Located in the Owenduff/Nephin Mountains area of the Barony of Erris in northwest County Mayo, Ireland. It is one of the largest expanses of peatland in Europe, consisting of 117.79 square kilometres of Atlantic blanket bog.



It is a unique habitat with a diverse flora and fauna. Established as a National Park on 1 November 1998. The area of the park is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) as part of a site known as the Owenduff/Nephin Complex and also a Special Protection Area and part of the Natural 2000 network.



Blanket bogs, cliffs and river habitats are found in the park. The blanket bog is one of the largest expanses of peatland left in Europe. Conservation of the bog is thus of international importance because of the niches it provides for various species, such as rare species of plants. The Owenduff River is also an important conservation area because it is the only river in Western Europe that still drains a relatively intact and extensive blanket bog system. It is also a very prolific salmon and sea trout river.



The Owenduff area is an important roosting, feeding and breeding site for a number of migratory bird species, such as the Greenland White-fronted Goose, that are protected by the European Union Birds Directive. Other rare species found in the park include the Whooper Swan, Peregrine Falcon and Corncrake.



A visitor center funded by the Irish government is planned for the park. The 700 square meter building will be built into a hill on a 423,000 square metre site overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Ballycroy village. The centre is intended to encourage public appreciation of the park and its environment.