Outdoor Escapes: National Parks in Ireland You Must See

Ireland’s national parks act as guardians of the country’s natural beauty and wildlife. When you visit these parks, you’re in for a real treat – incredible landscapes, stunning views, and diverse atmospheres.

But that’s not all – they’re also the keepers of Ireland’s history and culture, from way back when people wore loincloths to the present day!

Curious to learn more about these extraordinary places? If so, let’s go ahead and discover Ireland’s favourite parks!

What are the national parks in Ireland?

The national parks in Ireland include Burren National Park, Connemara National Park, Glenveagh National Park, Killarney National Park, Wicklow Mountains National Park, and the Wild Nephin National Park.

Burren National Park

Location: Co. Clare
Area: 1,500 ha.
Phone: 065 682 7693
Email: [email protected] 
Opening Hours (National Park): Open Daily
Opening Hours (Corofin Information Point):

• October to April: Open Daily – 10 AM to 5 PM, closed for lunch 1 PM to 2 PM
• May to September: Open Daily – 9:30 AM to 5 PM

Camping: Camping is not permitted in the park.

Burren National Park, opened in 1991, is a hidden gem in West Ireland. Despite being the smallest of Ireland’s national parks, it boasts diverse habitats across its 3,700 acres, from grasslands, woodlands, and lakes to bogs and caves. 

The exposed limestone, earning it the name “Burren” from the Irish word Boireann, meaning “a rocky place,” adds to its unique charm.

Mullaghmore, a barren hill, is a key attraction for hikers, and the park is part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. The landscape supports various plant life due to the mild climate.

Entry to the park is at the 16th-century Kilnaboy church, featuring a rare Sheela-na-Gig lewd stone figure. The geopark boasts historic landmarks like the Poulnabrone dolmen portal tomb and Corcomroe Abbey ruin.

Connemara National Park

Location: Co. Galway
Area: 2,000 ha.
Phone: +353 (0) 95 41054
Email: [email protected] 
Opening Hours (National Park): Open Daily
Opening Hours (National Park Visitor Centre): Open Daily – 9 AM to 5:30 PM
Camping: You can only camp in the remote areas of Connemara National Park.

Connemara National Park encompasses a variety of landscapes, from mountainous terrain to bogs and lush valleys. You can choose from easy flat trails or challenging climbs in the Twelve Bens mountain range, all while enjoying breathtaking scenery.

One of the park’s highlights is Diamond Hill, a cone-shaped peak with commanding views of the surrounding area. It offers two well-maintained trails, with the upper one providing a 360-degree view of the Galway skyline from its 445-meter summit.

Nearby, you can explore the historical Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens. Letterfrack Village, with its visitor center, is located on the park’s west side, and the lakeside Kylemore Abbey adds a touch of gothic romance.

As you head south through Connemara’s stunning landscapes, you’ll reach Clifden, the unofficial capital where you can enjoy the Sky Road drive and visit the picturesque Roundstone village. 

Glenveagh National Park

Location: Co. Donegal
Area: 16,000 ha.
Phone: +353 87 680 5173
Email: [email protected] 
Opening Hours (National Park): Open Daily
Opening Hours (Visitor Centre): Open Daily – 9:15 AM to 5:30 PM
Camping: Only Wilderness Camping is permitted.

Glenveagh National Park in West Ireland is a captivating nature haven with a rich history. It boasts Ireland’s largest red deer population and magnificent golden eagles soaring overhead.

The park’s centerpiece is the enchanting Glenveagh Castle, surrounded by vibrant gardens featuring Japanese wheel trees, rose gardens, and a Himalayan garden.

The castle’s history is colorful, from John Adair’s eviction of tenants to Harvard professor Arthur Kingsley Porter’s mysterious disappearance. The castle later hosted glamorous parties with Hollywood legends.

The park safeguards pristine habitats and unique wildlife, offering ample hill walking opportunities in the Derryveagh Mountains and the Poisoned Glen. The Glenveagh Visitor Centre also offers insights into the park’s history and conservation efforts.

Pro Tip:

Stay at Arnold’s Hotel in Dunfanaghy, a coastal property with access to various outdoor activity providers in northern Ireland!

Killarney National Park

Location: Co. Kerry
Area: 10,236 ha.
Phone: +353 1 539 3620
Email: [email protected] 
Opening Hours (National Park): Open 24 hours daily
Opening Hours (Killarney House & Gardens): Open Daily – 9:15 AM to 5:15 PM
Camping: Camping is not permitted in the park.

Killarney National Park, Ireland’s first national park established in 1932, is a natural wonder in County Kerry, West Ireland. It encompasses McGillycuddy’s Reeks Mountain Range, featuring Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak.

The park is teeming with diverse wildlife, including otters, red deer, bats, badgers, foxes, and red squirrels. Its picturesque landscapes boast lakes, mountains, and waterfalls, with historic buildings available for exploration and guided tours.

The park’s lakes, including Leane, Muckross, and the Upper Lake, merge at the Meeting of the Waters, providing a stunning view, as well as Ladies View, a favorite of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting.

Killarney National Park, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, spans 10,000 hectares and offers an array of outdoor activities for enthusiasts, from walking and cycling to boating and more. It’s a nature lover’s dream come true.

Wicklow Mountains National Park

Location: Co. Wicklow
Area: 23,000 ha.
Phone: +353 404 45425
Opening Hours (National Park): Open 24 hours daily
Opening Hours (National Park Information Office):

• March to October – 10 AM to 5:30 PM
• November to February – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Camping: Only Wilderness Camping is permitted.

Wicklow Mountains National Park, Ireland’s largest national park at 20,000 hectares, offers a diverse range of outdoor activities. Located just south of Dublin in the “Garden of Ireland,” it’s the only national park not on the west coast.

Adventurers can enjoy walking, hiking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, rock climbing, scuba diving, cycling, off-road motoring, hang gliding, and paragliding.

The park is known for its stunning natural beauty and biodiversity. In the southern part of the park, you’ll find Glendalough and Saint Kevin’s monastery, nestled in a glacially formed valley surrounded by thickly forested mountains.

The monastery features ancient churches, a remarkable round tower, and an enchanting forest with bluebells in spring. The Military Road, originally built for strategic purposes, now offers breathtaking views of glens, lakes, and mountains.

Pro Tip:

Visit the wildlife and sensory garden behind the Information Office. Engage your senses by smelling and touching the plants, listening to nature’s sounds, and admiring the beautiful planting.

Wild Nephin National Park

Location: Co. Mayo
Area: 15,000 ha.
Phone: 098 49888
Email: [email protected] 
Opening Hours (Ballycroy Visitor Centre): Mid-March to Early November – 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Camping: Only Wilderness Camping is permitted.

Wild Nephin Ballycroy is an International Dark Sky place, offering ideal conditions for stargazing. Stay in the park’s bothy and enjoy three looped walks in Letterkeen Woods, suitable for different hiking abilities.

The coastal stroll south of the visitor center or the challenging 24-mile Bangor Trail offer scenic options in Ballycroy park, featuring Europe’s finest blanket bog between the Atlantic coast and Nephin Beg mountain range.

Camping is allowed for those who want to stargaze beneath the dark, starry skies. The Mullet peninsula to the northwest offers miles of deserted beaches and fantastic views of remote islands with striking rock formations.