams, perfumes, soaps and balms (created by hand with organic ingredients) in the little shop opposite the Tearoom. There’s also an informative video screening in a room just inside the shop.
The grounds also offer a beautiful Tearoom that’s open from April to September (11:00 -17:00) and serves a variety of meals and vegetarian soups and salads. To go with a lovely cup of herbal tea or origin coffee, fresh cakes and scones are baked daily (try the fruity apple pie, carrot cake or chocolate brownies). All meals cost about € 6.50 – € 14.00.
An organic herb garden was planted there in 1999 that is filled with all sorts of traditional herbs (and educational notes about them written on slate). The garden is open for all to visit and looks it’s best between late May and September. Many of the plants there have medicinal uses (like echinacea, eyebright and valerian), many are edible (look out for lemon balm, artichoke and sage) and of course there are many that are used for cosmetics too (think of bergamot, burdock and wild marjoram). Additionally a space was created for wild meadow herbs like meadowsweet and lady’s bedstraw.
Speaking of sage, did you know that there are more than 20 varieties? Isn’t that mind-blowing?
