Burren farms adapting to virtual fences and solar-powered collars
Cow grazing in the Burren wearing the new solar-powered GPS collar.
Solar-powered, musical GPS collars now protect 108 cattle in the Burren.
Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) tours have funded the Musical GPS-Collared Initiative in the Burren, which now protects herds by ‘musical fencing’.
Thanks to the funding, ReFarm Burren has provided roughly 15 local farmers with “no-fence” GPS collars that allow them to manage grazing zones virtually through a mobile app.
A farmer can virtually set a grazing zone or field remotely. Livestock in the farmer’s herd can freely graze, and if they approach the virtual boundary, the collars emit musical tones to alert the animals, followed by a mild electrical pulse if the animal continues, deterring them from crossing the virtual fence line.
The musical fences created by the solar-powered collars worn by the cattle give the farmers certainty as to the location of their animals at any point in areas that are often remote or difficult to access.
“It’s hard not to smile when you hear about cows trained by music, but this is exactly the kind of forward-thinking, community-rooted project our Sustainability Action Fund was designed to support,” said managing director of CIE Tours Stephen Cotter.
“It’s a perfect example of how small investments in local innovation can have a big impact on preserving the places our guests love to visit.”
The Sustainable Action Fund is part of CIÉ Tours’ wider commitment to responsible tourism, supporting the communities, cultures, and natural environments that make travel meaningful for its guests.
ReFarm Burren pushes forward that mission, using smart technology to strengthen biodiversity, sustainable traditional farming, and preservation of cultural heritage in one of Ireland’s most distinctive regions.
Tim O’Connell, who coordinates ReFarm Burren, said: “It’s the grazing that makes the Burren amazing… and CIE Tours' funding has allowed local farmers to graze their winterages more efficiently and effectively, helping future-proof Burren habitats and farming systems.”
The project also addresses challenges facing the agricultural sector in rural Ireland, making farming more efficient and appealing to a younger generation through accessible, app-based tools.
Developed in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, Burrenbeo Trust, and others, ReFarm is part of a growing national effort to promote “farming for nature” practices across Ireland.
To date, more than €1.5m has been raised to support biodiversity initiatives such as wildlife ponds, hedgerows, woodlands, and research.
