Call for action as burrowing rabbits leave huge holes in Kerry graveyard

Two separate motions came before the meeting of the Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District calling on the county council to take action to control the rabbits at Ventry Graveyard

Holes in Ventry Graveyard. Picture: Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald

Rabbits burrowing in the sandy soil at one of the country’s oldest and most scenic graveyards have caused huge holes, leading to calls for action.

Two separate motions came before the meeting of the Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District calling on Kerry County Council to take action to control the rabbits at Ventry Graveyard.

Some holes are alongside plots at the graveyard, which dates to medieval times and is still sometimes in use. Councillors said the burrowing was causing great upset locally. 

The rabbits were also beginning to expand into the adjoining new graveyard, local Fianna Fáil councillor Breandán Fitzgerald said.

Mr Fitzgerald and Fine Gael's Séamus Cosaí Fitzgerald both had motions asking the council to take action as the rabbits are causing an "awful lot of damage to the grounds and graves" at Ventry Graveyard. 

The rabbit population had diminished greatly pre-covid. However, it is believed to have increased during the lockdowns when the rabbits would have been undisturbed by humans and dogs.

Kerry County Council is responsible for graveyards in Kerry and it said it would undertake "whatever reasonable actions are necessary to alleviate this problem".

The rabbits were also beginning to expand into the adjoining new graveyard, local Fianna Fáil councillor Breandán Fitzgerald said. Picture: Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald

Ventry, on the Dingle Peninsula, is the second coastal area to be troubled by rabbits.

Earlier this month, aerial pictures released by the OPW showed extensive damage by rabbits at Derrynane National Historic Park, which is located on the more southerly Iveragh Peninsula.

A biodiversity audit of Derrynane, commissioned by the OPW, noted some of the dunes previously mapped as fixed dunes on Derrynane Beach have been reclassified as marram dunes because of the rabbits.

The report said: "Extensive erosion is likely the cause of the degradation in dune condition, significant erosion due to overgrazing by recently-increased rabbit populations. Areas of bare sand were observed throughout the dune habitats as a result of this overgrazing, with resultant reduction in stabilisation."

"Overgrazing by the current rabbit population at Derrynane is a threat to rare protected habitats and species of international significance, such as whorl snails and natterjack toads," the OPW said.

"The OPW is planning ahead to ensure essential rabbit control measures can be procured in good time. It is intended that the rabbit control will be undertaken over the winter period outside of the lengthy rabbit breeding period. The works being tendered will involve a range of specialist control methods, including the use of humane traps," a spokesman said.