a mountain and land visiting Ireland's national parks
Connemara National Park. Photo: Tourism Ireland.

Ireland’s National Parks: Hikes, Wildlife and Stargazing

By Elizabeth B

Many visitors to Ireland stick to the most popular and well-known sites like the Cliffs of Moher, the Rock of Cashel, Newgrange, the Ring of Kerry, Westport, and Dingle.

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But those who venture a little off the beaten path, visiting Ireland's national parks and enjoying their amenities, are rewarded with incredible scenes, fantastic natural attractions like picturesque waterfalls, dark caves, vast lakes and mountains, and lots of that epic, lush green grass Ireland is known for.

If you want to include a national park on your itinerary, check out all 6 of Ireland’s national parks below, learn what each national park is best known for, and the many family-friendly facilities the parks provide.

Each national park is free to enter and enjoy. A day spent outdoors is never a day wasted.

Wild Nephin National Park, Ballycroy, County Mayo

Wild Nephin National Park. Photo: Gareth McCormack/garethmccormack for Failte Ireland/Tourism Ireland.

Hidden away on the west side of Ireland, over the mountains and behind the bog (one of the largest in Europe) lies Ballycroy, an astounding stretch of land now known as Wild Nephin National Park.

The County Mayo park, sometimes referred to as Ballycroy National Park, recently underwent a series of upgrades to the paths, walkways, and boardwalks, and changed its official name to encompass a brand-new Dark Skies Park, one of Ireland's only certified dark skies viewing areas.

One of several trails in the Wild Nephin National Park in County Mayo. Photo: Outlier for Fáilte Ireland.

The park contains seven  waymarked trails, interesting information boards, and wooden sculptures.

The visitor center, located in the village of Ballycroy, is a perfect place to play on a wet day. It is the main information point for the park, so be sure to drop in there before you get to the park itself.

During the summer, events such as free walks and informational talks are available, so be sure to ask when you visit. It is open from March through November, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Don’t-Miss Activities in the Park

Stargazing is a popular activity at the Wild Nephin National Park.

At night, the park is transformed into a Dark Skies Park due to the incredibly low levels of light pollution visible.

The starry night sky in the Wild Nephin National Park in County Mayo is just one of the things you can experience when visiting Ireland's national parks. Photo: ©Mayo Dark Sky Park, Josh Matthews.

Expect to see stars, planets, and entire galaxies in the unfathomable fabric of the skies above, uninterrupted by artificial light.

There are three suggested dark sky viewing points that are recommended. Be sure to read the stargazing tips on the park's website before you start your adventure.

people walking on a boardwalk in the country visiting Ireland's national parks
The Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail in the Wild Nephin National Park in County Mayo. Photo: Outlier for Fáilte Ireland.

They include Cleary's Hill, which you can get to via the “Tóchar Daithi Bán” (a 2-km/1.24-mile looped walk); from your car at the Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail parking lot or by walking the 2-km boardwalk trail to a more secluded location overlooking Bellacragher Bay; or from the Brogan Carroll Bothy, which is located at the edge of the park and believed to be the darkest and most remote site accessible by car.

The bothy is open 24 hours a day for shelter, if needed, but you can easily see the night sky here from your car.

The Brogan Carroll Bothy in the Wild Nephin National Park. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Wild camping is also available in the park in four designated camping locations only. Camping outside of those is not permitted.

Anyone wishing to camp will need to register beforehand as a safety precaution. The same goes for walkers who go on extended trails in the park.

What Facilities are Available in Wild Nephin National Park?

There is a visitor center with galleries and an exhibition space that will give you an overview of the park's biodiversity as well as information on the Dark Sky initiative.

Information is also available on a wide variety of habitats within the wildness area, including upland grassland, wet and dry heath and numerous lakes and rivers as well as trees planted and managed by Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company that oversees 440,000 hectares of the country's forested lands.

The interior of the visitor center at the Wild Nephin National Park in County Mayo, where you can read all about the diversity of the park and more. Photo: Outlier for Fáilte Ireland.

A café serving coffee, lunch, and homemade cake is open during the busy season.

How to Get There

There's no need to drive to the park because the National Parks Service provides a free shuttle bus from Westport, with several stops along the way. If you want to drive, follow these Google Map directions from Westport.

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Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal

County Donegal is known for its vast stretches of nature, but Glenveagh National Park is another world.

a lake with mountains in the background visiting Ireland's national parks
Visiting Ireland's National Parks should include the Glenveagh National Park in Donegal. Photo: Chris Hill Photographic for Tourism Ireland.

