By Elizabeth B
When it comes to family-friendly animal attractions, Ireland punches above its weight. You’ll find zoos, aquaria, sanctuaries, and nature reserves, or some other cool animal-related attraction, in practically every county.
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Dublin Zoo, opened to the public in 1830, is one of the oldest in the world.
And its most famous son? The original and iconic MGM lion, Cairbre, born in Dublin Zoo in 1919, who introduced every Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie made from 1924 to 1928!
From rural farms offering alpaca walks at sunset to rescue centers and charities run entirely by volunteers, there is a place for every animal lover in Ireland.
Check out these 8 animal attractions in Ireland and while you’re at it, why not add at least one to your itinerary?
Be sure to scroll to the end because we’ve added on oodles of other animal attractions that we’re sure you’ll love.
Dublin
1. Dublin Zoo
Home to more than 100 species, Dublin Zoo has been an integral part of many vital breeding programs and zoological science endeavors since it was founded.
The 70-acre plot, part of the city’s beautiful Phoenix Park, makes for a lovely stroll, with numerous indoor and outdoor animal enclosures, and attracts over 1 million visitors annually.
What to Expect: Giraffes, hippos, lions, and other big cats roam the African Plains, while spiders, snakes, and reptiles fill the hot houses. You’ll find rare birds, flamingos, penguins, and a petting zoo full of farmland friends. Don’t miss Monkey Island, the African Savanna and the Family Farm.
The zoo features a diverse mix of interactive exhibitions and animals, bound to amuse and entertain any animal lover.
Allow at least 4 hours to explore the zoo thoroughly. With cafes, restaurants, and fast food, and all the family amenities you would expect in a modern zoo.
Walk up Chesterfield Avenue afterward, through the Phoenix Park and towards the Papal Cross. You may glimpse the herd of over 400 fallow deer that call the park home.
County Donegal
2. Wild Ireland
What started as a daring plan to rescue and re-home an exploited bear has grown into a marvelous tourist attraction and a unique educational experience.
In this living classroom, visitors are invited to explore a range of rescued species that take sanctuary and are housed in distinct habitats throughout the Celtic rainforest. With keeper talks and regular exhibitions, Wild Ireland is a brilliant day out for all the family.
What to Expect: Expect to see and learn about the Irish Big Five – bears, wolves, lynx, wild boar, and red deer, all species that were once abundant in the county — and throughout Ireland.
3. Wild Alpaca Way
Imagine talking your alpaca for a light stroll at sunset, in the most stunning landscapes in the whole country?
At Wild Alpaca Way on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, you can do just that.
Alpacas make great herd animals for a climate like Ireland. Their wool is hypoallergenic, waterproof, and exceptionally warm, and alpacas don’t damage land like other ungulates. They also eat what other picky farm animals won’t, and alpaca farms have become a feature along the Wild Atlantic Way.
What to Expect: There are plenty of options for tours with Wild Alpaca Way, and competitive family ticket pricing is also available. Walking an alpaca in Donegal, put it on the bucket list quick!
County Cork
4. Fota Island Wildlife Park
Ireland’s most established nature park has evolved into a luxury resort, catering to high-end vacationers as well as day-trippers interested in the animals.
Opened in 1983, the 50-acre site is mainly mature grassland habitat, and most species you’ll find here are already endangered. What makes Fota Island Wildlife Park stand out as an animal attraction is that most of the 70 species are free to roam within the park.
What to Expect: Cheeky lemurs, wallabies, and bold peacocks stroll among the guests and even interact, usually motivated by food! Spend the day exploring the grounds of the park, relaxing in one of three restaurants, and then enjoying the animals in this natural habitat.
5. The Donkey Sanctuary
A little off the beaten track, The Donkey Sanctuary in Liscarroll, County Cork, is worth it and a brilliant animal attraction.
Founded in 1987 by Paddy Barrett, the farm is a registered charity that offers care, advice, rescue, and rehoming to over 5,000 donkeys to date.
Donkeys are considered quite special in Ireland, with only around 10,000 remaining.
The Donkey Sanctuary rescues mules from abuse, exploitation, and neglect, giving these kind animals, who can live up to 30 years, a dignified life.
What to Expect: Open Friday to Monday with no entrance fee, visiting the sanctuary run by passionate animal lovers is an excellent stop on your journey through County Cork.
County Kilkenny
6. The National Reptile Zoo
If you are into snakes, toads, and spiders, this place is for you!
With over 100 animals and 50 species on display, along with hourly demonstrations and even meet-and-greets with the critters, this little-known tourist attraction and snake zoo is a big adventure.
What to Expect: Meet and maybe even handle tortoise and tetrapods, tarantulas and pythons, all in the middle of Kilkenny City. Suitable for all ages, the attraction is also Ireland’s only reptile zoo. Make unforgettable memories for your little lizard lovers!
County Meath
7. Emerald Park
Part amusement park, part zoo, Emerald Park opened in Meath in 2010, bearing the name of its sponsor, Tayto, a best-selling potato chip brand.
