Junior Rangers explore historic Glaisín na Marbh site

Members of the Killarney National Park Junior Ranger+ programme completed a hike into Glaisín na Marbh last weekend to mark European Youth in the Park Day

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The trek into one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the National Park launched the group’s third season. Located on the lower slopes of Shehy Mountain in the western section of the park, Glaisín na Marbh features ancient oak woodland that has remained continuously wooded for approximately 9,000 years since the last ice age.
Participants navigated mountain terrain and blanket bog during the hike. Park staff covered key conservation topics with the group, including peatland protection, vegetation monitoring, grazing pressure management, and invasive rhododendron control.
The group visited deserted settlements within the woodland that were inhabited up to the Famine of the 1840s and 1850s. The site takes its name—which translates to “little stream of the dead”—from a Famine-era burial ground located within the woods.
During the visit, the Junior Rangers also inspected “The Great Alder,” an ancient tree situated deep in the valley that stands as the largest of three historic alders growing in the area.

St Michael’s Church in Killorglin hosted an evening with renowned Irish artist Liam O’Neill and former Kerry TD Brendan Griffin, raising vital funds for Kiltallagh National School.

The special community event brought together art lovers, local families, and school supporters for an insightful discussion featuring the acclaimed Dingle peninsula painter.

Griffin led the conversation with O’Neill, exploring his celebrated career, artistic inspirations, and his distinctive palette-knife technique depicting rural Irish landscapes and heritage.

All proceeds raised from ticket sales and donations on the night go directly toward supporting educational initiatives and facilities at Kiltallagh National School in Castlemaine.