The park consists of 15,500 hectares of pure Irish wilderness, from the rugged peaks of Mt. Errigal and the Derryveagh Mountains to the waymarked trail along a wooden boardwalk in Derrylahan, be prepared for breathtaking biodiversity and scenic landscapes like nowhere else in Ireland.

Glenveagh National Park, the second largest national park in Ireland, is also home to two statutory nature reserves, and it is an important wildlife site for conservation education and training.

With such a range of flora and fauna, the park supports a host of environments and opportunities for Ireland's native nature to thrive.

Don’t-Miss Activities in Glenveagh National Park

At the foot of Mount Errigal, you’ll find the curiously named Poisoned Glen.

The R251 that leads to the area known as the Poisoned Glen inside Glenveagh National Park. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Learn the legend of the poisoned eye of Balor, explore the spooky ruins of the church, see the “Seven Sisters” mountain range, otherwise known as the Derryveagh Mountains, and if you stay long enough, you might catch a glimpse of the Ghost of the Green Lady yourself!

The Dunlewey Church of Ireland ruin is a much-photographed attraction in the Poisoned Glen, which stands at the center of this magnificent valley.

an old church visiting Ireland's national parks
The Dunlewey Church of Ireland ruin in the Poisoned Glen. Photo: Chris Hill, Tourism Ireland.

It was built as a memorial to James Russell, the landlord of the Dunlewey estate.

An equally prominent part of Glenveagh National Park is Glenveagh Castle, built by Captain John Adair of County Laois, who purchased the land and then proceeded to build the castellated castle and gardens, likening it to the British Royal Family's residence, Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

a castle by a lake visiting Ireland's national parks
Glenveagh Castle in County Donegal. Photo: John Heaney.

If you'd like to explore Glenveagh National Park on foot, there are plenty of walking trails, suitable for beginners and advanced hikers.

Cycling is also encouraged.

two people cycling in the woods visiting Ireland's national parks
A family cycling through Glenveagh National Park. Photo: Yvonne Gordon, Fáilte Ireland.

Take a self-guided 3-hour tour that includes suggested routes with a list of attractions and things to do along each route.

What Facilities are in Glenveagh National Park?

The park's visitor center, which is about 4 kilometers/2.48 miles from Glenveagh Castle, has a number of exhibitions that relate to the park, such as the golden eagle reintroduction project and the Derryveagh Evictions, a tragic story that unfolded on the estate during the 19th century.

There is also a restaurant there, as well as a tea room/café, and a craft and souvenir shop, in addition to an electric car charging station. It is open March-November, from  9 a.m. to 5  p.m.

One of the rooms you'll see on a self-guided tour of Glenveagh Castle. Photo: Gareth Wray Photography for Fáilte Ireland.

Here you can purchase tickets to self-guided tours of Glenveagh Castle, which is open Tuesday through Thursday and also on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tours of the castle start at 9:45 a.m., with the last one beginning at 4:15 p.m. Admission is €7 for adults, €5 for seniors and students, and €15 for a family. Children under 6 are free.

The castle gardens are open year-round and are free to visit anytime. However, there is restricted access to the garden yard, the nursery area and the 67 Steps.

You cannot drive right up to the castle. You must avail of the shuttle bus from the visitor center carpark.

people walking on a path near a lake visiting Ireland's national parks
Walking in Glenveagh National Park. Photo: Chris Hill Photographic, Fáilte Ireland.

A separate walkers bus is available for those who want to be dropped off at Lough Inshagh or the Glen Walk.

There are no camping facilities in the park. However, if you wish to wild camp, you must follow the park's wild camping rules.

You can find information about transportation within the park and camping rules on the park's website (information on the wild camping code can be found at the bottom of the linked page).

How to Get There

While remote, the park is not far from either Letterkenny (a 30-minute drive) or Donegal town or Derry (1 hour from each of them), if you're driving.  It is a two-hour drive from Sligo. Follow the Google Map directions from any of those places.

Public transportation is also available. From Letterkenny, just hop on the 971 bus. Chart your journey on Transport for Ireland. The bus stops at the entrance to the visitor's center.

Connemara National Park, County Galway

Connemara National Park. Photo: Bernice Naughton, Fáilte Ireland.

Over 2,000 hectares of wilderness, encompassing boglands, wetlands, woods, heath, and mountain, Connemara National Park is the jewel in Galway’s crown.

Whether you’re spending the day exploring the vast outback or passing through en route to one of the famous attractions within the park itself, you’ll be blown away by scenes of natural countryside and breathtaking open landscape.

The Twelve Bens mountain range in Connemara. Photo: Big Smoke Studio, Tourism Ireland.