In 2022, it dropped its sponsor and adopted a more Irish name; the park is now the 6th most visited paid-for attraction in Ireland.
Home to 250 animals, including big cats, the park is one of Ireland’s premier family attractions, with something to suit everyone.
What to Expect: Watch a falconry show with a range of birds of prey, make furry friends at the petting zoo, explore the outdoor playground, hang out in the junior area, or take a train ride through the grounds. There are otters, goats, meerkats, and more to see here too.
On top of being a zoo with amusements, Emerald Park is home to Ireland’s only wooden rollercoaster, the Cú Chulain. Try that if you dare.
County Kerry
8. Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium
Located in Dingle, County Kerry, this is one of Ireland’s leading aquariums, offering an interesting opportunity to learn about Ireland’s underwater world and see some species up close.
What to Expect: Get tactile at the touch pool, explore the underwater tunnel, and view displays of rare and unusual sea life.
Hear about the conservation efforts spearheaded by the aquarium and the work they do to protect the seas around Kerry for the betterment of every species.
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Standards for Ireland’s Animal Attractions
The welfare of animals in Ireland’s many attractions is taken very seriously, with all animals kept to the highest standards of animal welfare. This means they are provided with appropriate space, diet, and stimulation, as well as the option to interact with or not interact with guests.
The facilities that they live in are regularly inspected, and rigorous standards are set in line with best practices worldwide.
These 8 animal attractions in Ireland list is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of other similar attractions you can visit in Ireland (see the list below).
Each center, attraction, or zoo is required to have adequate facilities like water and baby changing areas for visitors. In addition, you’ll find gift shops, cafes, and restaurants in most venues, meaning your trip to an animal attraction in Ireland is an unforgettable day out for all the family.
Additional Animal Attractions on the Island of Ireland
Achill Experience, Aquarium and Museum, Achill Island, County Mayo – this is County Mayo’s only aquarium housing a variety of fish, including tropical varities. See catsharks, crabs, thornback rays, starfish, sea urchins and more, and learn about Achill’s shark fishing industry which, during the 1950s, was the largest in the world.
Ailwee Caves Birds of Prey, Ballyvaughan, County Clare – interact with one of nature’s top predators and take a hawk walk through woodland trails.
Ark Open Farm – home to around 200 animals, including traditional farm animals and more exotic animals like meerkats and reindeers. Contains a bespoke play space, which includes slides, swings, a sand digger and a zipline. Also houses a Fairytale Forest and Jurassic Ark. Only 8 miles/12 km from Belfast City.
Atlantic Sheepdogs, County Sligo – the farm is home to 9 Border Collies as well as diverse sheep breeds in a beautiful place overlooking Streedagh Beach in North Sligo. Offers sheepherding tours.
Belfast Zoo – established in 1934, it is the second-oldest zoo on the island of Ireland. Its 55 acres houses more than 1,200 animals/140 species. The zoo maintains important conservation work, including participating in over 90 European and international breeding programs.
Caherconnell Stone Fort & Sheepdog Demonstration, Caherconnell, County Clare – watch an engaging sheepdog demonstration and learn about the history of the nearby stone fort. Located in the heart of the Burren.
C&J’s Animal Park, Portadown, County Armagh – animal handling sessions are available at this farm every day. They include the opportunity to touch or hold snakes, lizards, rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises, and more.
Cranfeld Alpacas, Cranfeld, County Down – offers three main experiences, including a beach trek, a field walk, and an Alpaca Adventure Trail. Private alpaca experiences are also available.
Dingle Sheepdogs, Demonstrations & Trials, Fahan, County Kerry – watch a sheepdog trial, feed a baby lamb, and visit the nearby historic famine cottages.
Errigal View Pet Farm, Errigal, County Donegal – get close-up to meerkats, emus, ilamas, red deer, pygmy goats, and more. Indoor and outdoor play areas.
Explorus Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary, Portaferry, County Down – the only public aquarium in Northern Ireland and only an hour from Belfast. Also rehabilitates sick, injured or abandoned seal pups.
Galway Atlantaquaria, Salthill, County Galway – this is Ireland’s larges native species aquarium housing clownfish, piranhas, as well as bream, wreckfish, bass and Smoothhound, a common species of shark found in Irish waters, and much more.
Glendeer Pet Farm, County Wicklow – interact with pet baby animals such as bearded dragons, chicks, rabbits and guinea pigs. In addition, children get a bag of food to feed some of the larger animals like goats, sheep, emu, donkeys, cows, llama, and more. The farm also houses resident monkeys, George and Gina, as well as wallabies, parrots and meerkats.
Ireland’s School of Falconry, Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo – the oldest falconry school in Ireland that provides one-hour private hawk walks on the beautiful grounds of Ashford Castle.
Kennedy’s Pet Farm, County Kerry – lot of animals to pet here, including alpacas, deer, pigs, piglets, horses, calves, sheep, lambs, goats, kids, donkety, rabbits, ducks, “Prince” the peakcock, and more. Indoor and outdoor playgrounds are on site. Only 10 minutes from the town of Killarney.
