The 10 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands

March 18, 2022 Nobuko Falco

Discover the best top things to do in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Ireland including Burren Birds of Prey Centre, Quaker Island, Coillte Kilrush, Doughmore Bay, Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre, Knockma Forest Walk, Beauty Of The Burren Walks, Curraghduff Farm, Leebeen Park, Suir Blueway.
Restaurants in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands

1. Burren Birds of Prey Centre

Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan Ireland +353 65 707 7036 http://www.aillweecave.ie/birdsofprey.html
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 688 reviews

Burren Birds of Prey Centre

DYNAMIC FLYING DISPLAYS where the visitor can interact and get up close and personal to the birds as they fly overhead and through the audience. A HOME to Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, and Owls from all over the world.EDUCATION into the amazing world of Raptors, their biology, conservation and the ancient art of Falconry.HAWK WALKS which are a once in a life time opportunity to interact with some of nature's top predators. Guided and instructed by experienced Falconers, this hour long 'Walk with a Hawk' through hazel woodland and across Burren limestone pavement is tailor made for anybody seeking a totally unique experience.

Reviewed By 346katier

The centre is staffed by knowledgable and friendly people. The birds are well-kept and in great condition. Toilets (importantly!) also clean. There's a shop with a good collection and also a farm shop with local produce. The bird show is informative and the staff clearly engaged very much in conservation: staff are also very much on hand and welcome questions. In the show we saw, volunteers were allowed to have a hawk fly to their fist which was done as part of the show very well indeed. We loved it, and I am certain fellow visitors did too. It was lovely to see handlers so clearly interested in conservation and bird welfare. Very well done.

2. Quaker Island

Lough Ree Ireland
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 6 reviews

Quaker Island

3. Coillte Kilrush

Kilrush Ireland https://www.coillte.ie/site/kilrush/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Coillte Kilrush

4. Doughmore Bay

Wild Atlantic Way, Doonbeg Ireland
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 39 reviews

Doughmore Bay

Reviewed By Burkhard042 - Siegen, Germany

Doughmore Bay is a place hard to find elsewhere in Ireland. Kilometers of sand, each day different and loved by pet holders and their dogs, surfers, beach walkers and sometimes even golfers. A plate gives evidence of a tragedy which happened 1941, when a British Sunderland flying boat had to make a forced landing on the sea You will meet sea gulls, gannets and, if you are lucky, two Border Collies who go for a stroll every morning. When you want to walk the whole bay look for low tide.

5. Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre

Merchants Quay, Kilrush Ireland +353 65 905 1763 [email protected] http://www.shannondolphins.ie
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 25 reviews

Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Centre

Visit us for guided tours of our dolphin research and education centre, and learn about the valuable work we do on the Shannon Estuary bottlenose dolphin population! Find out about the different whale and dolphin species living in Irish waters and study some real skeletons of common and rare species. Listen to dolphin sounds and watch a movie about our research. Explore our cabinet filled with interesting specimens of all kinds. Kids can explore our goggle boxes and rubbing boards or try to solve the giant jigsaw!

6. Knockma Forest Walk

Tuam, County Galway, Tuam Ireland http://corofin.galway-ireland.ie/knockma.htm
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 35 reviews

Knockma Forest Walk

Reviewed By Athenry72 - Athenry, Ireland

We had a sunny afternoon out with the kids at Knockma. We got parking in the grounds of the park but it was busy. There was a nice avenue and gentle gradient introduction to the trail. The paths were moderately steep but no problem for anybody with average fitness and mobility. Paths would be a challenge for buggies. The path verges off the forest trail to the summit and the views were fantastic overlooking Connemara mountains, Lough Corrib and all the way to Sliath Aughty. There were nice seated areas along the way for a rest at your leisure. In completion of them loop, I guess about 60+ mins there was a coffee vendor serving drinks and snacks. After completing the loop, we passed by the deserted Castle Hacket and the went across the road to the replacement 18th Castlehacket House, just follow the signs to see the lovely period house. Overall it was well worth the day trip, definitely recommend it.

7. Beauty Of The Burren Walks

Breaffa North Miltown Malbay, Doolin Ireland +353 87 623 4775 [email protected] http://beautyoftheburrenwalks.com
Excellent
84%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 37 reviews

Beauty Of The Burren Walks

Beauty of The Burren Walks offer guided walking tours of the Burren.We pick you up from your accommodation (in the Doolin area)in our bus and drop you back after the walk. The walks are an excellent opportunity to discover the unique landscape that is the Burren. With our expert guide, walkers explore the fascinating history, geology and botany of the area. A walk with us is a walk to remember.

Reviewed By twoodyt - Dublin, Ireland

Incredible walks through the unique Burren, travelling over limestone roads and green paths. You will never forget the views.

8. Curraghduff Farm

Glann, Oughterard H91 R2Y7 Ireland +353 87 396 8305 [email protected] http://www.curraghduffalpacas.com/
Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 125 reviews

Curraghduff Farm

Curraghduff Farm: Alpaca Experience and Glamping Farm. (Walks, Meet & Greets and Group Bookings). Book a place to take an alpaca for a relaxing walk around the farm, you can take plenty of pictures and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lough Corrib, Connemara and surrounding mountains. Light refreshments are also available. We now offer glamping accommodation.

Reviewed By Maireadlynch45

There was six of us four adults and two children, we did the alpaca meet and greet. Ruth and Stuart were so friendly and welcoming. The farm is beautiful, the alpacas are adorable especially Reuben. The children really enjoyed the day out having the opportunity to feed the alpacas was a great experience for them. After our lovely tour on the farm we got treated to some beverages and alpaca biscuits. Most certainly will be visiting again.

9. Leebeen Park

Smear Road, Longford Ireland
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Leebeen Park

10. Suir Blueway

Davies Road Clonmel, Tipperary Ireland http://www.tipperarycoco.ie/news/explore-suir-new-interactive-map
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Suir Blueway

Reviewed By Quillys

Hired bikes from Blueway Bike hire in Carrick on Suir. Fantastic, friendly service from Tom. Very easy to book on the website. Bikes sanitised and very good quality bikes to rent. Cycled up to clonmel and back, flat surface along the river on a glorious day. Looking forward to doing it again

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