A wildlife sanctuary just over the border in Co. Donegal, where rescued brown bears, grey wolves, lynx and wild boar roam wooded trails that once knew these very animals — a short drive from Derry, and a proper day of wow for NI families.
What you'll see — the big draws are the brown bears and the grey wolves, with lynx, wild boar, red deer, foxes, raccoons and monkeys among the rescued animals along the woodland trails. Many arrived from difficult situations elsewhere, and the sanctuary is built around giving them space in native Irish woodland.
Don't miss — the keeper talks through the day are the moment to catch, when the team share the story of each animal and how it came to be here. Check the times when you arrive.
How long — most families make a half-day of it, following the loop through the woods at an easy pace with plenty of stops to watch.
Cost — tickets are booked online, and the sanctuary notes that pre-booked prices are the best value while gate rates are higher and subject to availability. Prices are in euro — confirm the current rate when you book.
Good to know — there's a café and free parking on site, keeper talks, and party and school options. Bring a coat, water and a hat — the trails are outdoors and wind through the trees whatever the sky's doing.
It's in the Republic — euro prices. Wild Ireland is in Co. Donegal, a short drive over the border from Derry. You don't need your passport for the crossing, but bank on paying in euro and check your mobile data doesn't roam.
Book online ahead. Gate rates are higher and admission at the gate is subject to availability, so pre-book on wildireland.org to be sure of your spot and the better price.
Plan your visit
Book online for the best value
Wild Ireland is open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. Tickets are sold through the website, and the sanctuary is clear that pre-booked online prices are the best value — gate rates are higher and admission at the gate is subject to availability, so booking ahead is the safe move on a busy day. Prices are in euro. It's an outdoor woodland site, so dress for the weather and give yourself time to follow the trail at an easy pace and catch a keeper talk. Confirm the current hours, ticket prices and talk times on wildireland.org before you travel.
Café on siteFree parkingKeeper talks through the dayParty & school options
Worth knowing:
Wild Ireland is in the Republic, over the border in Co. Donegal — a short drive from Derry. You won't need your passport for the crossing, but tickets and the café are priced in euro, and it's worth checking your mobile plan so data doesn't roam. Always confirm hours, prices and keeper-talk times on wildireland.org before you set off.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🥾Comfy shoes for the trailIt's a woodland site with paths through the trees — flat, walkable footwear beats sandals for the loop round the enclosures.
🧥A coat and a hatThe trails are outdoors and shaded by trees, so layers keep everyone happy whatever the sky's doing. Sunshine here is a joy — enjoy it with a hat and water.
💶Euro for the café & extrasYou're in the Republic, so tickets, snacks and treats are priced in euro. Book tickets online ahead for the better rate.
💧Water for the walkHandy for little ones between the bears, wolves and the walk round the woods — there's a café on site too.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Tickets are booked online, with pre-booked prices offering the best value; gate rates are higher and subject to availability. Prices are in euro as the sanctuary is in the Republic. Check the current adult, child and family rates on wildireland.org when you book.
Hours
Open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. Confirm the day's hours on the website before travelling, especially around holidays.
Booking
Pre-booking online is recommended — it's the best-value rate and secures your spot, as gate admission is subject to availability.
Ages
Suits all ages. Younger children love the bears and wolves; older kids and adults get plenty from the keeper talks and the rescue stories behind each animal.
What you'll see
Rescued brown bears and grey wolves are the headline animals, alongside lynx, wild boar, red deer, foxes, raccoons and monkeys, set along woodland trails. Keeper talks run through the day.
Food
There's a café on site for hot food, snacks and drinks. Priced in euro.
Parking
Free parking on site.
Accessibility
It's an outdoor woodland site with trails through the trees; check with the sanctuary on wildireland.org about buggy and wheelchair access for the routes before you visit.
Extras
Keeper talks, birthday party packages, school programmes and private tours are offered — see the website for what's on.
How long
Allow a half-day to walk the trail at an easy pace, watch the animals and catch a keeper talk.
Location
Dundrain, Burnfoot, Co. Donegal, F93 KN7X — over the border from Derry, in the Republic.
Questions
Before you go
Do I need to book?
Booking online is recommended — it's the best-value rate and secures your spot. Gate admission is higher and subject to availability, so pre-booking on wildireland.org is the safe move, especially on a busy day.
Is it in Northern Ireland or the Republic?
It's in the Republic — Burnfoot, Co. Donegal — a short drive over the border from Derry. You won't need your passport for the crossing, but tickets and the café are priced in euro, and it's worth checking your mobile plan so data doesn't roam.
What animals will we see?
Rescued brown bears and grey wolves are the big draws, along with lynx, wild boar, red deer, foxes, raccoons and monkeys. Keeper talks through the day share the story of each animal and how it came to be here.
How long does it take?
Most families make a half-day of it — enough time to follow the woodland trail at an easy pace, watch the animals and catch a keeper talk. There's a café on site for a break.
Is it good in the rain?
It's an outdoor woodland site, so a coat and comfy shoes make all the difference. The animals are often more active in cooler, damper weather, and the café is there for a warm-up. Confirm the day's hours on wildireland.org before you travel.
Is there food and parking?
Yes — there's a café on site for hot food and drinks (priced in euro), and free parking. Bring water for the walk round the trails.
Getting there
Dundrain, Burnfoot, Co. Donegal, F93 KN7X — just over the border from Derry, with free parking on site. It's a short drive from the city, following the road towards Buncrana and the Inishowen peninsula.
The animals that once roamed here — back in the woods
Wild Ireland sits on wooded land at Burnfoot in Co. Donegal, a short run over the border from Derry, and its idea is a simple, striking one: to bring back to Irish woodland the animals that once lived here. Brown bears, wolves and lynx were all part of this island's wild past, and here they move again through native trees — not as a spectacle, but as rescued animals given room to be themselves.
Most of the residents arrived from difficult situations elsewhere, and the sanctuary is built around their care. Alongside the headline bears and wolves you'll find lynx, wild boar, red deer, foxes, raccoons and monkeys, each with a story the keepers are glad to tell on the talks that run through the day. It's what lifts a visit above a simple animal park — you leave knowing where each one came from.
For NI families it's become one of the most talked-about days out just across the water, an easy drive from Derry into the green edge of the Inishowen peninsula. Wrap up, follow the trail through the woods, catch a keeper talk, and let the children stand a few feet from a bear or a wolf they'll not forget in a hurry.