Today, I announced my intention to purchase 165 acres of land at Gale's Hill near Gathabawn in North Kilkenny and designate it as Kilkenny's fifth nature reserve.
Under this Government, we have transformed the National Parks and Wildlife Service, increased its funding by 170% and created new National Parks for the first time in over 25 years. Today, I am proud to announce my intention to further increase the State’s network of protected places by creating a new Nature Reserve here in Kilkenny in a site of high ecological significance. 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 site has been managed in a low-intensity, traditional manner for many years and it's my hope that it will be an opportunity for the state to demonstrate how farmland can be managed for nature. I’m thrilled that this haven for wildlife will now be acquired on behalf of the State and protected for generations to come, and 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.
I also announced today that our NPWS will enhance visitor access to the existing Ballykeeffe Wood Nature Reserve through increased public engagement and an upgraded car park with bicycle parking and a safer exit to the public road. The mature native woodland at Ballykeeffe is treasured by the people of Kilkenny as a place where we can all enjoy the wonders of a mature native woodland, be it the bluebells in Spring or the amazing autumnal colours that we have at the moment. However, public access and safety has long been a concern and I’m delighted that we can now increase capacity for visitors, including bicycle parking, as well as providing a much safer exit to the public road by improving sightlines.
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