Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Monuments.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

281 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the sites in Tralee, County Kerry, and its environs which are of interest to her Department including buildings, monuments and areas of historic interest. [29879/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

There are a number of sites, covering both the built and natural heritage, in and around the Tralee area that are of interest to my Department. I have listed them under the following headings. If the Deputy has a particular interest in any of the sites listed I will be happy to supply him with more detailed information on them. They are as follows:

National Monuments

Ardfert Cathedral lies just north of Tralee town has undergone a major programme of conservation and restoration to the Nave.

Ardfert Friary was founded probably in 1253 for the Franciscans. The tower was turned into a barracks in Elizabethan times but was later taken over by the Protestant bishop for religious use.

Rathass Church is located in the grounds of an old cemetery in Tralee. It contains a number of interesting features among them the flat headed west doorway and the round headed window in the east wall with its Romanesque moulding.

Architectural Inventory

Under the provisions of the Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1999, a nationwide survey is currently being carried out by my Department to help identify structures and buildings which are of architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. A draft survey covering Tralee will be completed next year. This will inform my recommendations to Tralee Urban District Council relating to the inclusion of individual structures in the record of protected structures.

Record of Monuments and Places in County Kerry

A record of monuments and places, a RMP, has been established under section 12 of the National Monuments (amendment) Act, 1994, in respect of all known archaeological sites and monuments. Under the RMP the historic core of Tralee is listed as an area of archaeological potential. In addition, there are a large number sites and monuments within the historic core of Tralee which are also included in the RMP and are thus indicative of the rich archaeological heritage of the area.

Nature Reserves in County Kerry

There are a total of 15 nature reserves in County Kerry. Two of them, Tralee Bay and Derrymore island, are geographically close to Tralee.

Tralee Bay comprises of 754.53 hectares and is situated on the north side of the Dingle Peninsula and west of Tralee. It is of international importance for waterfowl especially the wintering populations of Brent geese that it supports. It was established on l6 May l989 and is State owned.

Derrymore Island comprises of l06.07 hectares and is situated in Tralee Bay. It is a compound spit composed of a series of pebble beaches, one of the best spits in Ireland. It sup ports many rare plant communities mainly of a salt marsh type. Wigeon and brent geese graze the salt marsh on the eastern side of the spit. The white top of the spit is an important high tide roosting area for shore birds. It was established l6 May l989 and is privately owned. It is managed in agreement with my Department.

Sites proposed for designation under the EU Habitats Directive

The following sites in the vicinity of Tralee, which are of ecological importance, have been proposed for designation under the EU Habitats Directive:

Ballyseedy Wood cSAC (Site Code 2112) lies south of the River Lee, some 2 km south-east of Tralee, County Kerry. The wood is of prime importance for its Alder-Ash dominated woodland stands, a habitat that is rare and threatened in Europe and listed, with priority status, on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. The site is also of significance for the several rare or scarce plant species that occur.

Tralee Bay and Magharees Peninsula cSAC (Site Code 2070) is of considerable ecological and conservation significance for the excellent diversity of habitats it contains, including fixed dune and lagoon. The presence of a number of Red Data Book species includes the largest population of Natterjack Toads in Ireland. The site includes two statutory nature reserves, Tralee Bay and Derrymore Island, and much of the estuarine part of the site has been designated an SPA under the Birds Directive.

Slieve Mish cSAC (Site Code 2185) is a large site to the south of the town. The site contains a good population of Killarney Fern, a species that is listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive. Two other plants that are also listed in the Irish Red Data Book occur, namely Betony and Cornish Moneywort. Peregrines breed on cliffs within the site and Chough are known to feed in the area. Both of these species are listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive.

Cultural Development Incentives Scheme 1999-2000

Under this scheme a grant of £700,000 was allocated to the Jeanie Johnson Project.