Killary Sheep Farm, Leenane, County Galway – 200 ewes and lambs roam the hills on this beautiful Connemara farm. See the sheepdog demonstration and feed the baby lambs.
Kingdom Falconry, Dingle, County Kerry – offers two experiences, including The Falconry Experience and The Hawk Walk Experience.
Kissane Sheep Farm, County Kerry – this rural farm, located in a Special Area of Conservation near Killarney National Park, offers sheepdog demonstrations and the chance to feed baby lambs (seasonal).
Leahy’s Open Farm, Mildleton, County Cork – home to a wide range of animals including alpacas, donkeys, a snake, sheep, goats and horses. Enjoy the quad and barrel train that will take you through the Cnoc a Ceo woods. Also contains a playground, adventure trail, crazy golf, a mystery maze, and more.
Moher Hill Open Farm, County Clare – not far from the Cliffs of Moher, this delightful 14-acre open farm offers encounters with ilamas, alpacas, emus, ostriches, and more. An indoor play space is also available for rainy days.
Mountpather Farm Park, Dundrum, County Down – Located outside the town of Newcastle, this open farm houses many animals, including guinea pigs, as well snakes and lizards, lemurs and ilamas, Marmoset monkeys, parrots, wallabies, and meerkats, many of them in the petting barn. Its Deer Safari is very popular as kids and adults get to hop into the back of the farm’s quad trailer and up close to their deer herd. A Bounce House and playground are also on the premises.
Rathlin Island Puffins, County Antrim – come see these adorable creatures on Rathlin Island. To get the best view of them (during the summer months only), be sure to go to the island’s nature reserve. Admission for adults is £9; students – £6.50, and children ages 5-15 – £5. Teens ages 16-24 and children under age 5 are admitted free of charge.
Seaforde Gardens & Tropical Butterfly House, Seaforde, County Down – located in the historic demesne of Seaforde, a 400-year-old family home, this attraction includes a walled garden and a butterfly house, which is home to thousands of butterflies, including the Blue Morpho, the King Page Swallowtail, the Malachite, the Scarlett Peacock, the Tree Nymph and more, as well as moths. You can also expect to see reptiles and birds there.
Secret Valley Wildlife Park, Coolnacon, Co. Wexford – feed the llamas, meet the park’s meerkats, and go on a pony ride. Only 1.5 hours from Dublin and relatively close to Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford town.
Sheans Horse Farm, Armoy, County Antrim – offers a number of horse riding experiences, including trekking, hacking, picnic rides, cross country rides, beach riding, afternoon tea rides, and much more. Suitable for beginner and advanced riders. Frequently takes riders along the Coastal Causeway route.
Streamvale Open Farm, Belfast – Northern Ireland’s only open dairy farm. Lots of animals to feed and cuddle with, such as newborn rabbits in the Cuddle Corner. Experience pig and poultry feeding at the Piggy Palace, as well as the chance to feed bigger animals, such as alpacas, highland cows, goats, and more. Very suitable for toddlers, but older children will enjoy it too.
The Farm Grenagh, County Cork – a great place to learn about Irish heritage farming. Contains a working farm where you can interact with cattle, sheep, horses, donkeys, and more. Spring is an exciting time on the farm when baby lambs are born. See the 1950s village, where a collection of farm machinery spanning 50 years is housed, as well as a fairy garden and a play area. Only 15 minutes from Cork City.
Tropical World, Letterkenny, County Donegal – open seasonally (April-Sept.), this attraction includes a Butterfly House and a mini zoo that houses the likes of lorikeets, Turacos and birds from around the globe, in addition to lemurs and miniature monkey, along with racoons, meerkats and more.
Turoe Pet Farm, Loughrea, Co. Galway – pet farm where kiddos can feed the animals around the 14-acre farm, an indoor “Jungle Town” with slides and ball pits, astro turf pitch and grass football pit and much more.
Wild Atlantic Wildlife Park, Dingle, County Kerry – newly opened, this animal attraction located outside the town of Dingle houses a variety of animals, including emus, donkeys, alpacas, a Falabella Pony, a peacock, chickens, pygmy goats, a Sika Deer, sheep, and much more.
Wild Encounters Mini Zoo, Kilmeedy, County Limerick – home to exotic animals rescued from the exotic pet trade, as well as domestic animals. Fun activities include watching ferrets slip and slide through tunnels and over obstacles in a ferret race, feeding time for the facility’s meerkats, as well as the chance to pet some of the small animals.
World of Owls, Randalstown, County Antrim – this is the premier owl and bird of prey center in Northern Ireland. In addition to the owls and birds at the center, you can also expect to see reptiles, spiders, slugs, beetles, snails, centipedes, worms, earwigs, and caterpillars. No need to book. The center is located about 25 miles/40 km from Belfast.
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber, County Down – a 60-acre wetland reserve on the edge of Strangford Lough. Home to the largest collection of ducks, geese and swans in Ireland, as well as willow warblers, terns, and dragonflies that are common to the area during the summer months.
Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited any of the above 8 animal attractions in Ireland.
