DESPITE objections from farmers, white-tailed sea eagles are to be introduced into Kerry this year.
Minister of State Batt O’Keeffe confirmed at the weekend that the plan by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to release 75 eagle chicks in Killarney National Park over the next five years was going ahead.
Since the controversial plan was announced earlier this year by Environment Minister Dick Roche, hundreds of farmers in Kerry and west Cork have vehemently opposed it at a series of IFA meetings, claiming the eagles would prey on lambs.
Another fear among farmers was that further land in the south-west would be designated for conservation purposes, which would mean severe restrictions on windfarms and other development.
However, Mr O’Keeffe said there was no evidence to show that the eagles posed a threat to lambs.
“In the Isle of Mull, in Scotland, less than 2% of deaths in lambs are attributed to attacks from eagles. In Norway, 3,000 breeding pairs of eagles have co-existed with 100,000 sheep for 30 years, with not a single death attributed to eagles,” he stated.
Tourism groups, conservationists, the Killarney National Park Liaison Committee and Killarney Town Council, which allocated €10,000 to the project, were among the biggest supporters of the reintroduction plan.
Killarney-based Jerry O’Grady, chairman of the White-tailed Eagle Support Group, hit out at “scare- mongering” councillors who opposed the plan, saying their claims were inaccurate.
But Kerry IFA chairman John Stack claimed the introduction of the eagle would result in further designation of land which would have negative effects for the farmers involved.
“Designations will de-value your property and make it more difficult for you to do anything on your property,” he stated.
Meanwhile, some prominent farmers in Kerry have threatened to shoot or poison the eagles when they arrive.
Irish Examiner
Showing posts with label national park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label national park. Show all posts
Monday, 16 April 2007
Saturday, 24 March 2007
Botanical survey of Innisfallen
A botanical survey of the island of Innisfallen on Killarney's lower lake is to be undertaken as part of a study to uncover the significance of its ancient ruins and its rich array of plants, flowers and trees.
The 23-acre island is reputedly where Brian Boru came to study and is where much of the annals of Innisfallen, one of the major sources of early Munster history, were composed. Its reputation as a medieval seat of learning gave its name to the surrounding Lough Léin, or "lake of learning".
However, apart from a brief period as a Victorian picnic spot, some cattle-grazing in the 1930s by local farmers, and an annual Mass, the island has lain undisturbed for centuries.
However, under new moves to improve the cultural heritage experience of visitors to Killarney, Innisfallen is now being targeted for preservation and promotion by a local interest group.
The island contains significant ruins at its northwestern tip, including those of an abbey established in AD 600. There are also the remains of an 11th century church and an Augustinian priory occupied by monks until the 17th century.
Part of Killarney National Park, the island is accessible from Ross Castle. It is managed by both the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Senior architects from the OPW have assessed the ruins and repair work was carried out on the monuments last autumn.
The botanical survey will be conducted by an NPWS steering group set up to explore the island's riches. It will examine curiosities such as a quadruplet tree with holly, ash, hawthorn and ivy all seeming to grow from a single stem. The island is also thought to contain rare herbs, mosses and orchids.
Anne Lucey
© 2007 The Irish Times
The 23-acre island is reputedly where Brian Boru came to study and is where much of the annals of Innisfallen, one of the major sources of early Munster history, were composed. Its reputation as a medieval seat of learning gave its name to the surrounding Lough Léin, or "lake of learning".
However, apart from a brief period as a Victorian picnic spot, some cattle-grazing in the 1930s by local farmers, and an annual Mass, the island has lain undisturbed for centuries.
However, under new moves to improve the cultural heritage experience of visitors to Killarney, Innisfallen is now being targeted for preservation and promotion by a local interest group.
The island contains significant ruins at its northwestern tip, including those of an abbey established in AD 600. There are also the remains of an 11th century church and an Augustinian priory occupied by monks until the 17th century.
Part of Killarney National Park, the island is accessible from Ross Castle. It is managed by both the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Senior architects from the OPW have assessed the ruins and repair work was carried out on the monuments last autumn.
The botanical survey will be conducted by an NPWS steering group set up to explore the island's riches. It will examine curiosities such as a quadruplet tree with holly, ash, hawthorn and ivy all seeming to grow from a single stem. The island is also thought to contain rare herbs, mosses and orchids.
