The last remaining lands in Killarney owned by an American business and philanthropic family have been handed over to the State, writes Anne Lucey in Killarney
The 8.5 hectares (21 acres) of woodland at Reen, Ross Road, have been bequeathed to the State by the late Mary Horstmann McShain, the widow of John McShain, who was once one of America's biggest building contractors. Mrs McShain died in 1998.
Her executors recently contacted the National Parks and Wildlife Service with news "of this generous bequest", the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche, said yesterday.
The Government had approved the acceptance of the bequest and the lands will now form part of the 10,000-hectare (25,000-acre) Killarney National Park, he said.
Much of the Killarney National Park already comprises lands that once belonged to the McShain family and includes such landmarks as Ross Castle and Inisfallen Island, presented to the State in 1973.
In 1979, the McShains sold some 8,000 acres of woodland, mountain and lake to the State for far less than their market value, on condition they formed part of the national park in perpetuity.
Mr Roche yesterday praised the generosity and loyalty of the McShain family to Killarney.
"In bequeathing this significant tract of land to the Irish nation the late Mrs Horstmann McShain was faithful to the loyalty and dedication which the McShain family has always demonstrated to the town of Killarney and to Ireland.
"It gives me great pleasure to warmly acknowledge her generosity and to accept this very generous bequest on behalf of the Irish people.
"It is an act of civic benevolence that will be appreciated and remembered particularly by the people of Killarney and Co Kerry for many years to come."
In recent years an adjoining five acres at Ross Road had been the subject of much controversy when the McShain estate sought a rezoning from amenity to residential.
Town councillors were deeply divided on the issue but a majority voted in favour of the proposal. The five acres were afterwards sold and are now the subject of a planning appeal.