Páirc Naíciunta na Mara, Co. Chiarai – Ireland’s first marine national park includes the Conner Pass, as well as new sites on the Inch Peninsula, Mt Brandon and the River Owenmore.
The establishment of Ireland’s first marine national park was confirmed on Monday 22 April by Minister Malcolm Noonan, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Minister Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Minister. Kieran O’Donnell TD, Secretary of State for Public Works.
The new pair, centered on Corca Dhuibne on the Isle of Kerry, celebrates nature across 70,000 acres of land and sea, uniting some of Europe’s most ecologically valuable sites, according to Public Works Ireland. It is said that it will be done.
This will combine new National Parks and Wildlife Service acquisitions, such as Conner Pass, the Owenmore River basin, Mt Brandon land, and the Inch Peninsula dune system, with areas already in state ownership, such as limestone. ing. Kelly Head Shoal coral reef and waters around the Blasket Islands.
Cabinet ministers and local Education Minister Norma Foley have confirmed that Pairc’s heritage will be strengthened by including the globally significant UNESCO World Heritage Site of Seirg Mihir’s Great Blasket Island estate, Derrynane House, historic park and beach. announced that it would be further strengthened. These are managed by the OPW.
Further collaboration with Birdwatch Ireland, which manages Little Skellig and Puffin Island, and the Irish Rights Commission, which manages Tiaracht Nature Reserve, will ensure that these internationally significant seabird sites are also an integral part of Pairc. is guaranteed to be.
Today we welcome Ireland’s first marine national park and eighth national park, Parc Naísíunta na Mara, Siarai.
The pair includes the Conner Pass, as well as new sites on the Inch Peninsula, Mt Brandon and the Owenmore River in County Kerry. pic.twitter.com/1RauCCphn0
— Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (@DeptHousingIRL) April 22, 2024
Minister Noonan said at a presentation held in An Desi An on Monday: “With the iconic Conner Pass as its gateway, Ireland’s first marine national park offers mountains, sweeping marshes, heather, rivers, coastal dunes, limestone reefs, sea cliffs and some wild… We celebrate nature by bringing together some of the country’s most rugged land and seascapes.
“Alongside its seven sister parks, Parik Naiciunta na Mara, Chalay will become a flagship for the protection and restoration of these amazing places and the array of globally important wildlife they inhabit. .
“Pairc also pays homage to the island and the coastal communities that live next door by ensuring that its unique tapestry of cultural and natural heritage is central to the future story of this special place. ”
I am very proud to be able to officially announce this today with the Minister. @DarraghOBrienTD, Ireland’s eighth and largest national park: Páirc Naisiunta na Mara, Challai. With Conner Pass as the gateway, our first marine national park will ensure this iconic site is protected for future generations. pic.twitter.com/wUPVPPDfyc
— Malcolm Noonan TD (@noonan_malcolm) April 22, 2024
Minister O’Brien said: “Bringing the Conner Pass and Inch lands into public ownership has enabled the creation of Ireland’s first ever great marine national park.” This is a key promise in government programs, and today’s announcement delivers on that promise. The plan has been years in the making, but has been made possible in recent years by new government support for the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
minister @DarraghOBrienTD I was in Kerry this morning for the unveiling of Ireland’s first marine national park. Parc Naiciunta na Mara is dedicated to the protection and restoration of internationally important biodiversity and archaeological heritage. @NPWSIreland @opwireland pic.twitter.com/Kd85S0Swnd
— Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (@DeptHousingIRL) April 22, 2024
Ireland’s OPW said the region’s landscapes, islands and seas were of great importance for biodiversity.
Starting with the majestic highlands of Mt Brandon and Conner Pass, you’ll find active blanket moors and heather with famous alpine flora and a valuable habitat for peregrine falcons, otters and black-tailed fritillary fritillary. Among them is the pristine Owenmore River, one of the last remaining reserves for freshwater pearl oysters.
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Mt Brandon. (Irish content pool)
On the coast you can see some of Europe’s most beautiful sand dunes, home to the natterjack toad. Then head out to sea and encounter shallow bays that are important breeding grounds for sharks and rays. and biologically rich marine limestone reef systems.
Home to entire populations of rare and endangered seabirds such as puffins, storm petrels, gannets and toucans, as well as unique communities of lichens and other plants, the islands speak for themselves.
Likewise, the cultural and archaeological value of the area cannot be overstated. An island of global importance and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Seyrig Misir is the heart of Pairak’s cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, the sea that surrounds it was a shipping route in the past and the final resting place of many historic shipwrecks. These include the Spanish Armada Santa Maria de la Rosa, lost off the coast of Blasket Bay in 1588.
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Skellig Michael. (Irish content pool)
On the mainland, Pairaku landscapes record the history of settlement in the area, including archaeological monuments and the people who carved the Ogham script on the ancient standing stones of Mt Brandon’s Araglen National Monument. , where traces of people have remained for thousands of years.
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Minister O’Donnell said: “As Minister of Public Works, I can confirm that the OPW-managed properties at Sharig Michiru, An Blaskaod Mall, Derrynan House, the Historic Park and the Beach are essential to Páirc Naiciunta na Mara. I’m glad.” Charai. These will continue to be managed by the OPW.
“Sceilg Mhichíl is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland and sits on one of the most spectacular sites of early medieval island monastic ruins.
“Combined with An Blascao Mall and Derrynan House, the historic park and the beach, these three locations combine to provide an invaluable environmental and It brings cultural significance to the pair.”
today, #Earth Dayminister @kodonnellLK Were in Kerry to support the launch of Ireland’s first National Marine Park – 𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐢́. @NPWSIreland @DeptHousingIRL @DeptHousingIRL @aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa pic.twitter.com/Z74LVdJFQo
— Office of Public Works (@opwireland) April 22, 2024
Commenting on the announcement, Regional Minister and Kerry TD Norma Foley said: Pairaku naiciunta na mara, charai.
“This will be a fantastic amenity. This is a transformational moment for West Kerry and the whole county, allowing us to showcase the best of our natural environment locally, nationally and internationally.”
Niall Ó Dontsch, Director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said:
“Our new park celebrates heritage in all its forms. Our biodiversity and natural heritage exist harmoniously layered alongside monuments and historic shipwrecks from different eras. I am.
“This is a place of symbolic importance and awe-inspiring beauty. Sometimes shrouded in mist as a remote outpost, its past is fantastic, it sparks the imagination, and it is an important site for biodiversity. .It is definitely a place of local pride and importance.” ”
