Ballycroy National Park

On an overcast July day, we set off on a day trip to Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park (Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park (wildnephinnationalpark.ie)  , Ireland’s sixth national park, located along the western seaboard of County Mayo. This vast, uninhabited wilderness of blanket bog and rugged mountains is a dream for anyone who loves the outdoors.

The Owenduff Bog, which forms part of the park, is one of Europe’s last remaining active and intact blanket bog systems—an ecosystem that feels both ancient and alive. 

The visitor centre is well worth a stop. Downstairs, interactive displays bring the story of Ballycroy National Park to life. From old photographs documenting whale hunting to exhibits showcasing the local flora and fauna, there’s plenty to learn about the region. We were fascinated to discover that the area was once covered in forest—a detail that became even more striking later on our walk along the Claggan Mountain coastal boardwalk.
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Upstairs, the Ginger and Wild café serves fresh, locally inspired food. On this visit, though, we skipped it in favour of a picnic outdoors. Before heading off, it’s worth taking a moment to admire the panoramic views from the terrace, stretching out towards Achill and across the vast expanse of Ballycroy National Park.

Outside the visitor centre, a network of walking trails begins, ranging from short 2 km strolls to multi‑hour hikes. A great introduction to the landscape is the Tóchar Dáithí Bán Nature Trail, a 2 km looped walk that follows a local boardwalk with sweeping views reaching as far as Achill Island.
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We chose to drive a little further and explore the Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail instead. This boardwalk leads you across stretches of blanket bog while tracing the coastline along a tidal inlet. Along the way, informative display boards offer insights into the area’s unique flora and fauna, adding depth to the experience as you walk.

At one point along the trail, we spotted sundew—a tiny but fascinating carnivorous plant that traps insects with the sticky hairs on its leaves. A little further on, clusters of wildflowers were in full bloom, adding splashes of colour to the landscape.

At the end of the boardwalk, the path takes a sharp turn toward the coastal inlet, leading you back to the car park along a stony beach. This final stretch is particularly striking: the blanket bog meets the shoreline, and in several places ancient tree stumps protrude from the peat or stand partially submerged in the water.
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These remnants are the remains of vast pine forests that once covered much of County Mayo and Ireland as a whole. Some of the exposed stumps are more than 6,000 years old—older than the pyramids—which gives the entire scene an almost otherworldly sense of history.

We can wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Ballycroy National Park—a place that offers something for all ages. We’ve already decided to return, but next time we plan to experience it after dark. The reason is simple: the park lies within the Mayo Dark Sky Park, which has been awarded the prestigious Gold Tier status by the International Dark Sky Association.
​In other words, it’s officially recognised as one of the best places on the planet to witness the night sky in all its brilliance. We can’t wait to stand beneath those stars and see the landscape transformed by darkness.