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Hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Location and Overview
Wild Nephin National Park is located in County Mayo, Ireland, encompassing over 16,000 hectares of remote wilderness. The park is known for its rugged terrain, including mountains, boglands, and pristine lakes, making it a destination for those seeking an untouched natural landscape. It is one of Ireland's largest national parks, preserving diverse habitats and offering a serene environment for nature lovers.
Natural Features
The park features a mix of upland bogs, native woodlands, and mountainous regions dominated by the Nephin Beg range. The landscape is characterized by its peatlands and blanket bogs, which play an important role in local ecology and carbon storage. Glacial formations are evident in the mountains, and the area provides habitat for many plant and animal species native to Ireland’s west coast.
Wildlife
Wild Nephin is home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer, birds of prey like the peregrine falcon, and rare otters along the rivers and lakes. The boglands support specialized flora such as sphagnum mosses and carnivorous plants. The park is an important refuge for preserving Ireland’s native species and supports conservation efforts to maintain biodiversity.
Activities and Visitor Experience
Visitors to Wild Nephin National Park can enjoy hiking on marked trails, birdwatching, and exploring the remote wilderness areas. The rugged landscape offers opportunities for photography, nature study, and solitude away from urban life. The park is accessible via select entry points, with facilities aimed at low-impact tourism to protect the fragile environment.
Conservation and Management
Managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of Ireland, Wild Nephin National Park is part of a larger strategy to protect Ireland’s natural heritage. Conservation initiatives focus on restoring boglands, managing wildlife populations, and minimizing human impact. The park plays a key role in education and raising awareness about Ireland’s unique ecosystems and the importance of preserving them for future generations.
Last updated: Sun May 18, 2025