Gougane Barra
Ireland, Munster
About Gougane Barra
Ireland's first National Park, 142 hectares (350 acres) in the Shehy Mountains near Ballingeary at the source of the River Lee. Reforestation began in 1938 with 20 tree species including Sitka spruce, Japanese larch, Lodgepole pine, and Scots pine. Features a lake with an island oratory where Saint Finbarr built a 6th-century monastery. Offers 5km of motor trails and 10km of hill walks, nature points, and vista trails.