Kerry coastal community stands proudly over precious dune system rescued from brink of obliteration
The Maharees community-led collaboration which has paid sand dune dividends, has been supported by a host of state agencies, the local authority Kerry County Council, universities and NGOs.
An aerial shot of the area known as Magherabeg Cut (right) has shown dramatic recovery of the dune which had been seriously degraded from unmanaged access from beach users and demonstrates how simple actions like not walking on sand dunes can make them more resilient to storm damage.
Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald said: 'Kerry County Council collaborates with communities like Maharees to advance environmental conservation through initiatives such as dune restoration and sustainable tourism strategies. Supported by MD members, the Maharees Conservation Association successfully preserved and nurtured the sand dunes in Magherabeg, Maharees.
Chair of Maharees Conservation Association CLG, Aidan O'Connor said: 'We are so proud of the dune recovery here that we wanted to thank all of our partners who worked with us to achieve it over the last nine years. Without support from Kerry County Council, NPWS, University of Galway, Munster Technological University, Clean Coasts and the Dingle Hub we would probably be a news story for all the wrong reasons as our main road would undoubtedly be at risk without these sand dunes.'
William Hunt, District Conservation Officer, NPWS said: 'The Maharees Dune Restoration Project serves as a positive example of the significant benefits that can be achieved for both nature and local communities when operating within the regulations of Natura 2000 sites.
'Led by the Maharees Conservation Association, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, community efforts have successfully increased the coverage of marram grass on previously bare patches of sand. This has resulted in enhanced dune stabilisation and improved biodiversity levels.
'This initiative is a win not only for nature and the delicate ecosystems supported by these dunes but also for the local communities in Tralee Bay, who depend on the dunes for protection against storm events.'
Killian Kelly, Wildlife Biology lecturer at MTU said:
'MTU is delighted to be a long-term collaborator with Maharees Conservation Association, working alongside NPWS, Kerry County Council and the community of the Maharees and West Kerry.
ADVERTISEMENT
'Public events, student research projects, and hands on habitat management, provide excellent opportunities teaching and learning for our Wildlife Biology programme, while at the same time contributing to and engaging with communities around the county.'
Deirdre de Bhailís, General Manager, Dingle Hub said: 'At Dingle Hub, we're immensely proud to partner with the Maharees Conservation Association through our 'Neart na Machairí project.
'The vital work being done to regenerate these dune systems represents not just environmental protection but community resilience in action. Their success demonstrates how local knowledge, passion and collaboration can create meaningful solutions to the pressing challenges of coastal erosion and climate change.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Have you spotted any rare birds this summer?
Members of the public are being asked to report any sightings of rare, scarce or non-native bird species in Ireland during the summer months. The Irish Rare Breeding Birds Panel (IRBBP) made the appeal as the summer breeding season comes to an end and birds start to leave their nesting areas. The IRBBP is composed of members of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), BirdWatch Ireland, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Northern Ireland (RSPB NI). Birdwatchers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are also part of the panel. Some of the rare breeding bird species that can be found in Ireland include: whooper swan; shoveler; great skua; Mediterranean gull; bearded tit; ring ouzel; and twite. The list of scarce breeding birds that the panel is also interested in documenting includes: eider; grey partridge; hen harrier; lapwing; woodcock; little tern; peregrine; and chough. The IRBBP said it is "critically important" to conservation and monitoring efforts to make sure these bird species are documented correctly. Canada goose The panel is keen to hear about sightings of non-native species that nest in Ireland, such as the greylag goose, Canada goose, Mandarin duck, rose-ringed parakeet, and others. The panel also welcomes records of potential colonist species that are not included on the existing lists, which can be found on the IRBBP website. Records of any rare, scarce or non-native bird species that may have been breeding in Ireland this summer can be submitted to the IRBBP secretary Tony Murray (NPWS). The records should include dates, locations, and details of the birds' activity or breeding evidence.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Extra.ie
Beekeepers warn that Asian hornets could 'wreak havoc'
The Irish Beekeeper's Association (IBA) has warned that Asian hornets have the potential to 'wreak havoc' on the bee population of Ireland. According to the IBA, the hornet's preferred food is honey bees. Since an Asian hornet was spotted in Cork, Ireland has received a 'biosecurity alert' from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The Asian hornet poses a huge threat to bees. Pic: Shutterstock The IBA's Public Relations Officer, Colette O'Connor, said that the association is 'very, very concerned' about the hornet's arrival. She stated: 'This insect is a carnivore. It's an apex predator. 'It has wreaked havoc in Europe.' This is only the second time that an Asian hornet has been confirmed to be in Ireland, the other being in 2021. Colette urged anybody who spots an Asian hornet to take a photo of it and report it. A 2020 survey of 400 beekeepers in France, Spain and Portugal found that they spent just under €8million to protect their honey bees. Colette remarked: 'It didn't actually stop the hornet wreaking havoc. 