Anne Lucey
© 2007 The Irish Times
Sunday, 4 March 2007
€3.8m visitor centre at Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo
Mr. Dick Roche T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, turned the sod at the site of the new visitor centre for Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo.
Ballycroy National Park was established in 1998 and consists of almost 12,000 hectares of some of the most important blanket bog in Europe. The Owenduff area in the Nephin Mountains, in particular, is a wild and remote area of blanket bog, cliffs and river habitats containing many rare species of plants.
The area is also important as a roosting, feeding and breeding site for certain migratory bird species - including the Greenland White-Fronted Goose. The Golden Eagle - which has been reintroduced to Ireland from Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal - has also been spotted in the National Park in Ballycroy.
The visitor centre is being built under the Government's National Development Plan at a cost of €3.8m. In order to maximise the benefit for the local community, the visitor centre is being built in the village of Ballycroy, rather than in the National Park itself. It will be constructed on a site of 42 hectares overlooking Blacksod Bay.
The new building - measuring some 650 square metres - will include reception and exhibition areas on the ground level, with a tearoom, education area and toilets on the first floor level. A lift will provide access to both floors and to a viewing platform.
Importantly, the visitor centre is being built on the principles of sustainability, for example -
* It will include solar panels for electricity generation;
* It is being built into the hill - thereby providing a high level of insulation and reducing energy needs;
* The building will be heated using ground source heat pumps - and
* The centre will include a rainwater collection system.
Landscaping and walking routes will be provided around the new centre and, in the longer-term, a series of looped walks will be laid out at the National Park itself.
Speaking at the sod turning, Minister Roche said - "The visitor centre for Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo will be a major new attraction for Ballycroy and all of the surrounding communities of North West Mayo. I believe that it will help to attract significant business and employment for the county - in terms of the spin-off from tourism - and will help to raise the profile of the area, both at home and internationally."
Ballycroy National Park was established in 1998 and consists of almost 12,000 hectares of some of the most important blanket bog in Europe. The Owenduff area in the Nephin Mountains, in particular, is a wild and remote area of blanket bog, cliffs and river habitats containing many rare species of plants.
The area is also important as a roosting, feeding and breeding site for certain migratory bird species - including the Greenland White-Fronted Goose. The Golden Eagle - which has been reintroduced to Ireland from Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal - has also been spotted in the National Park in Ballycroy.
The visitor centre is being built under the Government's National Development Plan at a cost of €3.8m. In order to maximise the benefit for the local community, the visitor centre is being built in the village of Ballycroy, rather than in the National Park itself. It will be constructed on a site of 42 hectares overlooking Blacksod Bay.
The new building - measuring some 650 square metres - will include reception and exhibition areas on the ground level, with a tearoom, education area and toilets on the first floor level. A lift will provide access to both floors and to a viewing platform.
Importantly, the visitor centre is being built on the principles of sustainability, for example -
* It will include solar panels for electricity generation;
* It is being built into the hill - thereby providing a high level of insulation and reducing energy needs;
* The building will be heated using ground source heat pumps - and
* The centre will include a rainwater collection system.
Landscaping and walking routes will be provided around the new centre and, in the longer-term, a series of looped walks will be laid out at the National Park itself.
Speaking at the sod turning, Minister Roche said - "The visitor centre for Ballycroy National Park, County Mayo will be a major new attraction for Ballycroy and all of the surrounding communities of North West Mayo. I believe that it will help to attract significant business and employment for the county - in terms of the spin-off from tourism - and will help to raise the profile of the area, both at home and internationally."
Monday, 26 February 2007
No lift-off for Bill Cullen's helipad plan
BESTSELLING author and businessman Bill Cullen (above) has been refused planning permission to keep a landing pad for a helicopter at his property in the heart of Killarney National Park.
However, he has been granted permission for other structures there, including a large house.
An Taisce had said permission for a helipad should not be granted and planners at Kerry County Council said a helipad would adversely affect the natural environment and interfere with the character of the area.
Glencullen Properties Ltd, owned by Mr Cullen, had sought retention permission for the helipad, along with tennis court and landscaping at Killegy Upper, a prime special amenity area between Mangerton and Torc Mountains.
The application was also for retention of a large house and cottage with a total floor area of 691 square metres.
A separate application is seeking retention for works to apartments at the nearby Muckross Park Hotel which is also owned by Mr Cullen and his partner Jackie Lavin.
An Taisce , the national trust for Ireland, had submitted the location in the 12.6 hectare property was not a suitable location for a helicopter landing pad, because of its location .
