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Wildlife & Nature · Northern Ireland

Wildlife in Northern Ireland: Zoos, Birds Reserves, Butterflies

The best places to see wildlife in Northern Ireland (County Antrim, County Down, County Armagh, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone, Belfast): zoos & wildlife parks, birds & nature reserves, butterflies.

Zoos & Wildlife Parks

  1. Belfast Zoo

    Belfast

    Some 55 acres and well over 100 species; Northern Ireland's top fee-paying visitor attraction.

    See details →

  2. Exploris Aquarium

    Portaferry, County Down

    An aquarium at the foot of the Ards Peninsula with a seal sanctuary where pups are rehabilitated.

    See details →

Birds & Nature Reserves

  1. RSPB Rathlin Island Seabird Centre

    Rathlin Island, County Antrim

    Some of the largest breeding seabird colonies in Europe, with puffins from April to July.

    See details →

  2. WWT Castle Espie

    Comber, County Down

    An award-winning wetland reserve on the edge of Strangford Lough.

    See details →

  3. Oxford Island National Nature Reserve

    South-east shore of Lough Neagh

    Wet meadows, reedbeds and woods on Lough Neagh, with diving ducks and wild swans in winter, great crested grebes in summer, hides and a discovery centre.

    See details →

  4. Murlough National Nature Reserve

    County Down (National Trust)

    A fragile 6,000-year-old dune system, excellent for walking and birdwatching.

    See details →

  5. North Strangford Lough

    County Down (National Trust)

    Ireland's largest sea lough, where pale-bellied brent geese feed on eel-grass, most visible in September and October.

    See details →

Butterflies

  1. Seaforde Tropical Butterfly House

    Seaforde, near Downpatrick, County Down

    Exotic butterflies in a jungle-like setting, beside Seaforde's gardens and maze.

    See details →

Checked October 2026. Opening times and seasons change, so please check before you travel.

Read our guide to Britain's wildlife → · Gardens and the best garden & home addresses in Northern Ireland →