People urged to avoid part of Killarney National Park due to large fire

People in Kerry are being warned to stay away from the the Old Kenmare Road area of Killarney National Park where fire fighters are currently battling a large fire.

The fire service have requested the help of the Air Corps to extinguish the blaze, which is believed to be one of the largest to ever take hold inside the National Park.

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht are warning the public to avoid the area of the Park between Kenmare and Killarney, which is part of the 'Kerry Way' walking route.

Arts Minister Heather Humphreys said: "Every effort is being made by the emergency services to get the fire at Killarney National Park under control."