Ballycroy National Park was formally established in November 1998 as Ireland's sixth National Park. Located in County Mayo, it includes areas of blanket bog and mountains, interspersed with lakes. Included is the Owenduff bog, one of the few remaining (intact and active) blanket bog systems in Europe. You may encounter Greenland white-fronted geese, the golden plover, red grouse and otters in the park.
Size of Ballycroy National Park
Ballycroy National Park stretches over around 11,000 hectares.
Location of Ballycroy National Park
Ballycroy National Park is situated near the Atlantic coast in County Mayo, roughly between Newport and Achill Island.
Getting to Ballycroy National Park
From Newport you should head into the direction af Achill Island on the N59. After about 16 kms you should pass through the village of Mulranny. Follow the N59 for another 14 kms, sign posts for Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre should be in evidence. In the village of Ballycroy do not miss the sign for the Visitor Centre(a right turn), the entrance is a few hundred metres up the road.
Coming from Bangor Erris you will have to take the N59 southwards, in the general direction of Mulranny. After around 17 km you should reach the village of Ballycroy, from here the sign will guide you left towards the Visitor Centre.
Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre is located in the village of Ballycroy and generally open from Easter to the end of October (times vary). It hosts an interactive exhibition on the habitats of Ballycroy National Park and the surrounding areas which will give you a good primer for your own explorations. The special Nature Trail is also recommended viewing. Of further interest is the exploration of local legend - the Myth & Folklore Book can be downloaded from the Ballycroy National Park website (see below).
A number of special events and talks are also scheduled each year - these, some guided walks and entrance to the Vistor Centre are free of charge.
Main Attractions of Ballycroy National Park
Being an intact and active blanket bog system, Ballycroy National Park provides a number of specialised habitats for both flora and fauna. Slieve Carr, the highest peak, is an alpine heathland - and upland grassland, heaths, lakes and rivers are found at lower places. With up to 2000 mm rain each year the blanket bog never really runs dry. Hint: Bring appropiate clothing!
The flora of Ballycroy National Park is dominated by the bog habitat - you will find spaghnum mosses, black bog rush, purple-moor grass, bog cotton, deer-grass, cross-leaved heath, bell heather, white-beaked sedge, bog asphodel, bog myrtle, orchids, lousewort, milkwort, lichens, sundew and butterwort. The latter two are insectivorous. Around the many bog pools and lakes there are bog beans, water lobelias, pipewort, common spike-rush and bulbous rush. Rare plants like the ivy-leaved bellflower, the marsh saxifrage, purple saxifrage, alpine meadow rue and stiff sedge can also be spotted. In the mountainous parts of Ballycroy National Park crowberry and bilberry thrive.
Mammals populating Ballycroy National Park range from fox and badger to mountain hares, otters, the pygmy shrew, pine marten and bats. You will also spot intruders - feral American mink and red deer. Rivers are a habitat for salmon, eel, sea trout and brown trout. Bog pools are buzzing with dragonflies, damselflies and waterborne insects.
Ballycroy National Park also plays host to many bird species, including dippers, common sandpipers, woodcock, dunlin, skylarks, red grouse, meadow pipits, ravens, hooded crows, whooper swans, kestrels, sparrowhawks, merlins, hen harriers and peregrine falcons. Greenland white-fronted geese flock to the area in winter, as is the golden plover (with some of the latter staying for summer).
Amenities at Ballycroy National Park
A tearoom seating about forty is found on the first floor of the Visitor Centre. A selection of light lunches, sandwiches, soup, coffees, teas and cakes is served. Great views of Ballycroy, Achill Island and Blacksod Bay are thrown in for free.
Further Information on Ballycroy National Park
Visit the Ballycroy National Park website at www.ballycroynationalpark.ie for more details.
