Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park

Vistors enjoying the view in COnnemara National Park.

© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

Connemara National Park
© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

Connemara National Park

Vistors enjoying the view in COnnemara National Park.

© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

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Connemara National Park is one of six National Parks in Ireland. The park is nearly 30 square kilometers in size. The park has mountains, boglands, heaths and forests. It was established and opened to the public in 1980.

 

Visitor Centre, Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park visitor centre.

© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

Visitor Centre, Connemara National Park
© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

Visitor Centre, Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park visitor centre.

© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

Enlarge image

Much of the land in the park was part of the former Kylmore Estate. The visitor centre is located in former farm buildings.

Blanket bog and heathland cover much of the lowlying areas. Drier bog and heather cover the mountains.

There are many species of birds and animals in the park. Song-birds like chaffinches, robins and wrens are common in the park.

Occasionally, birds of prey can be seen - kestrels, sparrowhawks and peregrine falcons. There is also a wide variety of moths, butterflies and insects.
 

There are many animals too, but they are difficult to spot as many of them prefer to just come out at night. Fieldmice, badgers, rabbits, foxes, stoats, shrews and bats all live in the park.
 

There are larger animals too. A herd of red deer were introduced into the park in recent times. Red deer were once common in Connemara but became extinct there 150 years ago.
 

Connemara Ponies, Connemara National Park

A herd of pure-bred Connemara ponies were presented to Connemara National Park by former President of Ireland Erskine Childers. <br> <br> Connemara ponies are the only pony native to Ireland.

© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

Connemara Ponies, Connemara National Park
© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

Connemara Ponies, Connemara National Park

A herd of pure-bred Connemara ponies were presented to Connemara National Park by former President of Ireland Erskine Childers. <br> <br> Connemara ponies are the only pony native to Ireland.

© Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government

Enlarge image

The largest animal in the park is the Connemara pony. It is the only breed of pony native to Ireland. Used to the harsh conditions of the Connemara landscape and weather, it is a hardy breed. A herd of purebred ponies was presented to the park by the former president Erskine Childers.