There are some notable mountain ranges within the park, including Benbaun (County Galway's highest peak), Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, which are all part of the famous Twelve Bens range.

Opened to the public in 1980, this national park includes lands that once formed part of the Kylemore Abbey Estate, the Letterfrack Industrial School, and the private property of Richard ‘Humanity Dick’ Martin, who helped establish the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Don’t-Miss Activities in Connemara National Park

Kylemore Abbey, as mentioned above, is one of the main attractions in the park.

a castle by the water Ireland Tourradar deals
The beautiful Kylemore Abbey in Connemara. Photo: George Munday, Tourism Ireland.

The massive estate is home to a Benedictine monastery, a neo-Gothic church, a scenic walled garden, which has been compared to London's Kew Gardens, and a mausoleum, which is the final resting place of its original inhabitants and founders, Mitchell Henry and his wife, Margaret Vaughan Henry.

The Kylemore Abbey Neo-Gothic Church. Photo: Chris Hill Photographic, Tourism Ireland.

There is a fascinating history to learn about, which is highlighted in an exhibition titled, “From Generation to Generation,” which brings to life the stories of the people who have lived and worked at Kylemore Abbey through a series of historical photographs, audio-visual presentations, as well as displays of artifacts from the Kylemore archive, including historical costumes and more.

A picture-perfect building on a quintessential Irish lake!

Courtesy of Connemara National Park.

There are four walking trails that you can take, some of which are ideally suited to the more experienced hiker. The Ellis Wood Nature Trail/Green Route and the Sruffaunboy Trail/Yellow Route are the easiest, while the two Diamond Hill hikes are more difficult, with the Upper Diamond Hill hike being the most strenuous.

people hiking up a hill visiting Ireland's national parks
Walkers on Diamond Hill in Connemara. Photo: Gareth McCormack, Tourism Ireland.

While a map and compass will come in handy, you could also use the AllTrails+ app, which allows you to download maps for use later, even if you don't have Internet service, has a feature called wrong turn alerts that lets you know when you go astray, and so many more great benefits.

Wild camping is allowed in the park, but you must follow the park's rules. In addition, camper vans are not allowed to park within the confines of Connemara National Park. You must find a local camper van park site outside of the park.

What Facilities are in Connemara National Park?

The visitor center, located close to the village of Letterfrack, is open during the season, March to September (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), and contains free information about the history and management of the park alongside ecologically themed activities to keep the children busy with a café, toilets, and a craft shop.

The Connemara National Park Visitor Centre in Letterfrack. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

I would make that my first stop before going into the park. In addition, you can get more information on the trails mentioned above when you visit.

How to Get There

You can easily take a tour from Galway City to the park. Tours often include Kylemore Abbey as well. If you're driving from the city, use these Google Map directions. If using public transportation, you can get the Citylink bus from the city to Letterfrack (bus 923).

From Galway: Guided Tour of Connemara with 3-Hour Stop at Connemara National Park

Wicklow Mountains National Park, County Wicklow

The entire county of Wicklow is stunning. It’s not called Dublin’s back garden for nothing!

Wicklow National Park. Photo: Kirsty O’Keefe for Getty Images Signature.

Buried in the 23,000 hectares of greenery is Wicklow Mountains National Park, a brimful of walks and waymarked trails through ancient forests and legendary lakes.

The park encompasses Glendalough, or the Valley of Two Lakes, a famous landscape and sacred pilgrimage point, which over 1 million people visit annually.

The largest of Ireland's national parks, and the only one on the east of the country, Wicklow Mountains National Park is easy to explore from Dublin, even on public transport.

a mountain visiting Ireland's national parks
The Lugnaquilla Mountain in Wicklow National Park. Photo: Creative Commons.

The park is so vast that it occupies all of Wicklow and even stretches into Counties Dublin, Wexford and Carlow.

The parts of Dublin that it inhabits is locally referred to as the “Dublin Mountains.”

The park's highest peak is Lugnaquilla at 925 metres (3,035 feet).

The Old Military Road in the heart of the Wicklow National Park. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Take a scenic drive on the Old Military Road (built by the British between 1800 and 1809), enjoy the sweeping green valley of Glenmalure, or why not hike one of the park's many trails?

If you want to get a sense of the history surrounding the Old Military Road and the Wicklow Mountains in general, I suggest you subscribe to Finn Dwyer's fantastic Irish History podcast. One of his recent episodes was devoted entirely to this topic, and it's a fascinating one.

Don’t-Miss Activities in the Wicklow Mountains National Park

What draws many to the Wicklow National Park is the Glendalough Monastic Site, mentioned above, which was established by St. Kevin in the 6th century, although most of  the structures at the heritage site that you will see are from the 10th though 12th centuries.

