Countryside Recreational Activity Patterns: Evidence from Connemara National Park

Abstract

This paper is designed as a contribution 10 under-researched aspects of nature site usage in Ireland. Broad relationships between outdoor and indoor activity patterns at Connemara National Park and key occupational and age characteristics of visitors are investigated and confirm more general findings in other countries. Visits of less than 2.5 hours dominated. The number and types of recreational activities undertaken increased as the duration of visits increased. Variations in recreational choices between nationality groups were present. The potential role of nature sites within regional tourism planning and implications for management are noted.

Keywords:

• Connemara National Park
• visitor activities
• nature trails