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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
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Youth Groups
Accommodation
Cappanalea

Other Irish National Parks
Burren
Connemara
Glenveagh
Mayo
Wicklow Mountains

Dúchas, The Heritage Service

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Rhododendron Infestation

The introduction of the common Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) to the Killarney area has had a devastating effect on some areas of the National Park. Rhododendron appears in Ireland's fossil record but died out due to climate change many thousands of years ago. When it was re-introduced from south-eastern Europe during the last century it rapidly took hold, and it appears that the climate and soils of Killarney suit it perfectly.

Rhododendron infestation on the slopes of Shehy mountain (photo Paudie O'Leary) An attractive blossom, but a serious threat to the ecology of parts of the National Park (photo Mike Sandover)

It is now rampant and invasive, and upwards of 650 hectares of National The aftermath of Rhododendron infestation (photo Mike Sandover)Park land are completely infested. Light cannot penetrate the dense thickets of Rhododendron, with the result that very few plants can survive beneath it and even the mighty Oakwoods are in long-term danger as they cannot regenerate. Rhododendron infestation has been described simply as "perhaps the biggest conservation challenge facing the National Park".

The Park therefore implements a policy of control and eradication, although any efforts to remove it are highly labour intensive, and therefore costly. Efforts to bring the problem under control are assisted by voluntary workers during the Summer months. These workers are accommodated in the Park's private hostel and usually stay for a week at a stretch, travelling out to the work-site daily (generally a boat trip and a further walk) and returning in the evening before a bit of rest and relaxation! These efforts are co-ordinated by Groundwork, an independent organisation which is involved in many voluntary conservation projects throughout Ireland. Further details can be obtained by contacting Groundwork at:

Groundwork,
107 Lower Baggot Street,
Dublin 2.
E-mail grndwork@iwt.ie
To visit the Groundwork website click here




Home

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

Links