“Essential Guide to Ireland’s Newest Park”

What’s the scoop on the newest marine national park?
The recently inaugurated marine national park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, is the most expansive and eighth in the line of national parks in Ireland. Its expanse is spread across Corca Dhuibhne, Co Kerry.

What areas does it encompass?
This park includes certain mainland regions, various islands and a portion of the sea. Portions of the mainland under its ambit include the newly state-acquired Conor Pass, Owenmore river catchment, Mount Brandon and Inch Peninsula, along with Derrynane House, Historic Park and beach, currently maintained by the OPW.
The park also includes several islands such as Sceilig Michíl, Little Skellig, Puffin Island, state-owned Great Blasket Island territory, An Tiaracht Nature Reserve, and the Valentia Tetrapod Trackway. Further, the waters revolving around the Blasket Islands, and the Kerry Head Shoals are also included.

Does the park offer any additional protections?
According to a spokesperson for the Minister of State for Nature and Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, this park doesn’t introduce any fresh protections. All sites within the park already possess stringent protections under European Directives and national regulations through the most robust biodiversity laws.

What is the point of its designation as a national park?
The official designation as a national park brings the territory, including previously privately-owned areas, under the management of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

What impact will NPWS management have?
Even though all lands were previously protected under various regulations, policies, and designations, compliance was not always observed, resulting in some sites not being in optimal ecological condition. The NPWS will be tasked with significant restoration works under the national park designation, with a dedicated annual budget allocated for this task. Hence, this is a noteworthy development.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) receives yearly funding as part of the national budget allocation, ensuring reliable ongoing monetary support for national parks. In addition to this, the NPWS will devise and put into operation a comprehensive management strategy for the park. This includes assigning dedicated personnel to the park for its continued maintenance and enhancement.

As for the question of whether new rules will be implemented for park visitors or residents under this management plan, the approach will primarily focus on building upon the existing protections and designations that are already in effect for the park. However, there will be enhanced supervision for compliance with these statutes. As part of the plan formulation, collaboration will take place with local residents and the local authority. This aims to secure the finest potential results for the park, which according to a spokeswoman, should lead to a “transformation of the quality of its habitats.”

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