Winterage

A unique example of reverse transhumance, farmers in the Burren, Co Clare, Ireland, mark the end of summer by herding their cattle onto ‘winterage’ pastures in the limestone uplands where they spend the winter grazing.

Listed in Ireland’s national inventory of intangible cultural heritage, the practice of Winterage is celebrated for this practice of working with livestock which has taken place for several thousand years.

One such celebration is the Winterage Festival which offers a chance to come together and celebrate the unique farming traditions of the Burren (one of the most unique and largest areas of glaciated karst in Europe).

Participants at the festival shared ideas and experiences as to how this special place has informed their own practices and offered support to the custodians of the Burren at a time of great challenge.