Burrenbeo’s (www.burrenbeo.com) contribution to the Burren Connect Project, as one of a number of partners supporting the project, was the development and roll-out of a 20 week EcoBeo Education Programme to nine schools in the Burren. The primary schools that participated in the 2008 programme are Kinvara N.S., Kilnaboy N.S., New Quay N.S., Corofin N.S., Kilfenora N.S., Doorus N.S., Kilshanny N.S., Boston N.S. and Tubber N.S.
’The future of the Burren lies in capable hands following the recent graduation of 220 new Burren experts from eight Primary schools across the Burren. Aged between 8 and 13 years of age, each one of these informed and enthusiastic graduates has completed an intensive 20 week course on all things Burren, a course which gives them to knowledge and skills to look after their special home place. Following the course, each graduate received their experts cert.
Specific modules studied by the children included the flora, fauna, culture, conservation, agriculture, history, geology and prehistory of the Burren. Modules were delivered by local experts in the heritage field, utilising colourful slides and powerpoint presentations. Module work was supplemented by the delivery of fortnightly E-newsletters containing revision work and assignments. Weekly quizzes and project work were undertaken by all participants and a full-day field trip allowed the new experts to put their knowledge to the test.
The objective of the course was to instill among the children of the Burren, the future custodians of the landscape, a sense of informed pride, ownership and responsibility for their heritage, as well as producing a fresh and fascinating insight into the region. It puts the people of the Burren back in the driving seat in terms of taking ownership of their landscape and heritage, and allows them to be part of interpreting this unique and complex place and in determining its future.’ (Burrenbeo Website, Learning Section, EcoBeo)
Burren Connect provided equipment for the school tutorials and transport and a tutor for the fieldtrips. We are also seeking funding for the rollout of the EcoBeo Programme to the remaining National Schools in the Burren. Details of this very successful programme can be found on Burrenbeo’s web site http://www.burrenbeo.com
