List of national parks of the Republic of Ireland facts for kids

Ireland is home to some amazing places called national parks. These special areas are protected by the government because they have important nature, wildlife, and history. They are great spots for people to visit and learn about Ireland's beautiful landscapes.

The very first national park in Ireland was Killarney National Park in County Kerry, opened way back in 1932. Since then, seven more national parks have been created. The newest and largest one is Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, also in County Kerry, which is special because it's Ireland's first marine (sea) national park!

Ireland's National Parks

Here's a quick look at Ireland's national parks:

National Park	Photo	Region	Size (Land & Sea)	Established
Killarney Cill Airne	The beautiful Lakes of Killarney.	County Kerry	105 km2 (41 sq mi)	1932
Connemara Conamara	The Twelve Bens mountains in Connemara.	County Galway	20 km2 (7.7 sq mi)	1980
Glenveagh Gleann Bheatha	Glenveagh National Park's stunning scenery.	County Donegal	170 km2 (66 sq mi)	1984
The Burren Boirinn	The unique rocky landscape of The Burren.	County Clare	15 km2 (5.8 sq mi)	1991
Wicklow Mountains Sléibhte Chill Mhantáin	Upper Lake in Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains.	County Wicklow	205 km2 (79 sq mi)	1991
Wild Nephin Néifinn Fhiáin	A view from the Wild Nephin area.	County Mayo	150 km2 (58 sq mi)	1998
Boyne Valley (Brú na Bóinne) National Park Brú na Bóinne	Ancient passage tomb at Dowth in Boyne Valley.	County Meath	2.2 km2 (0.85 sq mi)	2023
Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara	Skellig Michael, part of Ireland's first marine park.	County Kerry	283.3 km2 (109.4 sq mi)	2024

More About National Parks

National parks are important for many reasons. They help protect rare plants and animals, keep natural habitats safe, and preserve historical sites. They also offer amazing opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and wildlife watching.

Why are they protected?

These parks are protected to make sure that Ireland's natural beauty and unique wildlife can thrive for many years to come. They are like giant outdoor classrooms where you can learn about ecology, geology, and history.

What can you do there?

In national parks, you can often find walking trails, visitor centers, and guided tours. It's a chance to explore stunning landscapes, from mountains and lakes to forests and coastlines, and maybe even spot some amazing wildlife like deer, eagles, or rare birds.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Parques nacionales de Irlanda para niños

• Conservation in the Republic of Ireland
• National parks of Northern Ireland (none as of 2020)
• List of nature reserves in the Republic of Ireland
• List of Special Areas of Conservation in the Republic of Ireland