Men's Shedders arrive in Killarney to tackle invasive rhododendron

"Shedders" from the Irish Men's Sheds Association throughout the island have arrived in Killarney for an old-style 'meitheal' - but instead of cutting hay or turf, the men’s organisation is tackling the scourge of invasive rhododendron in the Killarney National Park.

Introduced in the nineteenth century as ground cover for shooting parties alongside the woodlands of the old estates, rhododendron ponticum, a Black sea native, has taken over huge areas of the 10,000-hectare Killarney National Park.