The first work started on the site that that was to become known as Clonakilty Animal Park on the 27^th October 1991, with the clearing of the area that was the old Poultry Unit at Clonakilty Agricultural College.

Over 2 years the ground was cleared of overgrown hedges, trees, briars and rubble. The hatchery building was renovated and is now the Visitors Centre, Offices and staff rest room. The idea of an Animal Park was to display animals and birds in their natural habitat with a nursery rhyme theme

In a colourful setting, your walk around the park will take you from the Pheasant area, Duck ponds, Ray and Sheep pens, Noah's ark, Gerable B & B, Fowl pens, Waterfall (manmade), Ferret and Chipmunk enclosures, Old Woman's shoe, houses of the three little Pigs, Old Machinery displays, Baby Rabbit pens, Owl flights and end up in the Visitors Centre.

The Visitor Centre has a variety of aviaries and an information room containing posters, photographs and leaflets of places of interest in the Clonakilty and west-cork area. A Teleconferencing and sports facility complex opened in the college grounds in July 1999, which gave the Animal Park visitors access to toilets, child wash room and handicapped area with wheel chair access.

A large car park is situated between the new centre and Animal Park in a calm and beautiful setting. This area is currently being redesigned and laid out.