The rolling karst landscape of the Burren provides the backdrop for the picturesque North Clare village of Boston.
Located on the eastern flank of the Burren National Park and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, the tiny village lies close to the northern shore of Lough Bunny which is one of the deepest lakes in the Burren and is known for its abundant plant life and variety of wildfowl. It also is a popular coarse fishing lake.
Boston is a village steeped in history. A short distance from Boston Church is Turloughmore, which was famous for its racecourse and regular fair days in the 18th century.
You can also check out the nearby 16th century castles of Skaghard and Cluain Dubháin about which the Annals of the Four Masters for 1586 stated there, ‘was not an inland castle in Ireland better fortified’. Known locally as Boston Castle, its ruins are a reminder of the past sieges endured by their previous occupants. Mahon O’Brien defended the castle for three months, before being killed by a musket ball during a siege laid by Sir Richard Bingham in 1586.
Boston is situated on the iconic 123km Burren Way linking the village with Tubber, Corofin, Carron, Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin and Lahinch. The popular walking route takes in the best of what the Burren area has to offer, from the coast at Fanore to majestic wild-flower-decorated limestone terraces and from the remains left by the Neolithic inhabitants of the Burren to the rich heritage of early Christian churches and sites.
