Public access to popular Kerry wood closed

Behind-the-scenes moves are underway to resolve a long-running dispute which has resulted in a private landowner blocking a traditional access road to a western section of Killarney National Park, Co Kerry.

Walkers entering the Tomies Wood area, near Beaufort, are faced with a locked gate topped with barbed wire, and a 2m-high fence alongside.

Signs declaring ‘private property’ and ‘no trespassing’ have been erected in the area. Tomies Wood, overlooking the lower lake, is a popular walking area and the closing of access to the wood is causing embarrassment to the tourism industry in Co Kerry and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.