Travelbiz goes wild

Jacinta Mc Glynn (Senior Reporter Travelbiz) releases her inner wild child to visit a wonderful animal sanctuary in north Donegal. Set on 23 acres of natural woodland in Dundrain, Burnfoot, and the brain-child of Killian Mc Laughlin from Buncrana, Killian has created Wild Ireland, the perfect habitat to re-wild this already untamed part of beautiful Donegal. A man of vision, Killian has always had strong views about indigenous animals and now, close to the border with Derry, this remote area is a happy and natural home for brown bears, European wolves, lynx, ancient wild sheep, fallow deer and wild boar – animals that would have been common in these parts many years ago. To witness them populating the area again is astonishing and highly rewarding for their brave promoter. It’s a courageous step for Mc Laughlin who sees his lifelong dream come true and has the satisfaction of rescuing animals from lives of misery and cruelty.

Against all odds and with personal finance sunk in the project, even the devastating effects of Covid proved unstoppable for Wild Ireland. Mc Laughlin often faced extraordinary odds to keep Wild Ireland afloat, but his dream of re-wilding Donegal with native species has come to fruition at last. Located on the Inishowen Peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way, Wild Ireland is a wonderful day out for kids of all ages! Nature lovers will enjoy strolling through a lovely Donegal woodland (birch, alder, oak and pine underpinned with mosses and lichen) and when this gorgeous landscape is home to a collection of small and large animals, it shows how Mc Laughlin’s passion and dream has finally materialised. The day I visited with family was a true walk on the wild side showing my beloved Donegal resplendent in all her green glory. The brown bears and wolves were star attractions, but child-friendly guinea pigs, snowy owls, arctic fox, red fox, goats, stoat, ferret, crane, ibis and the elusive otters have huge appeal. I urge you to walk on the wild side in Wild Ireland and answer the call of the wild. You won’t be disappointed.