Spotting Deer in Ireland

Ireland’s deer species inhabit a variety of landscapes. You might spot deer in Ireland’s dense forests or more accessible forest parks, rolling green hills, open parkland, as well as remote mountain regions. Below, find some prime locations to observe these magnificent animals.

Killarney

Co. Kerry

Home to Ireland’s only remaining native red deer herd, Killarney National Park offers ample opportunities to witness these animals in their natural habitat. The park’s blend of woodlands, mountains, and lakes makes it an ideal setting for deer to thrive. Bordering the vibrant Killarney town, park access is easy.

Read our guide to Kerry here.

Glenveagh

Co. Donegal

This ruggedly remote national park in northern Donegal is home to red deer, which roam its wild terrain. With vast stretches of woodland, peaks, lakeshore, and glens, Glenveagh National Park is a prime location for deer enthusiasts. Autumn during the rutting season is the best time to spot them. It’s a great place to spot bats too.

Read our guide to Donegal here. 

Phoenix Park

Dublin City

One of Europe’s largest city parks, Phoenix Park at the edge of Dublin is famous for its long-established fallow deer population. Roaming freely throughout the park, they are accustomed to visitors, making Phoenix Park one of the most accessible places to see deer up close. Combine culture and nature on your next visit to Dublin.

Wicklow Mountains

Co. Wicklow

Just a short drive south of Dublin, Wicklow Mountains National Park is home to both Sika and red deer hybrids. Wicklow’s woodlands, moors, and mountainous landscapes create ideal conditions for deer to thrive. Hike the Wicklow Way, fall in love with ancient Glendalough, or walk one of the many other heather-capped hills.

Read our guide to hiking the Wicklow Way. 

Red deer are primarily grazers, but when other food sources are available, they’ll happily munch away. Spot red deer chowing down on heather, dwarf shrubs and rough grasses found on the uplands. Heather is a particularly important food source for uphill animals, including red deer, during the chilly and barren winter months.

Fallow deer prefer deciduous and woodland habitats. You’ll likely spot them grazing in fields near forests, particularly at dawn or dusk. They often return to the same places, making it easy to predict where to spot fallow deer. While grass is their favourite dish, fallow deer will snack on trees and shrubs, perhaps supplementing their diet with acorns, fruits, nuts, and fungi when available.

Like the others, Sika deer are predominantly grazers but even more so than red or fallow deer, Sika are highly opportunistic, browsing a variety of food sources. They feed on grasses, broadleaf buds and twigs, heather, fruits, fungi, and acorns. Readily adaptable, they fare well in sparse conditions allowing them to flourish in pine forests, Sitka spruce, and larch stands.

It’s thought that red deer have been in Ireland since the end of the last Ice Age, making them one of the country’s oldest mammal species. Their populations have fluctuated over the centuries due to human activity, habitat loss, and hunting, but conservation efforts in places like Killarney National Park have ensured their survival.

Fallow Deer were introduced by the Normans in the 12th century and were often kept in enclosed deer parks by wealthy landowners. Over time, many escaped or were released into the wild, where they have since thrived.

Sika Deer were brought to Ireland from Japan in the 19th century, primarily as ornamental animals in private estates. Like the Fallow Deer, many escaped into the wild, where they have successfully established populations, particularly in the Wicklow Mountains.