'A very special place': Kerry to be the home of Ireland's first marine national park

Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, will include the Conor Pass, Sceilg Mhichíl, Inch Dunes, the Blasket Islands, and Derrynane historic park and grounds

Junior heritage minister Malcolm Noonan and Heritage Minister Darragh O’Brien at the Conor Pass with National Parks & Wildlife Service staff William Hunt, Sarah Uí Bhroin, Philip Buckley, Jean Hamilton, and Daniel Buckley announcing the development of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

The new marine national park planned for Kerry will incorporate 70,000 acres, including 1,400 sand dunes at Inch and 54,000 acres at sea.

A management plan will now be drawn up for Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, which will include the Conor Pass, Sceilg Mhichíl, Inch Dunes, the Blasket Islands, and Derrynane historic park and grounds.