Glenveagh is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness, with unlimited opportunities to explore and experience nature.
A Place to Learn
Explore learning opportunities at Glenveagh
Whether you’re interested in nature and ecology, local history, horticulture, or planning a visit with your group, our National Park supports a wide range of learning experiences. School field trips to Glenveagh are free of charge.
A Place to Learn
The Bridge House Education Centre
Located in a beautifully restored building that once housed the police barracks, the Bridge House Education Centre offers courses, teacher training, public talks and family events on biodiversity and conservation. The Centre is also an accredited Discover Primary Science and Maths Centre and a training facility for the Leave No Trace outdoor ethics education programme.
Field Trips
We cover general ecology, biology, conservation and sustainability, extending across many areas in the SESE and STEM curriculums. We can also tailor special activity days to suit your group’s needs. School field trips are free of charge. Talks and presentations to third level institutions can also be provided as well as outreach services to local communities and online lessons.
Field trips available for:
- Pre-school groups
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Colleges/Universities
- Cubs/Scouts/Guides
- Special Needs Groups
- Youth & Community Clubs
- General Visitors & Families
How to arrange an Educational Visit – EnglishHow to arrange an Educational Visit – IrishLeave no trace Glenveagh guide
Programmes For Schools
We’re passionate about helping young people discover more about our natural world and how to care for it.
Glenveagh Education Guides can support your school in experiencing the National Park and making connections with subjects right across the curriculum for when you return to the classroom. Learning through the landscape together, we explore the past, present and future of this special place.
Learning Modules
We provide a choice of themed days linked to the curriculum where children learn about the National Park, protecting nature and our environment.
A typical day at Glenveagh*:
10 am – Recommended arrival time at Glenveagh Visitor Centre & a quick snack
10:20 – 12pm – Nature Themed Walk (differs depending on the habitat chosen and age of the children)
12pm – Short Lunch Break
12:25 – 2pm – Activities based on the topic covered
2pm – Departure from the main car park*
Our activity days fill up fast so book in early to avoid disappointment. Booking enquiries are taken via email only at glenveagh-education@npws.gov.ie. We are now fully booked for Spring 2022 and will open for bookings for Autumn during the last two weeks of May and then later in the year, for 2023 bookings.
We can also offer specially tailored days for Discover Primary Science and Maths and The Green Flag for Biodiversity. We are now an accredited Leave No Trace Centre, so contact us if you would like to discuss what we can provide around this subject.
How to arrange an Educational Visit – EnglishHow to arrange an Educational Visit – Irish
Glenveagh: Past, Present & Future
Step back in time & explore how the park has evolved and how the landscape has changed over time up to the present day.
Learning Module: Past, Present & Future
Protecting Nature Activity Day
A general day covering a range of habitats, species and nature activities, which can vary depending on the season.
Learning Module: Protecting Nature
Discover Primary Science & Maths
Exploring the concepts of biodiversity & maths in science and the fundamental relationship between them.
Learning Module: Discover Science and Maths
Woodland Discovery Day
Learn about native Irish trees and forests, and all the amazing living things they support.
Learning Module: Woodland Discovery
Life in Our Bogs
Discover this amazing habitat and its biodiversity through a walk and hands on activities.
Learning Module: Life in Our Bogs
Little Nature Explorers
Specially designed activity day for those under 7, focusing on sorting, matching, describing and identifying all the natural wonders they will find on a nature walk.
Tailored to the ‘Habitat and Ecosystem’ sections of the curriculum, this field trip lets students take part in hands-on activities using scientific ecological methods and record their findings in a workbook for later revision. Bring to life the definitions of terms such as adaptation, environment, habitat, competition and food webs. Students gain a greater understanding of the interactions between living things in a woodland and why this work is important.
A River Studies Day involves a walk down the Glen path (7km), where students compare the three stages of a river and complete a workbook with their findings. The Barra river offers excellent examples of waterfalls, meanders and oxbow lakes. Explore the work of erosion and deposition and examine the river load at various points. Map work is included.
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Bring Wellies/strong shoes and sensible, waterproof clothes
Students and teachers need to bring a packed lunch; we provide all equipment for learning.
Teachers, please bring adequate supervision for your group and remind pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour in the park.
Glenveagh National Park extends a very warm welcome to students of all ages who’d like to come learn about nature, including undergraduate and post-graduate students. Talk to our education centre and staff to arrange guided walks and talks or to gather background information for research. We can tailor visits to suit your needs and area of study.
Our Education Programme includes community engagement and outreach. We can visit local schools, community centres and other venues to help you learn about the national park and our nature reserves. Contact us for more information.
Teacher Resources
Everything you need to know about bringing a group to the Park is here – whether you are booking a date with our Education Programme or if you are thinking of coming with a group yourself.
Learning & Education Services Brochure
Student Resources
Explore these resources and links to fun activities to do in your garden or local area. If you try one of the projects below, send us pictures of your work! We love to see them.
Email: glenveagh-education@npws.gov.ie
Downloads
Family Resources
Great resources to connect children with nature through hands-on learning. Try these family nature activities at home.
Children learn best about nature when it’s hands-on. Explore these resources and links to fun activities you can try in your own garden or local area. If you try one of the projects below, send us pictures of your work! We love to see them.
Email: glenveagh-education@npws.gov.ie
Downloads
Castle and Gardens History
Learn about the castellated mansion at Glenveagh National Park and its beautiful Victorian grounds. Construction on the castle began in 1869 by John George Adair, whose wife Cornelia Adair maintained and enhanced the castle and its gardens after his death. Set in a formerly wild mountain moorland, the castle and its gardens have a fascinating history. The last private owner, Henry McIlhenny of Philadelphia, sold the estate to the Office of Public Works in 1975 allowing for the creation of a National Park. In 1983 he bestowed the castle to the nation along with its gardens and much of the contents. Glenveagh National Park opened to the public in 1984 while the castle opened in 1986.
Read more about the history of the castle and gardens in our Castle and Gardens Guide