Wildlife Parks in and near Ennis

Clare National Parks

It consists of 5 parcels of wet meadow heath. The habitat is primarily molinia meadows (wet grassland). The Marsh Orchid is found in abundance on the site. Hare, Snipe, Common Frog and Orange Tip Butterfly can also be found on the site. ... more

If you'd like to spot rare birds, view some magnificent local and exotic animals, and enjoy spectacular natural landscapes, head to Ireland's Wildlife Parks.

The Wicklow Mountains National Park in the scenic region just south of Dublin has the highest concentration of wild animals in Ireland. Be on the lookout for wild goat, deer, martens, otters and badgers and bring your binoculars and guide book to spot over 100 species of birds. The area is also steeped in history as it has been inhabited for over 7000 years.

Burren National Park near Ballyvaughan in county Clare is known for its unusual geology and cave structures, and with this landscape comes unique species of wildlife. The Burren is home to seven species of bat who sleep in the caves by day and fly over the moors by night. See if you can spot stouts hunting for food in stone walls, as well as foxes, shrews and 84 species of bird, including the magnificent peregrine falcon.

Killarney National Park is known for its spectacular scenery, made up of stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. It is also home to many native red deer, which are unique in Ireland and have roamed through the woods since the last Ice Age. Killarney National Park is also worth visiting for its incredible plant life, including dense forests of evergreen trees, and native oak and yew woods.

For something a little different and not specifically Irish, visit the FOTA Wildlife Park in Cork. Unlike ordinary zoos, the animals at FOTA roam free in large open areas as much as is possible. Species include giraffe, zebra, cheetah, several species of monkeys and lemurs, red pandas as well as indigenous Irish animals such as bats, heron and cormorant.