The village is approximately 48km from Galway City and is in the centre of the world-renowned Burren area.
The village of Ballyvaughan sports numerous bars and the village restaurants are justifiably famous for Galway Bay seafood.
World class golf is readily available in the village of Lahinch just a few miles south.
For more information about Ballyvaughan village, check the Ballyvaughan website.
The word "Burren" comes from an Irish word "Boíreann" meaning a rocky place. This is an extremely appropriate name when you consider the lack of soil cover and the extent of exposed Limestone Pavement. However it has been referred to in the past as "Fertile rock" due to the mixture of nutrient rich herb and floral species.
In 1651 a Cromwellian Army Officer named Ludlow remarked, "of this barony it is said that it is a country where there is not water enough to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, nor earth enough to bury them. This last is so scarce that the inhabitants steal it from one another and yet their cattle are very fat. The grass grows in tufts of earth of two or three foot square which lies between the limestone rocks and is very sweet and nourishing."
For those not familiar, the Burren in unique in Europe for it's natural flora and fauna more typical of both Tropical and Alpine landscapes than western Ireland.
Aside for the regions botanical diversiy, the entire area is a "European Special Designated Area" (SDA) and is a dream for those who wish to get out and about by either walking, cycling or indeed
motoring.
For more information on the Burren, check the Burren Centre website, or the Burren National Park website.