"The main function of a national park is the conservation of nature and noise disturbance landing and taking off would cause disturbance to the wildlife," Dr Catherine McMullin, honorary planning officer said.
An Taisce also said any unauthorised large scale works "may need to be removed".
"The existing main house and associated guesthouse make up a very large structure which is visible from a public walkway through the nearby woodland which is part of the Killarney National Park. Any unauthorised building may need to be removed and the existing landscape and planting must be supplemented," Dr McMullin said.
The council has granted permission for the houses, subject to conditions.
The National Parks and Wildlife Office which governs the Killarney National Park were notified by the county council and asked for their comments, but did not make any submission.
There is still time to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
© Irish Independent
However, he has been granted permission for other structures there, including a large house.
An Taisce had said permission for a helipad should not be granted and planners at Kerry County Council said a helipad would adversely affect the natural environment and interfere with the character of the area.
Glencullen Properties Ltd, owned by Mr Cullen, had sought retention permission for the helipad, along with tennis court and landscaping at Killegy Upper, a prime special amenity area between Mangerton and Torc Mountains.
The application was also for retention of a large house and cottage with a total floor area of 691 square metres.
A separate application is seeking retention for works to apartments at the nearby Muckross Park Hotel which is also owned by Mr Cullen and his partner Jackie Lavin.
An Taisce , the national trust for Ireland, had submitted the location in the 12.6 hectare property was not a suitable location for a helicopter landing pad, because of its location .
"The main function of a national park is the conservation of nature and noise disturbance landing and taking off would cause disturbance to the wildlife," Dr Catherine McMullin, honorary planning officer said.
An Taisce also said any unauthorised large scale works "may need to be removed".
"The existing main house and associated guesthouse make up a very large structure which is visible from a public walkway through the nearby woodland which is part of the Killarney National Park. Any unauthorised building may need to be removed and the existing landscape and planting must be supplemented," Dr McMullin said.
The council has granted permission for the houses, subject to conditions.
The National Parks and Wildlife Office which governs the Killarney National Park were notified by the county council and asked for their comments, but did not make any submission.
There is still time to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
© Irish Independent
Tuesday, 2 January 2007
Minister Roche announces significant new land acquisition at Glendalough for Wicklow Mountains National Park
Mr. Dick Roche TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (2nd January '07) announced a significant new land acquisition for Wicklow Mountains National Park at Glendalough.
The area in question comprises three plots totalling some 19 hectares (47 acres). The area includes land along the lower lake at Glendalough where the National Parks and Wildlife Service has already provided extensive wheelchair-accessible boardwalking. Importantly, the land includes the area around the famous round tower monastic site and secures access to the National Monument at Our Lady's Church. These lands form part of the classic views of Glendalough and include arguably the most popular and most photographed vantage point for the round tower. The lands also include a section of St Kevin's Road and a number of other monuments such as the Seven Fonts (a large bullaun stone).
Welcoming the acquisition, the Minister said "I am delighted with this acquisition, which will enhance our ability to protect and conserve some of Ireland's most important and best-loved national monuments for posterity. These lands will now become incorporated into Wicklow Mountains National Park, consolidating the land holding around the Lower Lake. I am very proud to have made a second significant acquisition for the National Park this year after the acquisition of some 648 hectares (1,600 acres) at Luggala last March, which joined the two main sections of the National Park for the first time."
The area in question comprises three plots totalling some 19 hectares (47 acres). The area includes land along the lower lake at Glendalough where the National Parks and Wildlife Service has already provided extensive wheelchair-accessible boardwalking. Importantly, the land includes the area around the famous round tower monastic site and secures access to the National Monument at Our Lady's Church. These lands form part of the classic views of Glendalough and include arguably the most popular and most photographed vantage point for the round tower. The lands also include a section of St Kevin's Road and a number of other monuments such as the Seven Fonts (a large bullaun stone).
Welcoming the acquisition, the Minister said "I am delighted with this acquisition, which will enhance our ability to protect and conserve some of Ireland's most important and best-loved national monuments for posterity. These lands will now become incorporated into Wicklow Mountains National Park, consolidating the land holding around the Lower Lake. I am very proud to have made a second significant acquisition for the National Park this year after the acquisition of some 648 hectares (1,600 acres) at Luggala last March, which joined the two main sections of the National Park for the first time."
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