The Work of a Park Ranger

Recording water data (photo Paudie O'Leary)

Seven full-time park rangers are employed in Killarney National Park to facilitate the day to day operations of the National Park and to help out on some of the scientific research programmes taking place, as well as assisting in the monitoring of habitats within the Park.

The specific functions of the park ranger staff are many and varied, and include:

  • Monitoring of water quality and the collection of water samples (which are taken from various depths and in various parts of the lake system, including feeder rivers).

  • Deer management, including tagging and culling operations.

  • Scientific research into the ecology of the area (eg. bird studies such as ringing programmes).

  • Assisting in Rhododendron control.

  • The development and construction of paths and boardwalks to minimise ecosystem damage in heavily visited areas.

  • Liaising with neighbouring landowners and with the local community in general.

  • Providing assistance to Park Visitors and assisting in the security of the Park.

  • Providing assistance and advice for visiting students carrying out research projects in the Park.

Preparing to airlift path construction materials with help from volunteers (photo Brendan O'Shea) Releasing a stag entangled in vegetation (photo Paudie O'Leary)
Relocating a tranquilised stag (photo Paudie O'Leary) Taking a core sample on Tower Bog (photo Mike Sandover)



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