Farmer makes the case for mountain sheep in new national park
A west Kerry farmer has appealed to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to allow sheep continue to graze in Ireland's newest national park.
Established in April 2024, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí includes more than 77,000ac of lands and seas in public ownership on the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry.
Ireland’s first marine national park also comprises several sites of ecological, cultural, historical and archaeological significance.
In November, the NPWS launched a public consultation seeking views on how the park should be managed into the future.
Dinny Galvin, a farmer from Lispole and chair of the West Kerry Scotch Mountain Sheep Breeders' Society, was among those to make a submission.
He told the NPWS that he hoped "consideration and priority" would be given to the Scotch Mountain Sheep as livestock to control the cover grass and heather in the mountainous areas of the national park.
"This mountain sheep breed have adapted to this harsh environment over the decades without damaging the area and are very important to the local farming community and a way of life to many.
"We understand that over or under grazing isn't good for biodiversity and can have an impact on wildlife as well.
"We have huge improvements made through Sheep Ireland in genotyping and breeding gains of these beautiful sheep.
"I would ask you to consider this when looking into the correct stocking rate for these upland mountainous areas and give consideration to our local Scotch mountain sheep breed as they need protection going forward," he said.
Galvin also sits on the Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance Group and works for the Dingle Hub as an agricultural liaison.
"The other important thing for me would be to recognise the folklore and archeology of the uplands.
"There are rocks and stones burial sites and fabulous stories which need to be documented and QR coded for all visitors to the park.
"These are very important to tourism and the local farming community to recognise and mark," he said.
Galvin said there could be an opportunity for the local farming community to diversify into agri-tourism and some could become guides for those visiting the park.
"This is an opportunity that can't be missed out on. I fear for this as sheep farmers are declining all the time due to age profile. Sadly with them goes all this fabulous information.
"I can also see where a lovely creative art project could be created from all these beautiful relics and stories," he said.
