News

Connemara National Park – protecting nature for forty-five years

Date Released: Thursday, July 10, 2025

On Saturday, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) marked forty-five years since Connemara National Park first opened its gates to the public. During a special heritage event, staff and community partners came together to showcase and celebrate the unique biodiversity and cultural heritage of Connemara.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said:

“Connemara National Park is a very special place for nature, for the community and for cultural heritage. Since it was opened in 1980, the team at Connemara National Park have overseen the protection and restoration of over 2,300 ha of precious habitats and species. These include the scenic mountains which form part of the spectacular Twelve Bens range, along with western blanket bog.

Recent developments, such as the expansion of the Park, significant investment in sustainable visitor experience, and progress in managing invasive species are all really positive achievements that the team should be very proud of. The success of Connemara National Park really shows that conservation brings benefits both for nature and for communities.”

Activities during the event included displays from EU LIFE projects and other biodiversity projects based in the Connemara region. Live demonstrations focused on traditional skills such as basket making, spinning and weaving, and dry stone wall building. Some of the park’s rare heritage breeds were on show, including the iconic Connemara pony, Irish honey bee; wild Irish goat; Irish moiled cattle and Cladoir sheep.

In addition to its importance for nature, Connemara National Park brings 300,000 visitors to the area each year. The Park is the biggest state employer in the rural north west Connemara region, and all of this activity benefits both the local community and many local small and medium-sized enterprises in the surrounding area. 

Eugene Finnerty, NPWS Regional Manager, Connemara National Park said:

“Forty-five years on, this place is very much part of the fabric of the local community. It is a privilege for us to be part of the story of Connemara National Park, and I would like to pay tribute to staff both past and present for their role in protecting our unique natural heritage.” 

Further Information

  • Connemara National Park covers approximately 2,300 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands in the West of Ireland.  Some of the park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens range. 
  • Western blanket bog and heathland are the predominant vegetation types to be found in the park. 
  • Visitor experiences in Connemara National Park include the exhibitions in the visitor centre, Audio Visual Show, farm animals including Connemara Ponies, picnic areas, nature trails, children’s playground, tea room and the 6.5 km iconic Diamond Hill Walk that bring visitors to the 445m summit of Diamond Hill and which provides some of the most scenic views in Ireland. The provision of new trail as part of a multi-million euro partnership with Fáilte Ireland are currently under way.  These new trails will ensure that the park is accessible and inclusive for everyone, enhancing the visitor experience for people of all abilities.
  • Connemara National Park was established and opened to the public in 1980.  Much of the present Park lands formed part of the Kylemore Abbey Estate and the Letterfrack Industrial School, the remainder having been owned by private individuals.
  • Connemara National Park attracts approximately 300,000 visitors a year.