Seven things: Wildlife sanctuaries around the county

Glenveagh National Park
Glenveagh National Park is among Ireland’s six national parks and it is the second largest spanning 66 square miles or 170 km2. Glenveagh castle grounds are surrounded by Lough Veagh and the Derryveagh mountains. 

The park offers a biodiverse landscape with various wildlife. At Glenveagh, red deer, otters, stoats, pine martens, golden eagles and peregrine falcons can be spotted just to name a few! 

Glenveagh reintroduced golden eagles following extinction in 1912

Interestingly Glenveagh was the first place in Ireland where golden eagles were reintroduced after one hundred years. In 2001 the Golden Eagle Trust transported a chick from Scotland and in 2012 63 eagles were released in the county. 

If you want to experience diverse wildlife and a beautiful landscape Glenveagh is the place to go. Glenveagh hosts, reptiles, amphibians, terrestrial mammals and a varied range of bird species. 

Glenveagh National Park was established in 1984 which was the third of the six national parks. The other five national parks include Killarney National Park, Kerry; Connemara National Park, Galway; The Burren National Park, Clare; Wicklow Mountains National Park - which is the largest at 79 square miles or 205 km2 ; and lastly Wild Nephin National Park, Mayo respectively. Soon, there will be another national park, Boyne Valley in Meath which will bring the total to seven once opened.