If you're looking for an African safari with big game and large predators, Ireland is probably not the ideal destination. Ireland's five national parks do however offer some spectacular and fascinating wildlife, bird and insect life for visitors to enjoy, set in diverse and beautiful countryside.
The biggest, and perhaps most spectacular mammal in Ireland is also unique to the country. Red Deer can be found in all the national parks - Killarney, Glenveagh, Ballycroy, Wicklow Mountains or Connemara - sometimes in surprisingly large numbers. Smaller mammals include pine marten, Irish stoat, red fox, mink, otter, badgers and hare, while fallow deer and sika deer can be seen in the Wicklow Mountains National Park as well. The famous Connemara ponies are found wandering the beautiful Connemara countryside, belying their domesticated roots.
Most of the national parks as well as the untouched and uninhabited regions of Ireland boast a number of raptors, including peregrine, owls and falcon. The Golden Eagle, extinct in Ireland since 1912, has recently been reintroduced in Glenveagh National Park, with considerable success. Golden plover, ravens and many other bird species make Ireland a popular destination for birdwatchers.
Ireland has two magnificent zoos to cater for the visitor looking for animals from further afield. Both are well laid out and feature enclosures that are designed to imitate or replicate the animals' natural habitat. Dublin Zoo boasts rhino, hippo, lion, Siberian tiger, snow leopard and a variety of primates. Belfast Zoo includes snow tigers, Asian elephants and spectacled bears in its variety of animal species.
The Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary in Northern Ireland features an open sea tank with deep water fish, and discovery pools for children to experience the creatures of the sea up close. The stunning coastlines of Ireland provide an opportunity to see seals and other sea life in their natural environment as well, and whale and dolphin can be seen at certain times of the year.
Fota Wildlife Park is a 70 acre park on Fota Island in Cork Harbour where visitors can wander amongst free roaming animals for an exciting and educational experience. Fota Wildlife Park specifically features endangered or threatened species, making a trip to this park even more meaningful, as many of the animals they have are no longer found in the wild such as the Rothschild Giraffe and European Bison. Other animals found in the park (not all of them free-roaming) include cheetah, lemur, emu, monkeys, kangaroos, penguin, red panda and many more.
While the zoos may offer visitors the opportunity to see unusual, exotic and dangerous animals, the national parks of Ireland provide an opportunity to explore the habitat of its native wildlife on foot or by bicycle without fear of attack by large predators. The ability to experience any wildlife in close proximity, in their natural habitat, should not be passed up.
The biggest, and perhaps most spectacular mammal in Ireland is also unique to the country. Red Deer can be found in all the national parks - Killarney, Glenveagh, Ballycroy, Wicklow Mountains or Connemara - sometimes in surprisingly large numbers. Smaller mammals include pine marten, Irish stoat, red fox, mink, otter, badgers and hare, while fallow deer and sika deer can be seen in the Wicklow Mountains National Park as well. The famous Connemara ponies are found wandering the beautiful Connemara countryside, belying their domesticated roots.
Most of the national parks as well as the untouched and uninhabited regions of Ireland boast a number of raptors, including peregrine, owls and falcon. The Golden Eagle, extinct in Ireland since 1912, has recently been reintroduced in Glenveagh National Park, with considerable success. Golden plover, ravens and many other bird species make Ireland a popular destination for birdwatchers.
Ireland has two magnificent zoos to cater for the visitor looking for animals from further afield. Both are well laid out and feature enclosures that are designed to imitate or replicate the animals' natural habitat. Dublin Zoo boasts rhino, hippo, lion, Siberian tiger, snow leopard and a variety of primates. Belfast Zoo includes snow tigers, Asian elephants and spectacled bears in its variety of animal species.
The Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary in Northern Ireland features an open sea tank with deep water fish, and discovery pools for children to experience the creatures of the sea up close. The stunning coastlines of Ireland provide an opportunity to see seals and other sea life in their natural environment as well, and whale and dolphin can be seen at certain times of the year.
Fota Wildlife Park is a 70 acre park on Fota Island in Cork Harbour where visitors can wander amongst free roaming animals for an exciting and educational experience. Fota Wildlife Park specifically features endangered or threatened species, making a trip to this park even more meaningful, as many of the animals they have are no longer found in the wild such as the Rothschild Giraffe and European Bison. Other animals found in the park (not all of them free-roaming) include cheetah, lemur, emu, monkeys, kangaroos, penguin, red panda and many more.
While the zoos may offer visitors the opportunity to see unusual, exotic and dangerous animals, the national parks of Ireland provide an opportunity to explore the habitat of its native wildlife on foot or by bicycle without fear of attack by large predators. The ability to experience any wildlife in close proximity, in their natural habitat, should not be passed up.
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