Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go….
That wasn’t the early morning chant that rang out in Killarney National Park each day this week but it might well have been as dozens of volunteers set out to put in a hard day’s work with great enthusiasm and almost an air of excitement.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan
Men’s Shed volunteers from several parts of the country have arrived in town to lend a hand in the determined ongoing campaign to tackle the persistent rhododendron problem in the park.
Armed with the essential tools and clad in hi-viz bibs, protective boots and hard hats, they seemed to revel in the big challenge presented and they helped clear large sections of the Abbey Wood where the invasive weed is at its worst.
In return for their efforts, the Men’s Shed volunteers were accommodated and well looked after in a number of local hotels and they were treated to a get-together dinner this Tuesday night.
“They were a tremendous help and they worked wonderfully well side by side with our own Mountain Meitheal volunteers,” said organiser Johnny McGuire.
“Men’s Shed volunteers came from north, south, east and west and one even went to the trouble of travelling from Bere Island,” he added.
While Killarney National Park has been fighting a rearguard action against rhododendrons for over 30 years, the sheer size of the 10,000-hectare park presents serious challenges.
This initiative represents an innovative approach as it is an attempt to harness the efforts of the whole community against this threat to one of Ireland’s most-visited sites of natural beauty.
“This project brings those communities together on a national scale and we are delighted to extend our hospitality to the Men’s Shed volunteers this November,” said Johnny McGuire.
KillarneyToday.com: Reaching thousands of readers every day. To advertise call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
