Providing time, space and inspiration is the founding principle of Burren College of Art. Their residencies provide a place to retreat, reflect, and renew outside of the demands and rigors of daily routine. The Burren is a place where the power and beauty of nature envelop you and invite you to connect with your creative capacity and develop your potential as an artist. Set in the centre of one of Europe's most dramatic landscapes, the Burren provides the context for clear focus and inspiration.

Their approach to art is ideas-led and this is demonstrated in the life of the college community through special events such as conferences and exhibition openings, as well as through late-night conversations in the local pubs. More especially, residents at the Burren College of Art benefit from the strong sense of connection to land and nature which underpins the unique location of the Burren.

Beginning in 2017, in addition to the year-round BCA Residency, they are now able to offer the Residency + Burren Immersion 12-week Residency programmes between September to April. The Residency + offers studio time combined with weekly tutorials with the faculty, while the Burren Immersion:12-week Residency combines independent studio time with tutorials and the ability to take one or more of the undergraduate courses (without academic credit) during the semester. All of the residents are welcome to attend public discussions, visiting artist lectures, seminars and events throughout the year. In addition to museums and galleries in Galway, Dublin and Belfast, Ireland's location at the gateway to Europe permits easy access to other art centres.