UK specialists train fire crews to prevent future Park devastation

A specialist UK company spent the week training local fire staff to help prevent a repeat of the 2021 devastating fire in Killarney National Park.

| By Sean Moriarty

Staff within Killarney National Park began training with Rob Gazzard who is a chartered forester and surveyor with international experience in forestry, contingency planning, incident management and wildfires.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) purchased vehicles fitted with water pumps, and with the latest technology including thermal surveillance, drone operator and helicopter on standby, it will ensure the response from emergency crews is immediate.

In April 2021, fires tore through Killarney National Park causing extensive damage. Up to one third of the Park - approx. 2,500 hectares – was scorched with flora and fauna wiped out. Some fires came as close as 10 metres to a church and school in the Black Valley area. Fire crews from five different districts concentrated on the area which also saw properties under threat. The Park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Re- serve in 1982 and forms part of a Special Area of Conservation. It is of high ecological value because of the quality, diversity, and extensiveness of many of its habitats and the wide variety of species that they accommodate. It also has the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland. “We are liaising with four international groups on best practices, early smoke and fire detection appliances capable of spotting a fire outbreak, will ensure our staff and Kerry County Council Fire Services will be able to respond and prevent a repeat of the 2021 devastation in the Park, when over 2,500 hectares were destroyed," said Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Southern Division, Eamonn Meskell.

"NPWS management and staff meet regularly with the fire services and a detailed safety plan of the Park is ready.

“A helicopter company is on retainer, in the event of another fire it will carry specialised Bambi buckets, capable of delivering water for aerial firefighting.”

Brian taking on toughest foot race on Earth

| By Michelle Crean

With searing temperatures of up to 50 degrees in the Sahara Desert - local fitness expert Brian Foley is planning to take on what is regarded as the toughest foot race on Earth.

Brian, who runs Activate Fitness on the Ballycasheen Road, is currently putting in hours of gruelling training every week for the six day 251km Marathon Des Sables event.

He's heading off on April 20, starting the ultra marathon the next day. This multi-day race is held every year in southern Morocco with the longest single stage 91km.

"It’s roughly six marathons in six days in the desert, around 50° heat at the height of the day and around 5° at night," Brian, who writes a regular fitness column for the Killarney Advertiser, said. The race is self supported, so he'll be carrying everything except water which is supplied.

"It's a big undertaking. I plan to have around 10kg weight on my back."

Brian set up 'Marathons for the Mind' as he wanted to help raise awareness of mental health issues and to raise funds for the vital services that some amazing mental health charities provide. So far he has raised just under €2,000 of his €5,000 target.

"The whole idea came about eight years ago when I was chatting to a girl in Australia. I did an ultramarathon on the Great Ocean Road. Then between lockdowns and having our first child last year it spurred me on a bit."

January 2022 was the beginning of the gruelling plan as Brian registered for the challenge.

"I threw my hat in the ring then but it's the last five to six months that the training ramped up. I'm doing nearly 200kms a week on The Kerry Way, Rossbeigh and Banna."

He also explained that he's building his time up to four to five hours a day in the sauna to help get his body ready for the temperature in the desert.

"This might be my last big adventure," Brian, who is due his second child this August with his wife Roisin, added.

They're holding a table quiz next Wednesday night in the Brehon at 7.30pm.

It’s €40 for a table of 4 with plenty of spot prizes on the night.

To follow Brian's journey go to Instagram: 'Marathons for the Mind'.

To make a donation go to GoFundMe: Mental Health Charities (Pieta & YSPI).

SECRET: Killarney directors and actors Luke Courtney, Ben Bowler, Mikie Galvin and Ellen O’Shea will have to wait until Wednesday to see how they fared in a national young filmmakers competition.