Outlandish, lunar, surreal, sacred. These are some of the adjectives used by the late Cyril O Ceirin in his illustrated book on the Burren published by his company, Rathbane Publishing. "It was always a wilderness, a refuge for outlaws and outcasts and a fitting desertus for Christian hermits," he wrote.
Though it looks as it were "the first land God made", it is probably the youngest landscape in Europe. "Named from the ancient Gaelic appellation Boireann, which conveys the idea of a barren place of stone, it covers probably no more than 270 square kilometres and is not a clearly defined geographical area," he noted.
Though you may think you know it, there are several overlapping Burrens - that of "the geologist, the botanist, the geomorphologist and the archaeologist, not to mention the Burrens of history". These include Boireann Connacht, the Barony of Burren and An Da Bhoireann..
Potholers and speleologists know an underground wonderland of limestone karst, with Poll an Ionain, the "ivy hole", containing the largest stalactite yet seen by human eyes.
Mr O Ceirin, an active member of the Burren Action Group, passed away several months ago after a short illness. The much-loved artist, author, publisher and environmentalist was not destined to see a resolution of the dispute over the Mullaghmore interpretative centre.
His text - produced with stunning photographs by the publishing company still run by his wife, Kit, and friend and poet, John Doorty - is fitting testament to the passion which drove him to play such a part in the campaign.
The Outlandish World of the Burren: In pictures and words is available at £3.95 in bookshops, souvenir shops or directly from Rathbane Publishing at Atlantic View House, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare (065.74486).