Wild Ireland

Wild Ireland

At his Wild Ireland sanctuary in Donegal, Killian McLaughlin is reconnecting visitors with the native species that disappeared from Irish landscapes centuries ago

Nature is all around you on the drive up the A6 motorway from Belfast to Derry. Huge trees line the road much of the way and the vista into the Sperrins is one of green fields, woodlands, yellow gorse bushes, a sprinkling of lakes, and mountains in all directions. For animals, there are a few sheep and not many cows, and no sign at all of species that once roamed these lands.

Just past Derry and into Donegal there is a reminder of that lost wildlife. At a 23-acre site that used to be a bog, Killian McLaughlin curates the Wild Ireland wildlife park where visitors can view Ireland’s only brown bears, a wolf pack, lynx, wild boar and red deer, and more familiar creatures such as guinea pigs, otters, foxes, white pigeons and owls.

Wild Ireland is a tourist attraction with about 50,000 visitors a year, and its busiest month is December when Killian organises Santa-themed Wild Arctic days, a rite of passage for Derry parents with toddlers. However, the Wild Ireland founder has not developed this animal refuge for the money. A qualified solicitor who once worked in the Buncrana family firm, the Wild Ireland founder turned his back on a legal career out of passion for the animals he loves.

If he’s not quite Dr Dolittle, the giant bears and the three wolves certainly know who Killian is. When he calls out, the animals come running, and there’s something surreal about hearing the three wolves howling when he approaches their enclosure. Prior to arriving in north west Ireland, the sibling bears lived a caged existence in Lithuania. Now they roam in a football-sized space and the keepers embed their food in logs so the bears are encouraged to scavenge rather than just line up like puppies.

Every habitat at Wild Ireland is designed around species-specific needs rather than convenience. “We ask first, what does this animal require to thrive, not what can we fit into this space,” Killian explains. “We ensure animals can express instinctive behaviours such as foraging, territory marking, swimming, and social interaction. The forest is also a thriving ecosystem that support wild species such as foxes, badgers, stoats and a wide range of birdlife. It is a living landscape that reflects what Ireland’s ancient woodlands would once have looked and sounded like.”

Killian McLoughlin’s commitment to his project has been substantial. Developing the site prior to the opening in 2019 involved installing a large car park, two-storey warehouse, ticket office, bathrooms, café and gift shop, not to mention all the trails, fencing and animal enclosures. For good measure, Killian estimates that he has personally planted over 2,000 trees to nurture his ‘Celtic Rainforest’. 

With over thirty staff on the payroll, and a sizeable annual overhead for animal care and food, every revenue stream matters. The gift shop is crammed with furry wolves, bears, rabbits, owls and foxes, as well as apparel, food items, books and games, and all the products are also sold on the Wild Ireland online store. 

“It is especially meaningful when children go home with a soft toy wolf as it helps reshape the narrative around these animals,” Killian remarks. “Instead of fear-based stories like Little Red Riding Hood they develop empathy and understanding. The online shop has been absolutely vital to our survival and growth as every purchase contributes to animal care, habitat development and rescue operations.”

Killian adds that An Post supports Wild Ireland by providing a reliable, scalable collection and delivery system that connects the animal sanctuary with customers in Ireland and internationally. “This partnership has helped turn the online shop into a sustainable revenue stream that directly funds conservation work and strengthens engagement with our supporter base,” he says.

Recent developments at Wild Ireland include a Crannóg-style otter habitat, where visitors can view otters underwater through large glass viewing panels. On the way is a new bear forest habitat for incoming rescued bears, an expanded wolf habitat, and additional native species conservation areas. Of Wild Ireland’s three core objectives - rescue, education, and conservation – Killian says education is most important. Without education, he argues, there is no awareness, and without awareness there is no conservation.

“There is a growing cultural shift in Ireland’s relationship with nature and wildlife,” says Killian. “Historically, Irish culture had a deep respect for the natural world. Species such as the wolf were once respected and even revered in Irish folklore. Once a species is gone it cannot be recovered so raising awareness of what has been lost is an important part of protecting what remains.”