Latest news with #NeartnaMachairí
Irish Independent
03-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Vital importance of sand dunes celebrated at Kerry beach as part of World Sand Dune Day
The international event, held annually, aims to raise awareness about the vital role sand dunes play—particularly as coastal erosion continues to threaten vulnerable communities around the globe. The sand dunes of Maharees, which host Ireland's largest population of the endangered Natterjack toad, have been at the heart of ongoing community-led conservation efforts for more than nine years. Spearheaded by the Maharees Conservation Association (MCA), the initiative has seen significant restoration progress through marram planting, fencing, and education programmes backed by state agencies and Kerry County Council. These natural coastal defences are increasingly crucial as sea levels rise and storm activity intensifies. The Neart na Machairí project is now helping the community take the next step in preparing for climate change impacts. 'This project is helping us to work through the questions of 'what changes will we see over the coming decades?' and 'what can we do now to prepare ourselves for the changes to come',' said Aidan O'Connor, Chairperson of the Maharees Conservation Association. 'We have seen how empowered and resilient our community is from our work over the last nine years—we're taking the next steps now in creating multiple ways for our community to feed into the answers to these questions.' Led by MCA and Dingle Hub, Neart na Machairí is a Creative Climate Action project supported through Creative Ireland's Ignite programme. It explores the challenges and opportunities of coastal resilience with the Maharees community, in collaboration with artists Emer Fallon, Silke Michels, and Zoë Uí Fhaoláin Green. Over the past year, they have guided a creative, community-based inquiry into the future of Maharees in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss. World Sand Dune Day activities included an ecology and heritage walk along Magherabeg beach with ecologist Monica Reidy and Martin Lynch of the Maharees Conservation Association, an open-air art workshop titled Creativity by the Sea, and a hands-on marram planting session led by Aidan O'Connor. 'We were delighted to see locals, visitors and members of other Kerry coastal communities join us to explore the dunes, beaches and sea through creativity,' said artist Zoë Uí Fhaoláin Green. 'A beautiful community artwork of cyanotype flags displayed along the beach led to lots of thought-provoking conversations about the challenges coastal communities face, while at the same time celebrating what people hold precious and want to protect about this special place. Through natural ink painting, poetry and cyanotype printing, we connected with place and celebrated community.' Insights and outcomes from the project's participatory approach will be shared on MCA's social media platforms and via the Creative Resilience section of their website.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Kerry coastal community stands proudly over precious dune system rescued from brink of obliteration
It's an inspiring exemplar of what can be done in the face of human activity, coastal erosion and climate change in general. The Maharees community-led collaboration which has paid sand dune dividends, has been supported by a host of state agencies, the local authority Kerry County Council, universities and NGOs. An aerial shot of the area known as Magherabeg Cut (right) has shown dramatic recovery of the dune which had been seriously degraded from unmanaged access from beach users and demonstrates how simple actions like not walking on sand dunes can make them more resilient to storm damage. Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald said: 'Kerry County Council collaborates with communities like Maharees to advance environmental conservation through initiatives such as dune restoration and sustainable tourism strategies. Supported by MD members, the Maharees Conservation Association successfully preserved and nurtured the sand dunes in Magherabeg, Maharees. Chair of Maharees Conservation Association CLG, Aidan O'Connor said: 'We are so proud of the dune recovery here that we wanted to thank all of our partners who worked with us to achieve it over the last nine years. Without support from Kerry County Council, NPWS, University of Galway, Munster Technological University, Clean Coasts and the Dingle Hub we would probably be a news story for all the wrong reasons as our main road would undoubtedly be at risk without these sand dunes.' William Hunt, District Conservation Officer, NPWS said: 'The Maharees Dune Restoration Project serves as a positive example of the significant benefits that can be achieved for both nature and local communities when operating within the regulations of Natura 2000 sites. 'Led by the Maharees Conservation Association, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, community efforts have successfully increased the coverage of marram grass on previously bare patches of sand. This has resulted in enhanced dune stabilisation and improved biodiversity levels. 'This initiative is a win not only for nature and the delicate ecosystems supported by these dunes but also for the local communities in Tralee Bay, who depend on the dunes for protection against storm events.' Killian Kelly, Wildlife Biology lecturer at MTU said: 'MTU is delighted to be a long-term collaborator with Maharees Conservation Association, working alongside NPWS, Kerry County Council and the community of the Maharees and West Kerry. ADVERTISEMENT 'Public events, student research projects, and hands on habitat management, provide excellent opportunities teaching and learning for our Wildlife Biology programme, while at the same time contributing to and engaging with communities around the county.' Deirdre de Bhailís, General Manager, Dingle Hub said: 'At Dingle Hub, we're immensely proud to partner with the Maharees Conservation Association through our 'Neart na Machairí project. 'The vital work being done to regenerate these dune systems represents not just environmental protection but community resilience in action. Their success demonstrates how local knowledge, passion and collaboration can create meaningful solutions to the pressing challenges of coastal erosion and climate change.'
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Maharees community launches new visitor leaflet as part of Climate Action Project
The leaflet, designed by Mairead Kinsella, a frequent visitor to the Maharees and a key community partner in the project, is more than just an informational guide. It represents a creative response to the unique biodiversity of the region and its vulnerabilities to climate change. Mairead's work encourages visitors to consider their role in preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the places they enjoy. "It's been a joy and privilege to be a community partner on the Neart na Machairí project," she said during the launch. 'I've learned so much about Maharees — the people, the biodiversity, the heritage — and the broader climate challenges we face. For the first time, I feel empowered by knowledge rather than frightened of what the future holds. I was eager to share that learning through this leaflet, and I hope visitors like myself find it both useful and empowering.' The launch event reflected the spirit of the project — a lively and inclusive celebration that featured local food, creative children's activities, and open discussions on climate change, biodiversity, and regenerative tourism. It served as a reminder of the deep connections between communities and their environments, and the power of creative collaboration to inspire action. Aidan O'Connor, Chair of the Maharees Conservation Association, praised Mairead's contribution: "We are really heartened by what Mairead has done for our community. She listened to our story, learned about the challenges we face due to climate change, and created something that supports and uplifts us. The co-creation process she undertook with our team and the Neart na Machairí project was thoughtful and collaborative. We're incredibly proud of the final result and delighted to support the launch of the leaflet.' The leaflet launch is one of many initiatives under the Neart na Machairí project, a two-year collaborative effort exploring how the Maharees can adapt and thrive amid climate and biodiversity challenges. The project brings together local residents and three artists — Emer Fallon, Silke Michels, and Zoë Uí Fhaoláin Green — under the guidance of the Maharees Conservation Association and Project Designer Zoë Rush. Neart na Machairí is delivered in partnership with Maharees Heritage and Conservation and Dingle Hub, and is supported by the Creative Ireland Programme through its Creative Climate Action Fund II.