'It didn't take into account the huge number of beekeepers that in desperation gave up beekeeping, having seen what the insect did.' The hornet is much larger than Ireland's wasps. Pic: David Crossley/Defra/PA Wire The IBA 'doesn't know' if the Asian hornet that was spotted by a member of the public to trigger the biosecurity alert was the same one that was captured. However, Colette said that she does not want people to panic and that the 'very beautiful' Asian hornet is easy to distinguish from a wasp. She said: 'It's much larger than our native wasps. 'It's dark black on its thorax and it has very bright yellow face. 'The fourth segment on its abdomen is a very bright yellow, mustard yellow. 'The bottom two-thirds of its legs are again, a very bright yellow.' She added that the NPWS and the National Diversity Data Centre were able to confirm the insect spotted was an Asian hornet just from the recorder's 'very good' photos. Traps were put up in the area and an Asian hornet was found in one of these traps on Tuesday evening. Colette confirmed that there are still 'lots of traps' on site and a circumference of traps around the area. The IBA is also making contact with a local beekeeper. People who see an Asian hornet should take a photo and report it. Pic: Shutterstock The PRO added that the Asian hornet caught will be examined at the National Museum to see if it is a queen. She has asked truck drivers, people coming back to Ireland on ferries and ferry workers to familiarise themselves with what an Asian hornet looks like. Asian hornets are often seen hovering in front of beehives, hunting honeybees, so those living near beehives should keep a particular eye out. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan stressed that the hornet is a 'threat to our native pollinators and our biodiversity.' He added: 'We must take even a single sighting very seriously. NPWS responded quickly to this report, with a team of experts rapidly tasked to monitor and survey the area.' A dedicated taskforce has already been created in response to the jarring discovery in Cork and a government-led response is underway. However, it has been stated that a major public health risk is not an immediate concern
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Castlebar park set to become more greener through biodiversity project
The Biodiversity Enhancement Project is being supported by funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Local Biodiversity Action Plan Fund. Transformative works have already taken place in the park, including the planting of over 30 potted native trees, 220 bare-root native whips, 70 metres of native hedgerow, and the creation of large perennial pollinator flowerbeds. Native trees have been used where possible in the park as they support larger numbers of diverse insects, lichens and bird species. In 2025, more funding was allocated to help the park further develop habitats and actions for nature and wildlife. The planting of native hedgerows was proposed to help this development. Hedgerows help provide shelter and a food source for mammals, as well as nectar and pollen sources for pollinators. An important part of the biodiversity project's success is down to community involvement. Castlebar Tidy Towns has played a key role in preparing a biodiversity plot within the park. Town gardener Adrian Roche and his team planted nearly 400 pollinator-friendly flowers and plants, giving a major boost to the area's biodiversity. The project has been a collaborative effort, with members from tidy towns working alongside international protection applicants and Mayo County Council. Ger Deere, a member of Castlebar Tidy Towns and a local councillor, said he was thrilled to see the community coming together to create something beautiful and beneficial for the town. 'We are working with the international protection residents and they are making a huge difference. It's all about integration. We had about 40 international protection residents volunteering with us and a lot of them had never planted flowers before. It was a great day for them and a great sense of achievement and being part of the community,' he said. The project has provided a meaningful opportunity for integration and community engagement all while working to enhance the town park's biodiversity. Biodiversity Officer for Mayo County Council, Sheila Murphy, said the project also hopes to make use of the park's wetter ground, through appropriate wetland planting and with the addition of a willow structure. 'All these features will lend to greater habitat connectivity within the park, via treelines, hedgerows and the Castlebar River riparian margins. The creation of a willow structure will help create a piece of natural infrastructure which will support biodiversity within the park. Native willow can support up to 266 insect species.' Mayo County Council are signed up to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Ms Murphy said an important yet simple measure to help support actions for pollinators is to implementing grass cutting measures: 'Our native pollinators are struggling with over half of our 100 bee species in substantial decline and 30% are threatened with extinction,' she added. Ms Murphy continued: 'The Town Park supports extensive areas of managed grassy areas, however by changing how often areas are cut, if gives greater opportunity for natural native wildflowers to grow, providing a vital food source for pollinators and grassy swards for insects to nest and shelter in, 'In 2025, sections of the park have been left to develop into meadow with striking native species emerging such as the cuckoo flower, bird's foot trefoil, clovers, ox eye daisies and common spotted orchid. Such a diverse species sward in a short period of time is a fantastic achievement illustrating what can be achieved for biodiversity by simple actions and giving nature a chance to thrive, 'It is hoped that a more diverse combination of habitats will not only be beneficial to local biodiversity but also create a much more interesting and enjoyable experience for park users and visitors to Castlebar.' Through a combination of native planting, habitat restoration and strong community involvement, Castlebar Town Park is becoming a centre for biodiversity. With further developments planned in 2025, the park will help to offer environmental benefits while also creating a welcoming space for both residents and visitors. This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
