Animal Experience in and near Wicklow

Glenroe Farm

Glenroe Farm welcomes visitors from March to October each year. Pets' Corner is where the young and curious visitors can hold and pet their favourite furry animals such as rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs and chipmunks. ... more

Would you like to get up close and personal with a magnificent eagle? Or perhaps a cute pot bellied pig is more your type of animal? Whatever your favourite member of the animal kingdom, Ireland's variety of animal experiences provide visitors with the opportunity to meet mammals, birds and reptiles and learn more about wonderful wildlife.

Many of Ireland's animal encounters are specifically geared towards children, with exciting play parks often located at the venues, but everyone will be amazed by the animals on show in Ireland and will enjoy gaining insight into some incredible creatures.

Eagles Flying, the Irish Raptor Research Centre, is the country's largest sanctuary for birds of prey, situated in the magnificent landscape of County Sligo, near Boyle, in Northwest Ireland. Here you can witness different species of eagles, owls, and other birds of prey soaring over your head and learn about the fascinating habits of these impressive raptors. You can even watch eagles hunting on prey-dummies in their natural environment, and you'll marvel at the swift flight of the falcons and the amazing intelligence of the vultures.

If animals of the slithering and scaly variety are your thing, you'll be right at home at Reptile Village in Kilkenny, where you can handle live snakes and view the more than 150 different species residing at the centre, including crocodiles, cobras, geckos and giant spiders. Reptile Village is involved in significant conservation work, breeding endangered iguanas, geckos and chameleons to preserve these intriguing animals for future generations.

If you'd like to admire swarms of brightly coloured butterflies, make a visit to the Butterfly Sanctuary at Aughinish Island near Adare, where a disused quarry forms a haven for Ireland's beautiful native butterflies. Nature walks through the sanctuary will give you the opportunity to spot rare species such as the Dinghy Skipper, Small Blue and Wall Brown.

Perhaps you, or your children, are interested in the cute and fluffy spectrum of the animal world. There are plenty of opportunities in Ireland to cuddle adorable farm animals while learning about rural life.

Young McDonald's Animal Park near Carlow offers visitors a great day out in the countryside and the chance to meet some special farm animals, including a Vietnamese pot bellied pig, and plenty of delightful baby animals such as goat kids, calves and lambs. Turoe Pet and Leisure Park near Galway is home to a variety of domestic and rare birds which can be observed along a scenic nature trail and enjoying themselves in their Duck Pond. Leahy's Open Farm in Cork has a wide variety of animals on display, including strange-looking rhea birds from South America, as well as llamas, alpacas, snakes, and many farm animals. If you're brave, you can hold a snake, or you might prefer to cuddle a fluffy rabbit instead.

At Lahinch you can visit Moher Hill Open Farm and Leisure Park, where you can interact with a variety of animals, both those typically found on Irish farms, as well as more exotic species. You can meet Betty the llama, Ossie the ostrich, and Chester, a rare and lovable Falabella pony, as well as a herd of the unusual Jacob sheep. Rare birds, red deer and a family of cute pot bellied pigs complete the picture, providing a fascinating and charming animal experience. Children can feed and pet many of the animals, and there's also a nature walk so you can enjoy the beautiful Irish countryside.

In Wicklow, Glenroe Farm offers hours of excitement with its range of activities and chances to get up close to some wonderful animals. You can admire traditional farm animals such as sheep, cattle, pigs, goats and ducks, as more exotic species like the Sika deer from Asia. Children will be captivated by Pets' Corner, where they can hold and stroke furry creatures like rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs and chipmunks.