I’ve written to Minister for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan TD, asking for the state to purchase the 1,400-acre landholding at Conor Pass, Co. Kerry that’s currently on sale and turn it into a national park. This is an excellent opportunity to rewild a popular but ecologically barren area for everyone to enjoy in perpetuity and to demonstrate what our landscape should look like. While this isn’t local to my local electoral area, I believe this is very important and would encourage everyone to get in touch with their local TDs and Minister Noonan (mos@housing.gov.ie).

Dear Minister Noonan,

I am writing regarding a 1,400-acre landholding at Conor Pass, Dingle, Co. Kerry which is now on the market for around €10m.

I strongly believe that the state should purchase this land on behalf of the National Parks & Wildlife Service to establish a new national park in the Dingle Peninsula. While the land currently features ecologically barren mountain grazing and monoculture forestry, I believe this presents a rare opportunity for the state to rewild a well-known tourist spot to demonstrate what our beautiful landscape should look like and provide valuable education about our island’s biodiversity. 

As I’m sure you know, Ireland has one of the lowest forest coverage and poorest biodiversity in Europe and we desperately need to arrest this decline and restore nature.

Similar landholdings purchased for the National Parks & Wildlife Service in Wicklow and Mayo serve as ample precedent for the state to negotiate sale of this land for the establishment of a national park.

Kind regards,

Feljin Jose
Green Party Local Area Rep for Cabra-Glasnevin