News
White-tailed Eagle chicks fledge in Killarney National Park
Two White-tailed Eagle Chicks have just fledged the nest on Lough Lein, Killarney National Park. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan/FREE PIC/NPWS Killarney National Park will always be a special place for the White-tailed Eagle, when the reintroduction programme began in the Park in 2007. The resident adult pair of White-tailed Eagles on Lough Lein, has successfully bred and fledged chicks for five consecutive years in a row! This week two juvenile chicks fledged the nest, and are finding their bearings along the shoreline, before embarking on their journey. A total of 245 chicks were reintroduced, between 2007and 2025, they have dispersed widely throughout Ireland with the first successful breeding occurring in 2012 on Lough Derg. It is estimated there are now approximately 150 individual eagles in the wild Ireland, enough to maintain and self-sustain the population. So far in 2026, the exact number of chicks born in the wild is unknown, but there are 17 known pairs in total. This is a tribute to the management and staff of NPWS lead by Eamonn Meskell and their colleagues in the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Over 19 years work and collaboration has led to a growing white-tailed eagle population and also has seen habitat restoration and engagement with landowners and farmers to secure the eagles ongoing protection. NPWS and Killarney National Park are always grateful for the help and co-operation of the local Anglers, commercial Boatmen and tourist interests in the town for keeping an ‘eagle eye’ on the precious eagles.
White-tailed Eagle chicks fledge in Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park will always be a special place for the White-tailed Eagle, when the reintroduction programme began in the Park in 2007.
The resident adult pair of White-tailed Eagles on Lough Lein, has successfully bred and fledged chicks for five consecutive years in a row!
This week two juvenile chicks fledged the nest, and are finding their bearings along the shoreline, before embarking on their journey.
A total of 245 chicks were reintroduced, between 2007and 2025, they have dispersed widely throughout Ireland with the first successful breeding occurring in 2012 on Lough Derg.
It is estimated there are now approximately 150 individual eagles in the wild Ireland, enough to maintain and self-sustain the population.
So far in 2026, the exact number of chicks born in the wild is unknown, but there are 17 known pairs in total.
This is a tribute to the management and staff of NPWS lead by Eamonn Meskell and their colleagues in the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Over 19 years work and collaboration has led to a growing white-tailed eagle population and also has seen habitat restoration and engagement with landowners and farmers to secure the eagles ongoing protection.
NPWS and Killarney National Park are always grateful for the help and co-operation of the local Anglers, commercial Boatmen and tourist interests in the town for keeping an ‘eagle eye’ on the precious eagles.
Words and photos by Valerie O'Sullivan
The resident pair of White-tailed Eagles on Lough Léin has successfully fledged two new chicks for the fifth year in a row.
Killarney National Park will always be a special place for the White-tailed Eagle, when the reintroduction programme began in the Park in 2007.
The resident adult pair of White-tailed Eagles on Lough Lein, has successfully bred and fledged chicks for five consecutive years in a row!
This week two juvenile chicks fledged the nest, and are finding their bearings along the shoreline, before embarking on their journey.
A total of 245 chicks were reintroduced, between 2007and 2025, they have dispersed widely throughout Ireland with the first successful breeding occurring in 2012 on Lough Derg.
It is estimated there are now approximately 150 individual eagles in the wild Ireland, enough to maintain and self-sustain the population.
So far in 2026, the exact number of chicks born in the wild is unknown, but there are 17 known pairs in total.
This is a tribute to the management and staff of NPWS lead by Eamonn Meskell and their colleagues in the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Over 19 years work and collaboration has led to a growing white-tailed eagle population and also has seen habitat restoration and engagement with landowners and farmers to secure the eagles ongoing protection.
NPWS and Killarney National Park are always grateful for the help and co-operation of the local Anglers, commercial Boatmen and tourist interests in the town for keeping an ‘eagle eye’ on the precious eagles.
The two young eagles left the nest this week and are now along the shoreline as they prepare to take flight further afield.
The successful fledging marks 19 years of conservation work led by Eamonn Meskell and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), alongside the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. A total of 245 chicks were reintroduced to Ireland between 2007 and 2025.
There are now roughly 150 White-tailed Eagles in the wild across Ireland, creating a self-sustaining population. While the total number of wild births for 2026 is still being tracked, 17 breeding pairs have been recorded nationwide this year.
NPWS and Killarney National Park staff expressed their thanks to local anglers, boatmen, and tourism operators for keeping an "eagle eye" on the birds and supporting their ongoing protection.
BREAKING: Move finally underway at new Killarney Community Nursing Unit
The HSE has confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser that the long-awaited move to the new Killarney Community Nursing Unit is officially underway.
Earlier today, HSE staff began transferring resident belongings and medical equipment into the newly built multimillion-euro facility on Lewis Road. The phased relocation of residents from St Columbanus Home and Killarney District Hospital will take place over the coming days, with the first residents expected to be settled into the new hospital by the end of this week.
This development marks a major step forward for the facility after a long series of false starts, including a recently missed target date of Monday, August 10.
In a statement issued today, the HSE confirmed the commencement of the transfer and outlined the scale of the operation.
“HSE South West is this week beginning the process of moving to Killarney Community Nursing Unit, on a phased basis,” the statement read. “This is a significant logistical operation, involving the move of a significant number of residents with varying levels of needs. There are a number of factors which will affect how long the move will take, however we are working to move all residents safely and in the shortest possible timeframe.”
Private dog park to open near Gap of Dunloe
Killarney and its surrounding areas are set to gain a long-awaited dog park, though the new facility will be a privately operated venture rather than a municipal amenity.
Located in the Gap of Dunloe near Kate Kearney’s Cottage (Eircode V93 K7N2), the enclosed park has been designed to provide a safe space for dogs to run freely.
Co-owner Declan Casey said that the facility will cater to both open socialising and private bookings, allowing owners of nervous dogs or restricted breeds to reserve the space exclusively for hour-long sessions.
The private initiative comes after repeated calls for a public dog park in the area over recent years. In May 2021, Councillor Brendan Cronin put forward a motion requesting that the Municipal District build a facility in town, citing a similar successful scheme in Lucan, County Dublin.
At the time, council officials noted that while the project had merit, local authority land was unavailable and discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service would be required.
The issue was raised again in January 2023 by Councillor John O’Donoghue, who highlighted the growing number of dog-friendly local businesses and the rising demand for dedicated space. However, Kerry County Council stated it had no plans to construct a public facility due to challenges around funding, location, and ongoing maintenance.
BREAKING: Move finally underway at new Killarney Community Nursing Unit
BREAKING: Move finally underway at new Killarney Community Nursing Unit The HSE has confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser that the...
Private dog park to open near Gap of Dunloe
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