O’Loughlin demands ‘national park’ status for The Curragh

THE sitting senator in Kildare South, Fiona O’Loughlin, has issued three letters to two government ministers and to Kildare County Council, outlining the urgent need to include illegal hunting in the plan to give the Curragh Plains national park status.

A plan on the future of the 2,000Ha (5,000 acre) amenity was originally scheduled for publication in the autumn of 2022, precipitated by a document commissioned by Kildare County Council arising from the Curragh Forum, which had been established in 2016 by the Department of Defence.

This in itself was prompted by the outcry which followed the illegal dumping of tons of builders’ rubble in Donnelly’s Hollow back in 2016, which drew an astonishing 3,800 public submissions – a number unheard of in public consultations at a county level.

However, this report was shelved by the Department of Defence – the agency that currently controls the plains – only for it to release the document ‘The Curragh Plains – a reflection in potential’ in December 2024.

Senator O’Loughlin’s letters follow the circulation of photographs on online groups showing significant damage to parts of The Curragh, where large burrows and holes have been dug across the area to capture rabbits and badgers, causing serious concern about the long-term preservation of this unique landscape.

Writing to the minister of state for nature, heritage and biodiversity Chris O’Sullivan, and to the minister for defence, senator O’Loughlin emphasised the need to accelerate commitments contained in the Programme for Government.

The senator outlined that this programme agreed that the conservation plan for The Curragh would be implemented, including a management plan to ensure its preservation, with careful consideration given to which agency would be best suited to oversee this historic landscape.

“This is one of the reasons The Curragh has to be monitored appropriately, because it’s not being managed properly,” said senator O’Loughlin.

“To be honest, it was the illegal encampments and the waste dumping that were the main issues here initially, but then the ‘Save the Curragh Plains’ group showed me these pictures of the illegal hunting. This is one of the reasons we need The Curragh to be called a national park.

“The National Parks and Wildlife Service would be in charge. I think they’d be best to look after this, rather than the Office of Public Works (OPW), and the taoiseach – when he was minister for defence – felt this was the best way, as well.

“The Curragh is the heart of Kildare. Nearly every person in the area has a special fondness for it, and that needs to be protected,” the Kildare senator stated.

Senator O’Loughlin explained that designating The Curragh as a national park would provide it with significant protections and a dedicated agency to oversee and safeguard it.

“National park status would also encourage responsible tourism and community involvement and unlock resources for trails, signage and proper parking.

“The Curragh is one of the jewels in Kildare’s crown. It should be promoted across the country so people are encouraged to visit. The joy it offers should be shared beyond Kildare, and to achieve this, it needs the investment and support that national park status would bring.” 

Ms O’Loughlin said The Curragh is Ireland’s largest inland open plain and one of the largest in Europe.

It is also one of the most extensive areas of ancient grassland, making its conservation and preservation essential.

“It is not just about preserving land; it is about honouring Ireland’s natural and cultural heritage and ensuring its future legacy.

“Making The Curragh a national park is the best way to do that.”