The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is to consider a proposal to introduce red deer from Killarney into Phoenix Park in Dublin. But why not be more ambitious? The deer of Killarney National Park are Irelands oldest herd of red deer and are thought to be directly descended from animals introduced in the neolithic era. Herds in other parts of the country are descended from more recent importations. Other herds have been established using Kerry stock in Connemara National Park, Doneraile Park in Mallow and Inishvickillane island off the coast of Kerry. So why not carry out a feasability study to see if new herds of Kerry red deer could be established in other parts of the island to help spread this ancient blood line across a wider geographic area? Perhaps they could be released into the proposed wilderness area in the Nephin mountains in Co. Mayo or on areas of cutaway bog regenerating into birch woodland in the midlands? In the absence of a predator herds would need to be managed and local communities would have to be consulted before animals were released but it would be worth it if more Irish people could hear the haunting and evocative roar of red stags on their doorstep. (Photo copyright: Mike Brown)
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 09:00:00 +0000