Ireland is known around the world for its marine biodiversity and coastal landscape. Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí is Ireland’s first marine National Park. Together, the islands off the Kerry coast, offshore marine reefs, and nearby coastal mainland sites form a National Park of truly international significance for nature and biodiversity.

The establishment of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí recognises and protects our marine biodiversity and heritage. The Park includes iconic islands, marine reefs, mainland coastal and maritime sites clustered in one broad geographic location – on and off the Kerry coast. It brings together some of our finest nature habitats, including limestone reefs, flagship sand dune systems and blanket bog. It protects these habitats and the diverse species who live there – from breeding seabirds, to wintering water birds, whales and dolphins.

In addition to biodiversity, locations within the Park are very significant for language, literature, folklore and cultural heritage. The Park includes a World Heritage site, Sceilg Mhichíl, an island and ancient monastic settlement, now home to protected and beautiful birds, and a place of global importance.

Location

Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí includes various islands off the coast of Co. Kerry, the World Heritage o Sceilg Mhichíl, the Kerry Head Shoal, Inch Sand Dunes, the uplands of Mount Brandon, and the majestic Conor Pass.

Protecting nature is the main aim of a National Park. Conservation work goes hand in hand with responsible outdoor recreation and visitors can help play their part by following these useful tips.

In addition to the World Heritage Sceilg Mhichíl, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí hosts various other significant heritage sites.

The Valentia Tetrapod Trackway is one of only four trackways known world-wide made by primitive land animals during the Devonian Period (ca. 400 million years). The longest trackway has over 145 imprints of the feet of an early animal.

Underwater cultural heritage is found around the coastlines including numerous known historic shipwrecks. On land, the landscapes of the Park document the history of settlement in the region, with archaeological monuments and traces of the generations who lived there.

The island communities who lived off the Kerry coast are an integral part of Ireland’s heritage. They passed down oral traditions including folklore, history, and religious belief, and lived with a unique reliance on the environment and relationship with the natural world. On a global scale, they left a legacy which was almost unparalleled. At a time when documents and accounts were written almost exclusively from urban and landed perspectives, the Blasket communities told and wrote their stories in their own words, giving us an invaluable and unique record and insights into the extraordinary lives of ordinary people and their perspectives on the world. The Park recognises the uniqueness of those who live in these parts and their relationship with these seas and its nature.