They include St. Kevin’s Church, otherwise known as St. Kevin's Kitchen, St. Peter and St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Glendalough Round Tower.

a stone church visiting Ireland's national parks
St. Kevin's Church, Glendalough. Photo: Chris Hill. Tourism Ireland.

Be sure to stop at the interpretive center before you explore the monastic site. Guided tours are available. The center is open year-round, but the hours during the winter are scaled back.

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The P.S. I Love You bridge! One of the most popular attractions in Wicklow was made famous by the 2007 movie, PS I Love You, based on Dubliner Celia Ahern’s bestselling book of the same name.

a bridge over a river visiting Ireland's national parks
The bridge featured in the Hollywood movie, PS I Love You. Photo: Visit Wicklow Facebook.

The bridge is worth seeing even if you’re not a movie fan!

Like the other national parks in Ireland, there are plenty of opportunities for walking and hiking in the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

The Spinc aned Glenalo Valley Walk in Wicklow National Park. Photo: Courtesy CONSARC Consultancy for Fáilte Ireland.

There are at least 13 trails within the park, with the Miners' Road Walk/Purple Route and the Green Road Walk/Green Route being the easiest.

Many of the others are quite strenuous and require a decent level of hiking experience. You can find a detailed guide here.

Only wilderness camping is allowed in the park. Campers must follow the park's rules.

What Facilities are in Wicklow Mountains National Park?

Wicklow Mountains National Park has plenty of amenities, including an information center off the Green Road and located close to the Upper Lake, about 2 kilometers/1.24 miles from the monastic site's interpretive center. There you’ll find information about the park, maps to guide your hike, and facilities like cold drinks and toilets.

The Upper Lake in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Photo: Courtesy CONSARC Consultancy for Fáiilte Ireland.

There are three main car parks in the Wicklow Mountains National Park.

They include the Visitor Centre car park (most suitable for visitors to the Glendalough Heritage Centre; a fee is required), the Upper Lake car park (fee-based) and a free car park in Laragh, which is located beside the Woollen Mills and the local GAA grounds.

How to Get There

If you're not renting a car, you can take a guided tour from Dublin to the park. There are several of them highlighted on TripAdvisor.

St. Kevin's Bus brings passengers from Dublin to the Glendalough Monastic Site in Wicklow National Park. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

There is also a bus from Dublin called St. Kevin's Bus that makes regular trips to Glendalough. While there, you can also explore some of the trails around it.

If you're driving from Dublin, the journey takes about 45 minutes. You can use these Google Map directions.

The Burren National Park, County Clare

A large, vast expanse of grey, lunar landscape and a strange stone ecosystem, dotted with historical ruins and ancient markers?

It must be the Burren National Park in County Clare.

Carved by glacial erosion and populated with an unlikely mix of Mediterranean and alpine flowers hiding under crevices, the Burren’s limestone natural pavements stretch over 1,500 hectares. The park, Ireland's smallest national park, opened to the public in 1991 and is now a UNESCO Geopark.

The Burren landscape, which makes up the beautiful Burren National Park in County Clare.

‘Burren’ comes from the Irish word ‘boireann,’ meaning ‘rocky place,’ and it's easy to see why.

Ancient and iconic hand-built stone walls frame the few fields; this appears to be a barren place to the eye.

But don’t be fooled.

Between the cracks is a variety of ecosystems and a plethora of flora and fauna. Twenty-three of the 27 native Irish orchids are found here.

Don’t-Miss Activities in The Burren National Park

There are underground caves, lakes, and nature in the Burren, but don’t miss the Poulnabrone Dolmen.

Poulnabrone in the Burren, Co. Clare. Photo: Carina Chen.

This huge grave marker held special significance in ancient times.

Nearby, the Caherconnell Stone Fort is another ancient site to explore, alongside evidence of an earlier structure, dating the site back to the Neolithic or Bronze Age.

You can learn all about it when you book a tour at the Caherconnell Fort & Sheepdog Demonstrations.

Walking on the Black Head Loop in the karst Burren landscape near the Black Head Lighthouse. Photo: ©Clare County Council, taken by Brian Morrison.

There are seven trails in the park, all color-coded and clearly signposted, ranging from most moderate to very difficult. You can find more information in this walking trails map.

Since this is a rugged limestone landscape, there may be places that are uneven or steep. Please be cautious as you navigate the trails.

Other attractions within the Burren National Park area include the Ailwee Caves, the Doolin Cave, the Burren Perfumery, and Corcomroe Abbey.

