Welcome to the website for Connemara National Park

Situated in the West of Ireland in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers some 2,957 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park's mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. 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. The southern part of the Park was at one time owned by Richard (Humanity Dick) Martin who helped to form the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals during the early 19th century. The Park lands are now wholly owned by the State and managed solely for National Park purposes.

Diamond Hill from the Visitor Centre, Peacock Butterfly & Red Deer Stags

For All Special Events & General Enquiries

Please contact the visitor centre for more details: 095 41323 or cnp@ahg.gov.ie

Click here for details of what there is to see and do in the Park.

Getting Here

The Visitor Centre and main access for Connemara National Park is located near the village of Letterfrack along the N59. Entry to the park and visitor centre is free of charge. There is no charge for parking. For advice on how to get to Letterfrack and the Park from different places please click here.

News for 2010

Connemara National Park are BioBlitz Champions for 2010

A total of 542 species were recorded at Connemara National Park over a 24-hour period from 5pm on Friday 21st May until 5pm on Saturday 22nd (International Biodiversity Day). Connemara National Park were therefore crowned BioBlitz 2010 Champions.

Details of the recording activity can be found on the National Biodiversity Data Centre Website for all participants.

Thanks to every who participated and made event such a success.

Biodiversity Banner for the International Year for Biodiversity 2010

To launch the International Year of Biodiversity, the Botanic Gardens is celebrating with a unique, specially commissioned piece of art that demonstrates the diversity, and intricacy of the Natural World. Interconnected Earth is a 50 foot long banner depicting everything from pollen grains to blue whales all linked through the double helix of a DNA molecule. The banner is on display at Connemara National Park (see photo below) as well as the other 5 National Parks in the country. For more details see http://www.botanicgardens.ie/earth/index.html

In the photo are staff from Connemara National Park,

From left to right; Ger O'Donnell , John Heanue, Breda Brady, Thomas Conroy, Patrick McDonnell, Martin Coyne & Siobhán Geoghegan