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A new book by Louis O’Toole – ‘Fungi Of Killarney National Park’ – (3rd left) was launched by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD. With Louis is Éamonn Meskell, Divisional Manager, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Louis’s Brother Peter O’Toole, former Conservation Ranger, Killarney National Park. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
A NEW book titled ‘Fungi of Killarney National Park’ in Killarney was launched earlier this week by Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD
Researched and produced by Louis O’Toole and published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the book is the most comprehensive inventory of fungi recorded in Killarney National Park, documenting almost 500 species of fungi through photographs and text.
The Minister launched the book at the annual National Parks and Wildlife Conference, which takes place in Killarney this year.
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He said: “We are blessed with the variety of wildlife that Ireland’s National Parks are home to, including many well-known and charismatic species. But this extraordinary book pays tribute to an often overlooked corner of the natural world: the kingdom of fungi.”
“These amazing organisms work in symbiosis with plants, recycling nutrients and supporting key ecosystem functions, and the diversity of their forms, textures and colours can be jaw-dropping. This wonderful book combines local knowledge, skilled photography and research and records 202 new specimens of fungi found in Killarney National Park.”
Éamonn Meskell, Divisional Manager, NPWS, Killarney National Park said: “Louis’s book is of enormous importance to Killarney National Park and to Ireland. There are now more records of fungi from areas of woodlands and this portrays the unique and important ecological diversity that exists in the Park”.
Louis O’Toole will speak about the book at an event during the popular Autumn Series Talks hosted each year by Killarney National Park.
This event takes place at 8pm on Thursday October 26th at Killarney House and Gardens, and will also be live streamed on Killarney National Parks Facebook Page.
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