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Chamber welcomes two-year strategy for NPWS

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The President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has welcomed the new two-year strategic action plan for the restructuring of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Niall Kelleher said, the plan contains a number of positive initiatives and innovative proposals that will be of enormous benefit to Killarney National Park.

He said the plan, which follows detailed independent reviews, features a timeline to implement a number of recommendations to make the NPWS a more resilient and effective executive agency capable of meeting the many challenges of the 21st century.

“The NPWS has a crucial role to play in Killarney with a very complex range of responsibilities, including the implementing of policies, conservation, enforcement, licensing, biodiversity, scientific advice and planning. The protection, conservation and, following the recent wildfires, restoration of the park is imperative and for the challenges to be properly met, the NPWS needs to be adequately structured, staffed and equipped,” Mr Kelleher said.

He noted that, as the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, have stressed, the comprehensive internal redesign of the NPWS will result in a much stronger focus on customer service, outcomes and delivery for the public as well as more structured engagement with NPWS stakeholders.

Mr Kelleher said the fact that there will be a substantial €55 million investment in the implementation of the new plan indicates the absolute importance the Government is affording to the development and protection of the National Parks.

“I particularly welcome the fact that 60 new full-time jobs will be created immediately in the NPWS with the recruitment of conservation rangers and general operatives. It is equally encouraging that there is a longer-term plan to double the 400 staff currently employed by the service to meet future Irish and European biodiversity targets,” he said.

The Government is determined to have more NPWS staff available to work closely with communities, farmers and other stakeholders and to be in a position to cater for rapidly expanding visitor numbers.

The Chamber President acknowledged that there has been a significant investment in the provision of additional car parking and enhancement of established trails and walkways in Killarney National Park in recent years. He said specific funding must also be provided for the management of the deer population and the control of invasive species, such as rhododendron, and to help improve biodiversity in the large area of the 26,000-acre park damaged by the devastating wildfires.

He added the provision of education and outreach programmes to heighten awareness around biodiversity and to promote sustainable tourism was also a key objective that must be met.

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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

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Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.

Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.

This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.

Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”

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