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THE STATE IS on track to purchase the scenic Conor Pass in the west of Kerry, The Journal understands.
The land was put on sale at the end of the summer with a guide price of €10 million.
The Conor Pass is a mountain pass in the Dingle Peninsula, which ends close to Dingle town. It is a highly scenic drive and much loved by tourists, hikers, and locals alike.
The sale of the significant land holding was advertised on the Conor Pass website and on Daft in August and described how the 1,400 acres of mature forestry, four lakes, a waterfall, salmon stream and ancient ruins were all up for grabs.
As soon as the land went up for sale, there were calls for the government to bring the land under public ownership.
While the government indicated that it would be open to buying the land, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:
“I think it’s fair to say that the state won’t be paying 10 million for it.”
He said the State would be interested in purchasing the land for a “reasonable” price.
It is understood that preliminary agreements have yet to be signed, but senior sources said “it is now approaching that point”.
Commenting on the sale, Education Minister and Kerry TD Norma Foley said:
“Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, is very positively disposed to this. It would be a significant acquisition for the state and a hugely significant acquisition for Kerry and for Kerry tourism.”
“Things are going in the right direction. It’s very positive and promising.”
Fianna Fáil spokesperson on climate action, TD Christopher O’Sullivan said the Connor Pass coming under State ownership will be a big boost for biodiversity.
“A chance to show how rewilding can and should be done,” he added, stating:
This could be a national gem.
He told The Journal that he was delighted to see the sale nearing completion, saying “it’s something I think we can all get behind”.
Meanwhile, Castleisland-Corcha Dhuibhne Councillor Breandán Fitzgerald told Radio Kerry today the purchase of Conor Pass would be like bringing Fungi the dolphin back to Dingle.
It is expected that the lands will come under the ownership of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The state currently has six national parks and recently announced plans to establish a new Boyne Valley National Park on the Dowth Hall lands in Meath.
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#COYBIG!! Onwards and Upwards!
Great start for Ireland
Congrats to all the Lads involved….
On another note.. Mary Lou has some bloody neck complaining about how she was interviewed today by Philip Boucher Hayes. She , as normal, skated around questions, wouldn’t give an answer… Honestly don’t know how she is leading a political party… It’s high time she got off the pot….
@Blue Moon: Free Palestine.
@Blue Moon: literally every politician since the dawn of time skates around answers. They are famously renowned for not giving straight answers.
@Blue Moon: every time I see and hear her on the tv I have a great urge to put my foot through it…its not healthy
@Blue Moon: what has Mary Lou to do with rugby.? Another one thinks his opinion is important.
Well done
7 out of 7
Much done more to do well done
How are all these matches going on and the games don’t start till Friday?
@Pat Barry: The games have started. But the official opening ceremony is on Friday. Daft, but that’s the way it is
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: it was very odd watching the game with the “Paris Olympics 2 days to go” in the top right corner of the screen
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Could be worse Sean.They could have started with synchronised swimming.
@Sean Buckley: an olympian regardless of the discipline its in is probably more than you’ll achieve in your life.
@Sean Buckley: That would have been better. Synchronised Swimming, Trampolining and Breaking all before the opening ceremony. Could be safely ignored.
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Google have it wrong then.
Good
Nailed on for gold medals
A disaster for Ray Ridge. He won’t be happy about that. The only thing that will put a smile on his face is for the all blacks to beat Ireland in the final game. It will restore some of his pride
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