The Pristine West

Overview

Ireland's harsh west was shaped by the retreat of the last Ice Age glaciers. The "Burren" region was once a coral reef and is now a unique natural area. There, the natural diversity of species is preserved with sustainable animal husbandry. Likewise on water: in the Connemara region, researchers are gaining knowledge about maritime life and are looking for innovative, sustainable ways to use the sea as a source of food. Off the coast are the Aran Islands. There, too, people learn from the past and live culture. In traditional farming or in the ancient Irish language. Even though the advent of modernity has changed many things, the inhabitants of the west keep their traditions and revive old customs.