Killarney National Park

Not to be confused with Killarney Provincial Park.

Killarney National Park
Páirc Náisiúnta Chill Airne
Map showing the location of Killarney National Park
Map showing the location of Killarney National Park
LocationKillarney, Ireland
Nearest cityCork
Coordinates52°01′16″N 9°30′24″W / 52.02099°N 9.50664°W / 52.02099; -9.50664
Area102.89 km2 (39.73 sq mi)
Established1932; 92 years ago (1932)
Governing bodyNational Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)
Websitewww.nationalparks.ie/killarney/
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National Parks in the Republic of Ireland

Killarney National Park (Irish: Páirc Náisiúnta Chill Airne), near the town of Killarney, County Kerry, was the first national park in Ireland, created when the Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish Free State in 1932.[1] The park has since been substantially expanded and encompasses over 102.89 km2 (25,425 acres) of diverse ecology, including the Lakes of Killarney, oak and yew woodlands of international importance,[2] and mountain peaks.[3] It has the only red deer[4] herd on mainland Ireland and the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland.[5] The park is of high ecological value because of the quality, diversity, and extensiveness of many of its habitats and the wide variety of species that they accommodate, some of which are rare. The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981.[6] The park forms part of a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for the management and administration of the park.[7] Nature conservation is the main objective of the park, and ecosystems in their natural state are highly valued.[8] The park is known for its scenery,[9] and recreation and tourism amenities are provided for.[3]

  1. ^ Dúchas. "About Killarney National Park". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  2. ^ Perrin, Philip M.; Daniel L. Kelly; Fraser J.G. Mitchell (1 December 2006). "Long-term deer exclusion in yew-wood and oakwood habitats in southwest Ireland: Natural regeneration and stand dynamics". Forest Ecology and Management. 236 (2–3): 356–367. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2006.09.025.
  3. ^ a b National Parks and Wildlife Service (1 April 2005). "Killarney National Park Site Synopsis" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  4. ^ National Parks and Wildlife Service. "Killarney National Park". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  5. ^ Kelly, Daniel L. (July 1981). "The Native Forest Vegetation of Killarney, South-West Ireland: An Ecological Account". The Journal of Ecology. 69 (2): 437–472. doi:10.2307/2259678. JSTOR 2259678.
  6. ^ National Parks and Wildlife Service (5 December 2005). "Killarney National Park, Macgillycuddy's Reeks and Caragh River Catchment Site Synopsis" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference KNPHistory was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Craig was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cross, J. R. (November 1981). "The Establishment of Rhododendron Ponticum in the Killarney Oakwoods, S. W. Ireland". The Journal of Ecology. 69 (3): 807–824. doi:10.2307/2259638. JSTOR 2259638.