THE DESERT SHAMROCK FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020
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Park Ranger Captures the
Beauty of Killarney A “
Ranger’s View – Killarney National Park” exhibition showcases the work of Peter O’Toole, recently retired Killarney National Park ranger. His love of the outdoors is reflected in each of the photographs he took during his 40-year career. Nature was always a part of his life growing up in the beautiful town of Killarney where his father and grandfather introduced him to the lakes and hills surrounding this town. In June 1980, he secured his ‘dream job’ as a ‘Park Constable’ later given the title ‘Conservation Ranger’. During these years Peter came to know the 26,000 acres of Killarney National Park intimately with his expertise focused on the management of the Red Deer, woodland conservation, and the ongoing control of the invasive Rhododendron. Killarney National Park has put together a beautiful photo exhibit of Peter’s photography displaying the many scenic and less known places our conservation rangers encounter daily in the Park. Peter O’Toole shares, “Several years ago, I took up landscape photography and this has given me the opportunity to
capture the beauty of Killarney throughout the seasons of the year. “All my images are taken in the area of Killarney National Park and I have found that my accumulated knowledge of the park, along with the use of my boat allows me to view and capture Killarney’s beauty from a different perspective. “From an early age I had a love of the natural world. I grew up in a time with few modern-day distractions and so my free time was spent out in the natural world. Fishing the River Deenagh, searching for bird nests, and exploring Killarney’s landscape. “My grandfather and father introduced me to Killarney’s lakes where I fished for brown trout and salmon. This experience in particular brought me closer to the natural beauty of Killarney National Park. “I regard myself as very fortunate working as a Conservation Ranger in a place which I have a deep passion and interest in.” Killarney House and Gardens— the new visitor centre and gateway to Killarney National Park, is hosting the spectacular photo collection. Info at: www.killarneynationalpark.ie
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