News
White Tailed Sea Eagles released into Killarney National Park

By Sean Moriarty
Four White-tailed Eagle chicks have been released into the wild in Killarney National Park.

RELEASE: An Taoiseach Micheál Martin witnessed the release of the White-tailed Eagle chicks on Friday at the release site in Tarbert Estuary with Danny O'Keeffe (Conservation Ranger National Parks and Wildlife Services) Clare Heardman (Conservation Ranger NPWS) Liam Lenihan (Conservation Ranger NPWS) Eamonn Meskell (Regional Manager Southern Division NPWS) and Philip Buckley Jr (Conservation Ranger NPWS.) Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

RELEASE: An Taoiseach Micheál Martin witnessed the release of the White-tailed Eagle chicks on Friday at the release site in Tarbert Estuary with Danny O'Keeffe (Conservation Ranger National Parks and Wildlife Services) Clare Heardman (Conservation Ranger NPWS) Liam Lenihan (Conservation Ranger NPWS) Eamonn Meskell (Regional Manager Southern Division NPWS) and Philip Buckley Jr (Conservation Ranger NPWS.) Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan
The National Park is one of three locations in Munster as well as Lough Derg and the lower Shannon Estuary where a total of 16 of the once extinct in Ireland birds have been released in recent days.
On Friday last, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin was in Tarbert where a number of eagles were released into the wild as part of a project to re-establish a population of this iconic species in Ireland.
This was followed by a further release today (Tuesday) in Killarney National Park by the Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, TD, accompanied by the Norwegian Ambassador, Mari Skåre.
Also in attendance were a group of visiting Norwegians who were responsible for the collection of the eagle nestlings in Norway earlier this year.
These white-tailed Eagle chicks arrived in Kerry Airport last month as part of a long-term wildlife reintroduction project.
The four eagle chicks brought to Killarney National Park have been held in special aviaries in a remote part of the Park where they have been carefully looked after by National Parks and Wildlife Service staff.
“It has been wonderful to watch the release of the magnificent White Tail Eagles collected in Norway. The friendship between the people of Norway and the people of Ireland runs deep. The eagles we see fly free and strong in their natural habitat here today are spreading their wings as a result of the voluntary work of so many,” said Ambassador Skåre.
“Biodiversity is essential for all life on Earth. Yet we are seeing an extremely rapid loss of species world-wide. Through joint efforts we can halt this decline.”
As in previous years, the young eagles were collected under licence in Norway by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and co-workers. All the birds were fitted with satellite tags in Ireland to enable their progress to be followed and their integration into the existing Irish breeding population monitored.
One of the first pairs of White-tailed Eagles to breed in Ireland was in Killarney National Park in 2013 and the pair have remained in the Park since, once again fledging a chick this year. Their nest is in a tree on an inaccessible cliff, but visitors may be lucky and catch a glimpse of the eagles soaring over the mountains or catching fish in one of the Park’s many lakes.
As they mature, these chicks will join and strengthen the small Irish breeding population that has become established since the reintroduction programme began in 2007. So far, 47 young eagles from Norway have been released over the last two years.

News
Last chance to enter Spa GAA’s fundraising draw
By Sean Moriarty There is just less than one week left to enter Spa GAA’s fundraising raffle. The ‘Cairde Spa’ draw takes place on Thursday night (February 2) the Spa’s […]

By Sean Moriarty
There is just less than one week left to enter Spa GAA’s fundraising raffle.
The ‘Cairde Spa’ draw takes place on Thursday night (February 2) the Spa’s clubhouse at 7pm.
Funds raised will go towards the upgrade and development works planned over the next few years.
Guest of honour on the night is national GAA president Larry McCarthy and the Sam Maguire Cup will make an appearance too.
“Apart from ongoing and essential maintenance work, the club has a number of development projects in the pipeline. The money is being raised towards improving our grounds to provide top class facilities that can be used year-round, including car parking, perimeter fencing for pitches, ladies and juveniles dressing rooms, outdoor skills wall, player dug outs for senior and juvenile pitches, safety enhancements and lighting on the walking track, landscaping, scoreboard, viewing gallery to the sports hall, alignment of entrance to the grounds and a remembrance garden,” said Michael Cronin, Club Chairman.
“We are calling on everyone to get behind the fundraiser. Our vision is to provide top class grounds and facilities where everyone is welcome to use and participate fully in our activities, games and culture. In order to achieve this vision, we are setting out exciting new developments and investments in our facilities – and we need your support.”
There are 10 prizes up for grabs: 1st Prize: €15,000, 2nd Prize: €3,000, 3rd Prize: €2,000, 4th Prize: €1,000, 5th Prize: Two nights dinner and B&B at the Killarney Park Hotel, 6th Prize: €500 Voucher for Killarney Carpets & Furniture, 7th Prize: €300 Voucher for O’Sullivan’s Cycles, 8th Prize: €250 Voucher for Killarney Oils, 9th Prize: €150 Voucher for Killarney Hardware and 10th Prize: A signed Kerry jersey.
Tickets are €100 each and can be collected/returned at the clubhouse this Saturday (10.30am-12noon), Monday (7-8pm) or Wednesday (7-8pm), and tickets are also available online on spagaa.com.
Any queries contact Andy (087 2236754), Michael (085 8213027), Assumpta (087 6779292) or Deirdre (085 1216359) or any Club Officers.
News
Marian Players excited to get back on stage
By Michelle Crean With a cast of over 50 it’s no small undertaking – but that won’t deter one panto group who are only too happy to get back on […]

By Michelle Crean
With a cast of over 50 it’s no small undertaking – but that won’t deter one panto group who are only too happy to get back on stage this weekend.
It’s been two years since they staged a show due to COVID but the Marian Players Rathmore are rearing to go tomorrow night (Saturday) with their hilarious show ‘Dame Annie Goes West’.
A medley of comedy and colour, combined with music and dance, locals from both sides of the border have been working together to make it a great production.
“We’re very excited, we can’t wait! It’s great to be back,” Mary Hickey told the Killarney Advertiser.
“They [the cast] got together in October and they’re at it since.”
Val Moynihan is the “genius behind it”, she added, and it’s produced by her son Brian Hickey, and co-written with Eilish Coakley.
She said that they have loads working in the background also doing the stage curtains, lighting and making costumes amongst other tasks.
“It’s a pantomime without the pantomime in the background! It’s a whole community effort both sides of the border.”
Evening shows start at 7.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) and again Sunday (January 29) at 3pm.
Mid-week shows continue on Wednesday next (February 1) at 7.30pm, Thursday (February 2) at 7.30pm and also Saturday (February 4) at 7.30pm and Sunday (February 5) at 3pm.
The booking office (085 2031730) will be open every day from 2pm to 6pm to reserve seats and collect tickets and is located adjacent to the community centre, next to Christy’s Take Away.
Seats may be reserved over the phone too and paid for using a bank card. All proceeds are going to Kerry Parents & Friends Association.
-
Sport2 weeks ago
Are they the best or are they simply the biggest? Fitzgerald’s research is helping Kerry to identify young talent
-
News1 week ago
Man dies in construction accident in Muckross
-
Sport2 weeks ago
McGrath Cup form indicates that Kerry have plenty of work to do
-
Sport1 week ago
Exclusive: Paudie Clifford reflects on “emotional” All-Ireland Junior Club final