The Irish government has announced exciting plans to expand nature conservation efforts in Counties Kilkenny and Offaly. Minister of State for Nature Malcolm Noonan revealed the State’s intention to purchase land for a new nature reserve in Kilkenny and designate existing State lands in Offaly as a protected area for birds.
Kilkenny’s New Green Gem
In Kilkenny, the State will buy nearly 67 hectares of land to create the Gale’s Hill Nature Reserve. This area, part of the Cullahill Mountain Special Area of Conservation, is described by Minister Noonan as a “haven for wildlife” and “a rare and precious gem.”
The new reserve will be home to:
- Important grassland habitats
- Rare native plants
- Endangered butterflies like the Marsh Fritillary
- Unique fungi, including waxcap mushrooms
- Various bird species
This purchase comes at a crucial time, as 30% of Ireland’s semi-natural grasslands have been lost in the past decade.
Boora: A Safe Haven for Rare Birds
In Offaly, the government plans to designate 600 acres of State land at Boora as the Boora Farmland Birds Nature Reserve. This area is particularly significant as it’s home to the grey partridge, one of Ireland’s rarest native breeding farmland birds.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service’s management of the Boora site has also benefited other threatened farmland bird species, making it an ideal location for a nature reserve.
Public Engagement in Conservation
Alongside these new reserves, the government has launched a public consultation on the future of National Parks in Ireland. The ‘Your Parks, Your Say’ survey aims to gather public opinion on various aspects of park management, including biodiversity conservation, education, and visitor management.
According to The Journal, these initiatives reflect a growing commitment to nature conservation in Ireland, with the government taking active steps to protect and preserve the country’s unique wildlife and habitats.