Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
A new book, described as the most comprehensive inventory of fungi recorded in Killarney National Park, documenting almost 500 species of through photographs and text, has just been launched.
The publication, Fungi of Killarney National Park, was researched and produced by local man, Louis O’Toole and is published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, launched the book at the annual National Parks and Wildlife Conference.
“We are blessed with the variety of wildlife that Ireland’s national parks are home to, including many well-known and charismatic species. But this extraordinary book pays tribute to an often overlooked corner of the natural world: the kingdom of fungi,” he said.
The minister said the amazing organisms work in symbiosis with plants, recycling nutrients and supporting key ecosystem functions and the diversity of their forms, textures and colours can be jaw-dropping.
“This wonderful book combines local knowledge, skilled photography and research and records 202 new specimens of fungi found in Killarney National Park. It is engaging, educational and makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the ecology of one of Ireland’s most precious places for nature.”
Éamonn Meskell, divisional manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in Killarney National Park said Louis’s book is of enormous importance to Killarney National Park and to Ireland.
“There are now more records of fungi from areas of woodlands and this portrays the unique and important ecological diversity that exists in the park,” he remarked.
Author Louis O’Toole said the book provides an invaluable scientific record and highlights an aspect of stunning diversity of the ecosystem found within Killarney National Park.
“It’s something to be cherished and preserved to the best of our abilities into the future,” he said.
Louis will speak about the book at an event during the popular autumn talks series, hosted each year by Killarney National Park, on Thursday, October 26 at Killarney House and Gardens (8.00pm). The talk will also be live-streamed on Killarney National Park’s Facebook page.
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