What Facilities are in the Burren National Park?

The best way to experience the Burren National Park is to first visit the Burren National Park Information Point in the village of Corofin, the National Parks-funded office, which is open year-round 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Burren Visitor's Centre in Kilfenora, Co. Clare. Photo: Burren Centre Facebook.

Located within the Clare Heritage and Genealogy Centre, staff there will share information on hiking routes and the best things to see and do within the park. Free guided tours are also available during the summer months. However, it's best to book these in advance by emailing [email protected].

In Kilfenora, you'll find the Burren National Park Visitor's Centre, which is a self-funded, not-for-profit community cooperative managed by the people of the Burren for the last 50 years, with information about tours in the area, exhibitions on ecology and history, a tea room, a local craft area, and a souvenir shop.

It is open 7 days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How to Get There

The Burren National Park is located an hour south of Galway City, an hour north of Limerick and Shannon Airport, and just under three hours from Dublin. The easiest way to get to it is by rental car.

The new shuttle available servicing the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren National Park. Photo: Eamon Ward.

Alternatively, you could park at the Burren Information Point in Corofin, mentioned above, and take the shuttle bus to the trailhead, or take the Experience the Burren tour from the information center in Kilfenora.

Killarney National Park, County Kerry

Probably the most visited of Ireland's national parks, Killarney National Park is a beautiful spot to relax and walk in nature.

Killarney National Park in the fall
Killarney National Park in the fall. Photo: Upthebanner, Getty Images Pro.

From the tallest peaks of Ireland's highest mountain range (the McGillycuddy's Reeks) to the scenic, low-lying lakes of Killarney below, the entire area is stunning and showcases Ireland at its best.

The park, which is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, contains 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of wilderness, including the largest yew plantation in Europe, with yew trees as old as 250 years, as well as the famous lakes of Killarney.

Check out the dramatic Torc Waterfall, which is best enjoyed after the rain. See the aptly named Mossy Woods and the native oaks and yew that line the park, which help create the vibrant and diverse ecosystem within.

The lakes in Killarney National Park. Photo: Upthebanner, Getty Images Pro.

The woods, also known as the Reenadinna Woods, are the largest area of yew woodland in Western Europe.

The park was twinned with Glacier National Park in Montana a few years ago.

Don’t-Miss Activities in Killarney National Park

The last surviving indigenous Irish red deer herd can be found in Killarney, and they’ve been here since Neolithic times.

Red Deer in Killarney National Park. Photo: Leamus for Getty Images Pro.

Try to sneak a peek at a wild deer through binoculars as you roam the trails.

There are plenty of other things to see and do in the park, such as taking a self-guided bike tour of the park; seeing the park on a jaunting car ride; taking a combination jaunting car ride and boat cruise of the lakes; bird watching; horse riding through the park, and fishing in Lough Leane.

Muckross House in Killarney National Park. Photo: Courtesy Trustees of Muckross House for Failte Ireland.

You might also want to put other popular park attractions on your itinerary, including Dinis Cottage, the Knockreer Demesne, Inisfallen Island, Ladies View, the Meeting of the Waters and the Old Weir Bridge, Muckross Abbey (formally known as Muckross Franciscan Friary), Muckross House & Traditional Farm, O'Sullivan's Cascade, and Ross Castle.

What Facilities are in Killarney National Park?

There are many facilities at Killarney National Park.


The visitor center in Killarney House & Gardens, a few minutes' walk from the town center, is a must-see, with 15 rooms of interactive exhibitions dedicated to the history and management of the park.

There is a café, toilets, a craft shop, and information on the tracks, trails, and regions within the park.

It is open 7 days a week from 9:15 a.m. to 5: 15 p.m.

How to Get There

The park can easily be reached from the town of Killarney. Take the Hop On Hop Off bus, which actually stops at various locations within the park; drive from town to the visitor center, mentioned above, or rent a bicycle in town and cycle to the park and beyond.

Killarney Street
Killarney. Photo: No Limit Pictures, Getty Images Signature.

As you can see, all six of Ireland’s national parks are places of outstanding natural beauty and wilderness. They are also havens for ecological conservation and education, with exhibitions aimed at everyone, from the young to the very old.

Now, thanks to their essential facilities, the national parks are also a fantastic option for an affordable family day out in Ireland, whatever the weather. Let us know in the comments below if visiting Ireland's national parks is on your itinerary.

colette

Colette is a County Sligo native who created Ireland on a Budget to provide her readers with money-saving tips on how to get to Ireland and then save even more when they're there. She's a professional copywriter who lives in the New York area with her husband and two children.

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