This weekend saw several National Parks and Wildlife Service-managed sites around Wild Nephin National Park in Co Mayo affected by major fire incidents, Ireland's Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said today, Monday, April 7.
A fire has completely destroyed the Claggan Boardwalk, and a separate fire is ongoing at the forest at Letterkeen.
The Department said today that the causes of these wildfires are still under investigation, adding that dry weather and coastal breezes create conditions very conducive to wildfires.
The Department is reminding the public that actions as simple as discarding a cigarette or dumping barbeque coals can have lasting and far-reaching consequences.
"Wildfires have a devastating impact on nature, on communities, and on National Parks and Nature Reserves," the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said in a statement on Monday.
"Wildlife may die from heat and smoke, habitats and food sources may be destroyed and vegetation severely impacted. The impact can be irreparable and have long term negative consequences.
"Wildfires also pose significant risks to people, including local communities and those visiting National Parks. The risk of property damage is significant but there is an even more serious risk to life."
The effect of fires on amenities in Ireland's National Parks is severe, the Department added.
⚠️ 🔥 We are working with @gardainfo @MayoFireService @coilltenews the Air Corps and others to respond to a significant fire outbreak at Wild Nephin National Park in #Mayo
An investigation is underway. Please be vigilant especially during this prolonged period of dry weather. pic.twitter.com/N02h0Qu81V
— National Parks and Wildlife Service (@NPWSIreland) April 7, 2025
The fire on Friday night, April 4, which the Department says appears to have been set after dark either deliberately or by recklessness, destroyed an all-ability nature trail along with the surrounding vegetation.
The Claggan Boardwalk had been built by the NPWS using local expertise in 2017 to provide access for all people, including those with limited mobility. This valuable amenity is now gone because of the fire.
Due to the effects of a large wildfire last night, the Claggan Coastal Trail will remain closed until further notice.
— Wild Nephin National Park (@WildNephin) April 5, 2025
There is currently an investigation underway into the cause of the wildfire. Cleanup and repair works cannot commence until this investigation is completed. pic.twitter.com/hsIgt6Kc8z
In Letterkeen, several groups of campers have had to be evacuated overnight for their own safety.
The NPWS is working with An Garda Siochána, Mayo Fire Service, regional Coillte Staff, the Air Corps, and others to ensure the safety of those around Wild Nephin, and extends sincere thanks to those groups and to its own staff for their efforts during this challenging situation.
Our AW139 crews are currently engaged in aerial firefighting ops over Co. Mayo, tackling forest fires with an underslung bambi bucket 🔥💧🚁#IrishAirCorps #BambiBucket #FireFighting pic.twitter.com/tw6v7QXpxY
— Irish Air Corps (@IrishAirCorps) April 7, 2025
"Wildfires like the one at the Claggan boardwalk in Wild Nephin are a devastating reminder of how fragile our natural world is," Christopher O’Sullivan, Ireland's Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, said on Monday.
"This destruction not only scars the landscape, destroys habitats and species but also deprives communities of cherished spaces for education, recreation, and connection with nature.
"I am gutted for the NPWS team at Wild Nephin National Park, who built this trail with the local community to make the park more accessible. It has been a great success, allowing access to a nature-rich and profoundly beautiful landscape for everyone, including those with limited mobility.
"We must act with greater care and responsibility to protect these treasures for future generations."
Gutted for the NPWS team at Wild Nephin National Park. They built this trail with locals to make the park more accessible. It had become so popular. My department will be putting all possible resources into establishing who started the blaze. The loss of habitat is devastating. pic.twitter.com/K0Y8d24YFx
— Christopher O’Sullivan TD (@COSullivanTD) April 5, 2025
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General, NPWS, added: "Anyone who engages in this reckless, senseless behaviour should carefully consider the consequences of their actions, and will be subject to the full rigour of the law.
Meanwhile, Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has issued a Status Orange, High Forest Fire Risk Warning, which will remain in place nationally until 12 pm on Monday, April 14.
🔥Condition Orange – High Fire Risk
Warning Effective From 12pm today to 12pm 14th April. Arising from current weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist. pic.twitter.com/7Z42nrrolW
— Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (@agriculture_ie) April 7, 2025
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