Glenveagh National Park
Glenveagh National Park is located in County Donegal, the northernmost county of Ireland. The area not far from the city of Letterkenny extends over an area of 160.5 km². Glenveagh Park is the largest national park in Ireland. It was founded in 1984 and is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the country. Many tour groups come in the summer months to experience the varied and pristine landscapes on hiking tours or sightseeing tours.
Glenveagh National Park: Ireland’s delightful wilderness
The Glenveagh National Park combines many unusual but also typical landscapes of the British Isles. Part of the Derryveagh Mountains with Mount Erigal, Table Mountain Muckish and Slieve Snacht are located in the area. The 758 m high Mount Erigal is a popular hiking destination. As the highest point in the country, it offers a wonderful view over the national park to the Atlantic.
The Glenveagh National Park is very unspoilt. The rather bare mountains form bright contrasts to the Atlantic moorland with lakes and streams, which are replaced by vast forests at lower altitudes. Very large herds of red deer, many small animal species, birds and even the rare golden eagle live in the national park.
The highlight of a trip to the national park is a visit to Glenveagh Castle on Lough Veagh. The medieval weir castle is now a visitor center and, with the enchanting Victorian garden, offers strong contrasts to the rather barren surroundings. Also worth seeing is the Dunlewey Lakeside Center, which offers small restaurants, souvenirs and a boat rental in the summer months (April to October)
Wicklow Mountains National Park
The Wicklow Mountains National Park covers around 200 km². As part of a trip to Ireland, a visit to this unique region should not be missed, especially since the area is located at the gates of Dublin in the east of Ireland and is therefore easy to reach.
One of the most historic regions of Ireland
Although there is a lot to discover in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, the region itself, with all its beauty and history, is the real attraction in itself. A fascinating landscape, picturesque lakes and a rich flora and fauna – a visit to the Wicklow Mountains promises the feeling of untouched and real wilderness.
The valley of the two lakes
Glendalough, where the Wicklow Mountains National Park Visitor Center is also located, is without a doubt the icing on the cake and one of the most popular travel destinations in Ireland. Due to its well-preserved monastery settlement, which can be dated back to the 6th century and is of great importance for the settlement history of Ireland, Glendalough is not only the destination of various study trips. In particular, the breathtaking backdrop and the region’s embedding between two lakes (“Glendalough” comes from Irish and literally means “The Valley of the Two Lakes”) invite you to go on wonderful hikes or bike rides.
Pictures that went around the world
The pure beauty of the Wicklow Mountains National Park has long since got around to Hollywood. You can also visit the original film sets of blockbusters here. There are locations from “Braveheart” to explore, the famous Guinness Lake from “Excalibur” or the small town of Enniskerry, in which the box office hit “PS I love you” was filmed recently.
Killarney National Park
Ireland’s beautiful south west
Killarney National Park in County Kerry lies at the foot of the McGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range, and is a highlight of any trip to Ireland. The national park was already settled in the Bronze Age. In early Christian times, some monasteries were built here, of which only ruins remain today. The Celts and princes of the 19th century also left their mark here, southwest of the city of Killarney.
Lough Leane – Ireland’s answer to Loch Ness
Ancient oak forests have made the 10,000 hectare national park, which has been a nature reserve since 1981, famous. Its scenic beauty is shaped by waterfalls, three much-praised lakes, extensive forests and the mountains. The glacial lake Lough Leane, together with Muckross Lake and Upper Lake, takes up almost a quarter of the entire national park area and is just as popular with local day hikers as it is with holidaymakers.
History lives at Muckross House
In the center of Killarney National Park lies the ruins of Ross Castle, not far from the idyllic Muckross House from the 1840s. Its well-tended gardens are fascinating and surprise many a visitor, because the mild Gulf Stream ensures that even Mediterranean plants thrive here. In addition to large rhododendron bushes, you can also find azaleas and strawberry trees here. Carriage rides also start at Muckross House and invite you to leisurely explore the park landscape.
The Killarney National Park – an oasis for nature lovers
The unique south-west of Ireland is particularly easy to discover on a hike. The varied flora is repeatedly interrupted by bare rocks, which the glaciers once cut. Romantics feel at home on the shores of the lakes, because depending on the weather, a mystical atmosphere arises here. The region is also the island’s historical treasury and is full of historical relics. Guided tours, boat trips and water walks are offered in the national park. A study trip with a varied program is also ideal for exploring this region of Ireland.
