About Killarney National Park


Killarney National Park is a unique and special place. It was Ireland's first National Park and came into being in 1932 when the Muckross Estate (the core of the present day National Park) was The Upper Lake and the Long Range (photo Mike Sandover) presented to the Nation by Senator Arthur Vincent and his parents-in-law Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn, in memory of his late wife Maud.

Situated in south-west Ireland, close to the most westerly point in Europe, the National Park covers over 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) of mountain, moorland, woodland, waterways, parks and gardens. A major geological boundary occurs within the Park, and this, in combination with the climatic influence of the gulf stream and the wide range of altitudes in the Park, gives rise to an unusual and varied ecology.

The mountainous old red sandstone uplands support large areas of blanket bog, and the remoteness and relative inaccessibility of some of these areas aids the continued survival of Ireland's only remaining wild herd of native Red Deer. In addition to this, the largest area of old-growth Oakwoods left in the country can be found on some of the lower mountain slopes, a remnant of the woodland that once covered much of Ireland.

The lowland limestone areas of the National Park also boast some rare habitats, notably a large stand of pure Yew woodland at Reenadinna on the Muckross Peninsula, which is thought to be one of only three pure Yew woods in Europe. Other significant woodlands include several large areas of swamp woodland (carr) on the shores of Lough Leane, which provide an important refuge for wildlife.The shores of Muckross Lake, with Shehy mountain in the background (photo Mike Sandover)

Central to Killarney National Park however are its three lakes, all inter-linked but quite different in their respective characters. The lakes support a large population of Brown Trout, as well as an annual run of Salmon, and sport angling has been a popular pastime for generations in Killarney. Noteworthy fish species include the Arctic Char and Killarney Shad.

In addition to all the mammal and fish life one would expect in an area such as this, the Park boasts a wealth of bird life, including migrant Greenland White-fronted Geese, which spend the winter months on some of the bogs in the area. Several unusual invertebrate species are also to be found in the Killarney valley, such as the Northern Emerald Dragonfly, which is found nowhere else in the country. Noteworthy plant species include the Strawberry Tree and the insectivorous Greater Butterwort.

Human history has also left its mark in the Killarney area, and the well preserved remains of Inisfallen Abbey, a monastic settlement which was founded in the 7th century and inhabited until the 14th century, still stand on an island in Lough Leane (meaning 'Lake of Learning'). Muckross Abbey (founded in about 1448) is also still standing, the central feature of which is a vaulted cloister around a courtyard which contains a huge Yew tree, traditionally said to be as old as the abbey itself. Muckross House, the ancestral home of the Herbert family, is at the core of the National Park, and is open to visitors all year round. In the same area is the Muckross Traditional Farming Project, a re-creation of rural Ireland prior to electrification.

The old boathouse at Dundag (photo Mike Sandover)An additional human influence on the area is that of several past introductions of exotic species that have impacted on the natural ecosystems of Killarney. The most notable of these introduced species are Common Rhododendron which has infested large areas of the National Park, and Sika Deer which overgraze the woodland floor and pose a potential threat to the genetic integrity of the native Red Deer. Both Rhododendron and Sika Deer can have an adverse effect on the native flora by inhibiting regeneration. A more recent (and accidental) introduction is that of the American Mink, which is now firmly established in the Park alongside the native Otter. Extinctions inflicted by humans include that of the Wolf and the Golden Eagle, which was relatively common even up until the latter half of the last century.

Killarney National Park faces many conservation and management challenges, including its proximity to a major tourist town. Killarney is one of Ireland's best known tourist destinations, and it caters for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, most of whom spend at least a part of their stay within the National Park.

Careful management is needed to ensure that there is minimal conflict between the joint objectives of conservation and recreation. Dúchas, The Heritage Service, is the body responsible for the administration and management of National Parks in Ireland. Park Rangers are employed to facilitate the day to day running of the Park, to monitor the flora, fauna and habitats within the National Park, and to undertake projects which will assist the survival of so much wild nature. In recognition of the status of Killarney National Park, it was designated in 1981 by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, part of a global network of natural areas with conservation, research, education and training as their major objectives.

Killarney National Park Education Centre was established to fulfill an educational role within the National Park and as such it caters for a wide variety of groups and individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Its ethos is not to put forward a message of conservation as such but rather to allow people to experience some of the natural aspects of the park and conduct scientific studies where appropriate. By presenting information and providing experiences in such a way it is hoped that individuals will be made more aware of their natural environment and will be encouraged to make up their own minds about environmental and conservation issues. Hostel and camping accommodation is available for groups visiting the National Park for educational purposes and field activities.

 



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Killarney National Park
Introduction ~ Photo Gallery ~ What's Happening? ~ History ~ Noteworthy Species ~ Bird life ~ Red Deer ~ Lakes ~ Muckross House ~ Oakwoods ~ Yew Wood ~ Park Rangers ~ Rhododendron ~ Cultural Heritage ~ Visiting the Park ~ Killarney Town

Killarney National Park Education Centre
Introduction ~ Recent Visits ~ Staff ~ Primary Schools ~ Post-primary Schools ~ Third Level Groups ~ Tour Groups ~ Youth Groups ~ Accommodation ~ Cappanalea

Other Irish National Parks
Burren ~ Connemara ~ Glenveagh ~ Mayo ~ Wicklow Mountains

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