The final feature event of International Dark Sky Week 2020 (Virtually!), will be "An Introduction to Irish Bats". It will premiere this evening on the Mayo Dark Skies Facebook page and on YouTube . To mark this event we the Education Team in the Ballycroy Visitor Centre have been busy again. Doireann has prepared an information sheet along with a quiz, click here to download. Head Guide Michael has been crafting again, and we will upload a video to our...
Happy 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The Earth Day Network works in countries around the world to drive meaningful action for our planet across these issues of Climate Action, Science & Education, People & Communities, Conservation & Restoration, and Plastic & Pollution. For more information on Earth Day go to the official Earth Day website Here at the Ballycroy Visitor...
April 18th is World Heritage Day or the International Day for Monuments and Sites. Head Guide Michael has prepared information on some of the archaeological and historical sites in and around the National Park. Click here to download a pdf of this guide.
Hares have a long association with springtime, as they are very visible at this time of year. The expression “Mad as a March Hare” alludes to the sparring activity that hares engage in during the mating season which peaks around this time of year. Check out the following link to see this activity: https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/watch-a-female-hare-battle-male-suitors.aspx Though, you might ask what hares have got to do with the Easter Festival! In Anglo Saxon mythology Eostra was the goddess of spring and she...
Spring is a time of birth and renewal; a time when nature is awakening from it's winter slumber. We begin to see some of the creatures that have rested or remained hidden over the cold winter days. One such animal that is more visible at this time of the year is the Irish Mountain Hare. Our National Park Guide Doireann has put together an information sheet and quiz on this uniquely Irish mammal. Click here to download the information sheet....
Our Education Team have been busy again in the Ballycroy Visitor Centre. Inspired by all the activity by our feathered garden visitors, Head Guide Michael has composed a wonderful poem in honour of garden birds: For those of you that want to learn more about the birds that inspired Michael's poem we have put together an information sheet. Click here to download this guide.
It's the time of year again when the butterflies are on the wing. These incredible creatures go through such an amazing transformation from a tiny egg to their adult form as a fluttering beauty! Our Education Team has put together a short information sheet on the butterfly life cycle, including a quiz sheet to test your newly acquired knowledge. Click here to download the fact sheet. We have also created a butterfly life cycle colouring sheet, click here to download...
IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE In line with new Government measures to combat COVID19 National Parks & Nature Reserves are: Open for locals who live within 2km Car parks are closed - local pedestrian access only For household groups only Maintain 2m distance from other The car parks at Wild Nephin National Park will be closed from 12 noon March 28th. This closure affects the Visitor Centre in Ballycroy, Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail & Letterkeen.
Want to learn a little about the common frog? You may see more frogs about at this time of year and if you are lucky enough you may come across some frogspawn in a pond in your garden, local park or area. Our Guide Patrick has put together a short information sheet on the frog, including a quiz sheet to test your newly acquired knowledge. Click here to download the fact sheet. We will also be uploading a short video...
***UPDATE*** Important information: For the health and safety of our visitors and staff, the National Park Visitor Centre will now not re-open on March 14th and will remain closed to the public until the 29th of March 2020. The Park grounds, including trails, will remain open. Further notices will issue once more information is available.. *** *** *** Please see the advice below regarding the coronavirus COVID-19. Click here for the latest updates from the Department of Health.
