Plans to purchase just under 67ha (165ac) of lands within and adjacent to the Cullahill Mountain Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Kilkenny, and to designate it as a new nature reserve have been announced by government.
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.
Announcing the plans, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan said it is his “hope” that it will be an opportunity for the state to demonstrate how farmland can be managed for nature.
The land will now be acquired on behalf of the state by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). This will guarantee its management for generations to come, and ensure that its ecological value is stabilised and enhanced, he said.
Nature reserve
Gale’s Hill Nature Reserve will be the fifth nature reserve in Co. Kilkenny. 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 (Monday, October 14), Minister Noonan said: “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.”
The minister also announced his intention to designate state lands at Boora in Co. Offaly as the new Boora Farmland Birds Nature Reserve. The 600ac site is the location chosen by one of Ireland’s rarest native breeding farmland birds, the grey partridge.
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, he said.
Minister Noonan visited 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.
“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,” he said.
Last week, Minister Noonan launched 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 Ireland’s 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.