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EARLIER this year, Killarney Advertiser turned a spotlight on the scourge of rhododendron in Killarney National Park. It’s an issue that has sparked concern and breast-beating for decades. Of course, action speaks louder than words and it was refreshing to see a group of colleagues from Marks & Spencer, Killarney, join forces to try to help address the problem as part of a workplace initiative.

These volunteers donned their overalls and headed for Killarney National Park as part of the store’s Make it Matter plan, which aims to support communities across Ireland and the UK and help people live happier, healthier lives.

The M&S Killarney team signed up for the Mountain Meitheal, which undertakes projects to protect and conserve mountain and forest areas in Ireland. To begin, four different M&S Killarney staff members over the course of a week volunteered their time to remove rhododendron pods encroaching on other native plants thus killing flowers, helping to maintain sites throughout Killarney National Park.

Tim Cahalane, Rhododendron Eradication Programme Manager at Killarney National Park, said: “Killarney National Park runs a year-round conservation maintenance programme preventing the highly invasive rhododendron ponticum from becoming re-established on important woodland and moorland habitats. Volunteers play a vital role in this project and we would like to thank the staff from Marks & Spencer for choosing to pledge their volunteer hours to this important task.”

In addition to this, over 10 staff from M&S Killarney dedicated their time to paint and redecorate Fossa Community Centre, turning it into what Eileen Lucey of the centre described as “a sanctuary for local people to enjoy”.

Paul Daly, Store Manager at M&S Killarney, said: “We believe that lots of the small actions from lots of people can collectively have a huge impact on a community. Our park is our national heritage and we are committed to ensuring its standards remain high. We’re also delighted to help the community centre and brighten up a space that is used by many local people.”
 

 
Above: Mairead Buckley, Laura Coffey, Aine McCarthy and Claire Looney.