The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has acquired lands near Derrycunnihy Church in Killarney National Park.

LANDS: The NPWS has acquired lands close to Derrycunnihy Church an important architectural feature within Killarney National Park. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

LANDS: The NPWS has acquired lands close to Derrycunnihy Church an important architectural feature within Killarney National Park. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

The acquisition consists of over 70 hectares at Derrycunnihy, a site completely surrounded by Killarney National Park lands.

It is a hugely important addition to the Park as it is an area of high conservation and ecological value, and all of the lands are part of a European site of nature conservation, MacGillycuddy Reeks and Killarney National Park SAC.

The habitat there consists of dry heath, oak woodlands, pockets of blanket bog and an oligotrophic lake, a true reflection of what lands in a National Park should be.

These lands are close to Derrycunnihy Church, an important architectural feature within Killarney National Park.

This iconic structure, one of the most beautifully situated, scenic churches in Ireland, has recently undergone conservation works and is home to a number of protected species including the lesser horseshoe bat.