Heritage & Conservation

Important Nature Conservation Sites in Mayo

Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park

Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park is one of Ireland’s six National Parks. Located on the western seaboard in North West Mayo, it comprises 11,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain, covering a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range. 

West of the mountains, Owenduff bog is one of the last intact active blanket bog systems Western Europe and is an important scientific and scenic feature of the National Park. 

Natura 2000 Network

The Natura 2000 Network, of which the National Park is a part, protects rare and important habitats and species under the EU Habitats and Birds Directive. Responsibility for Natura 2000 sites, which includes Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) lies with the National parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht 

A full list of Natura 2000 sites in Mayo is available on the National Parks and Wildlife website 

Further information and FAQs on the Natura 2000 Network is available here

Nature Reserves 

A Nature Reserve is an area of importance to wildlife, which is protected under Ministerial order.  Most are owned by the State.  However, some are owned by organisations or private landowners, and persons interested in acquiring statutory protection for their lands can seek advice from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht .