Wild Ireland focuses on animals that were once native to Ireland so they are perfectly adapted to the environment. Brown bears, European wolves and lynx all now live among other animals in large natural habitats back together in the Irish forest for the first time in thousands of years.

Wild bears are currently extinct in Ireland, having died out approximately 3,000 years ago (around 1,000–500 BC) due to habitat loss and human hunting. Historically, a subspecies of the brown bear (closely related to the modern polar bear) roamed the island’s forests and mountains; their remains have been found by archaeologists in caves across counties like Clare and Leitrim. In 2026, the only place to see bears in Ireland is in captivity. There are two rescued brown bears living in a large, naturalistic woodland habitat at Wild Ireland, a wildlife sanctuary on the Inishowen Peninsula. You can also see polar bears at the Dublin Zoo. Interestingly, "Bear" is also a term used in the Irish LGBTQ+ community, which hosts the annual Béar Féile festival in Dublin every March (including 2026), where they crown "Mr Bear Ireland." So, while you won't encounter a grizzly while hiking the Wicklow Way, the "bear" culture is alive and well in the capital city's vibrant social scene.