National Parks in Ireland

National Parks

To view all the National Parks you may wish to visit the new National Parks Website.

 

There are six National Parks in Ireland. Please click on the map below to view more information on a National Park.

Background

In 1969, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recommended that all governments agree to reserve the term 'National Park' to areas sharing the following characteristics:

  • Where one or several ecosystems are not materially altered by human exploitation and occupation; where plant and animal species, geomorphological sites and habitats are of special scientific, educational and recreational interest or which contain a natural landscape of great beauty;
  • Where the highest competent authority of the country has taken steps to prevent or eliminate as soon as possible exploitation or occupation in the whole area and to enforce effectively the respect of ecological, geomorphological or aesthetic features which have led to its establishment;
  • Where visitors are allowed to enter, under special conditions, for inspirational, educational, cultural and recreational purposes.

It is the policy of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, endorsed by successive governments, to abide by the criteria and standards for National Parks as set by the IUCN.

In 2021, it was decided that the Six National Parks would be reformed and rebranded under a new National Parks website. You can download an Introduction to Our Parks New Brand [PDF].