PLANS FOR A new nature reserve in Co Kilkenny have been announced by the Government.

The State is to purchase just under 67 hectares (165 acres) of land within and adjacent to the Cullahill Mountain Special Area of Conservation in Kilkenny.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will acquire the land on behalf of the State, and it will be designated as the county’s newest nature reserve, Gale’s Hill Nature Reserve.

It will be the fifth nature reserve in Kilkenny. The others are Ballykeeffe Wood Nature Reserve, Fiddown Island Nature Reserve, Garryricken Woods Nature Reserve and Kyledohir Wood Nature Reserve.

Announcing the plans at an event in Kilkenny City today, Minister of State for Nature Malcolm Noonan described the site as a “haven for wildlife” and “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,” he said. 

Noonan said 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,” he added.

“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.”

Noonan also confirmed funding for works to improve public access and safety at Ballykeeffe Nature Reserve, an oak-ash woodland located 12 kilometres from Kilkenny City.

He said public access and safety at the woodland “has long been a concern”.

“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.”

Offaly nature reserve

The Minister also announced his intention to designate State lands at Boora in Co Offaly as the new Boora Farmland Birds Nature Reserve.

The 600 acre site is home to the population of grey partridge, one of the country’s rarest native breeding farmland birds.

Noonan said the NPWS management regime at Boora 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”.

Last week, a public consultation on the future of National Parks in Ireland was launched. 

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said the Your Parks, Your Say survey 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.

The survey can be found on the Department’s website.