Weekend family fun in the national park

Daniel, Sandra, Eillie, Jaxson and Lee O’Sullivan, enjoying the family fun day ramble in Muckross

Keeping a safe distance: Aoibhe Dignam, Nathan Domanski, Conor Dignam, Kenmare, observing the deer in Knockreer Estate

First light: The gathering in Knockreer for the dawn deer watch walk

Setting out at first light to observe the annual rutting season

Autumn colours blending: Eda Honohan l(left) and Grainne Liddy, in Knockreer Estate

Noah Barber, enjoying the family fun day

A stag making his presence felt

Brian, Bláthnaid, Muiris, Ruirí and Donncha Coakley

In the spotlight: An Irish stag wanders alone at the nocturnal gathering in Knockreer Estate

Oisin McAllister, Eoin Casey, Donnacha Coakley and Ciaran Casey enjoying the fun day

Autumn, loved for its changing colours and frenetic animal activity, is a favourite time in Killarney National Park and this year’s Samhain Gathering proved a big hit at the weekend.

The programme of events was presented by the conservation rangers and the Nature Education Centre of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Killarney National Park encompasses more than 10,000 hectares of diverse ecology, ancient oak and yew woodlands and, of course, the native red deer who are a firm favourite with photographers who travel from all parts to capture the activity of the rutting season.

Events enjoyed at the weekend included photographic workshops with specialist landscape photographer, a morning deer watch with conservation ranger Padruig O’Sullivan at Knockreer Lodge and a family fun nature day at Muckross Schoolhouse with two nocturnal nature rambles at Knockreer.

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