News
Minister Malcolm Noonan announces plans for a new Nature Reserve in Kilkenny
Date Released: Monday, October 14, 2024
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has today, 14 October 2024, announced his intention to purchase just under 67ha (165 acres) of lands within and adjacent to the Cullahill Mountain Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Kilkenny, and to designate it as Kilkenny’s newest Nature Reserve, Gale’s Hill Nature Reserve.
The establishment of Gale’s Hill Nature Reserve will bring the number of Nature Reserves in County Kilkenny to five. The others are Ballykeeffe Wood Nature Reserve, Fiddown Island Nature Reserve, Garryricken Woods Nature Reserve and Kyledohir Wood Nature Reserve.
Speaking at an event in the Butler Gallery in Kilkenny City today, the Minister said:
“Under this Government, we have transformed the National Parks and Wildlife Service, increased its funding by 170% and created new National Parks for the first time in over 25 years. Today, I am proud to announce my intention to further increase the State’s network of protected places by creating a new Nature Reserve here in Kilkenny in a site of high ecological significance. Gale’s Hill is a rare and precious gem. It is home to nationally important species-rich grassland habitats, and features an amazing selection of wild native plants, rare invertebrates like the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly and unique fungi, such as waxcap mushrooms, as well as a host of bird species. At a time when 30% of our semi-natural grasslands have been lost in the past 10 years, this represents a hugely valuable investment.
“I’m thrilled that this haven for wildlife will now be acquired on behalf of the State by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and protected for the future as a Nature Reserve. This will guarantee its management for generations to come, and ensure that its ecological value is stabilised and enhanced. The site has been managed in a low-intensity, traditional manner for many years and has not been subject to agricultural improvement through the use of artificial fertilisers or re-seeding. As such, it is my hope that it will be an opportunity for the state to demonstrate how farmland can be managed for nature. I have no doubt that it will provide a wonderful resource for the local community, as well as for wildlife enthusiasts from near and far.”
The Minister was visiting Kilkenny today to confirm funding for works to improve public access and safety at Ballykeeffe Nature Reserve, a popular oak-ash woodland that is located just 12km from Kilkenny City.
The Minister said
“Ballykeeffe Wood Nature Reserve is much loved by the people of Kilkenny where all can enjoy the wonders of a mature native woodland, be it the bluebells in Spring or the amazing autumnal colours that we have at the moment. However public access and safety has long been a concern, and I’m delighted that we are now in a position to increase capacity for visitors, including bicycle parking, as well as providing a much safer exit to the public road by improving sightlines. In addition, we will be working to enhance public engagement with the Nature Reserve, including local biodiversity events.”
In a further development to the national network of Nature Reserves, the Minister also announced his intention to designate State lands at Boora in County Offaly as the new ‘Boora Farmland Birds Nature Reserve’. The 600 acre site is the location chosen by one of our rarest native breeding farmland birds, the grey partridge, and the NPWS management regime there has resulted in associated benefits for other declining or threatened farmland bird species for both breeding and wintering making it an ideal site for a Nature Reserve in Offaly. The proposed designation as nature reserve is on state lands managed by NPWS only.
Today’s announcements followed Minister Noonan’s launch last Thursday of a public dialogue on the future of National Parks. ‘Your Parks, Your Say’ is the first phase of a national conversation to inform the definition, purpose and management of our National Parks. Stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to have their say across a range of topics including biodiversity conservation, education, visitor management and legislation.
Images Courtesy: Dylan Vaughan Photography