Zoos in and near Cork

Fota Wildlife Park

FOTA Wildlife Park is not like an ordinary zoo. Wherever possible we have chosen animals that thrive in a free-range environment, which allows them to roam free, while mixed with other species and with us human visitors! ... more

From magnificent lions to charming monkeys, Ireland's zoos have an impressive variety of animal species that will captivate and fascinate visitors.

The largest zoo in Ireland is the Dublin Zoo. The zoo's main draw card is the African Plains, a 13 hectare plot of land set aside for African species such as lion, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, and chimpanzee. The larger herbivores have a large field in which to wander and the hippos sunbathe on the sandy banks of a huge pond. Everything has been designed to give the animals a great deal of space and to recreate their environment as much as possible. Other popular species at the zoo include snow leopards, orang-utans, tigers and penguins.

Belfast Zoo in Northern Ireland is known for its conservation programs and for Jack, its resident white tiger. They have special programs specifically targeted at protecting endangered European species. A great experience at the zoo is the extremely popular “Keeper for a Day” program, and, if you would like to leave a lasting imprint from your trip to Ireland, you can adopt an animal to assist in conservation efforts.

Partnered with the Dublin Zoo is the FOTA Wildlife Park in Cork. Unlike other zoos, FOTA's animals roam free in large paddocks whenever possible, allowing for a more realistic environment and greater interaction between the visitor and the animals. You can see everything from giraffe, zebra, cheetah and lemurs to indigenous Irish animals like bats, herons and cormorants.

A wonderful conservation centre which is open to visitors is the Irish Raptor Research Centre in Boyle. The centre is Ireland's largest sanctuary for birds of prey, and you can view different species of eagles, owls, and other birds of prey flying over your head and learn about the fascinating habits of these magnificent raptors. You can also watch eagles hunting on prey-dummies in their natural environment, and you'll be amazed at the swift flight of the falcons and the sharp intelligence of the vultures.