Killarney Mountain Meitheal volunteers profiled in the short documentary film ‘Hatchets & Hope’ are featuring on cinema screens around the world.

VOLUNTEER: Maureen Hegarty of Killarney Mountain Meitheal uses the stem treatment method to eradicate Rhododendron.

The five-minute film introduces the Killarney Mountain Meitheal, an intergenerational group of volunteers in Killarney and has been shortlisted for a number of high-profile film festivals.

Each week they hike out to protect some of Ireland’s last surviving woodland forests and rare ecosystems from the alarming spread of the invasive plant Rhododendron ponticum.

Despite its beautiful purple flower, the infestation of this strain of rhododendron is lethal to the local biodiversity.

With the spectacular backdrop of the mountains of south Kerry, the film shows the community working to eradicate these exotic plants and stop their advance.

This inspiring film is about camaraderie, commitment, and the astounding results a small group of passionate nature lovers have achieved.

Aoibheann O’Sullivan, whose parents are from Killarney, is an award-winning film-maker who lives in Kenya.
She found herself stuck in Killarney at the start of the pandemic, and joined the ‘Meithal’ group who clear rhododendron in Killarney National Park.

"It is wonderful to see the important work of the Killarney Mountain Meitheal getting worldwide attention. It shows the profound impact a small group of committed people can make. We need more inspiring stories like this to show that action instead of anxiety is going to fix our relationship with nature,” she told the Killarney Advertiser.

Last October the film had its premiere at the 2021 Kerry International Film Festival and is now screening at some well-regarded film festivals such as the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival in New York, Sustainable Stories Film Fest in Texas, and the Irish Film Festival London.

The film was made possible with the support of the South Kerry Development Partnership (SKDP) and EU LEADER funding.

If you would like to join the Killarney Mountain Meitheal, or find out more, please contact them on info@killarneymountainmeitheal.com.