Ballycroy National Park
Ballycroy National Park is a nature reserve in County Mayo in
Ireland. Ballycroy National Park covers an area of 11,779 ha.
The lands on which the park was created were previously used for
peat mining and agriculture, as well as for recreation,
including hunting and fishing. In the park there are remains of
buildings of various ages, mainly used as hunting lodges. Before
the creation of the park, land was purchased by the state.
The Bangor Trail, which has existed since the end of the 16th
century, runs through the park. This route connects Newport with
Bangor Erris. This path, before the start of road construction,
was the main route linking Bangor Erris to the port. Goods
transported in the port were transported through it, along the
same route the Irish who emigrated to America moved in the
opposite direction.
Ballycroy National Park contains one of Ireland’s fewer peatland
ecosystems. In addition, there are other natural systems in the
park: meadows, moorlands, lakes and river floodplains.
Of the mammals, a fox, a badger, an otter, a hare, a small shrew
and several species of bats are found. There is a red deer on
the borders of the park, which was released here and has never
been seen before in this area. In groups of conifers there is a
pine marten. Fish are found in the rivers (Atlantic salmon,
trout, eel). There are many species of birds, including raven,
whooper swan, various species of hawks and falcons.
Flora in the park is characteristic of the corresponding natural
zones. So, in the swamps, mosses and Schoenus nigricans
predominate. Several rare plant species are found, including
Saxifraga hirculus, which is under protection.
Geology
The territory of the park, like the entire north of Mayo County,
was formed in the Precambrian period. The west is composed of
shales and gneisses, the east - mainly of quartzite. The relief
was finally formed during the last glaciation, which gave the
mountains a smooth outline and contributed to the emergence of
many small lakes in the valleys.
Tourism
In the village of Ballykroy open information center of the park.
The park also has a hiking trail with information about plants.