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Part of Ireland’s National Agri-Environment Scheme
The Munster / South Connacht Co-operation project is headed by Padraig Cronin. It has offices in Tralee, Co. Kerry and Oranmore, Co. Galway. For administrative purposes, this Co-operation project is divided into 13 regions.
The Comeragh Mountains in Co. Waterford are part of ACRES Leinster but Co-operation project activities in this part of Co. Waterford are managed out of our Tralee Office.
ACRES Munster / South Connacht is the largest and most dispersed of the Co-operation Projects. It is spread across nine counties, stretching from the Knockmealdown Mountains in Waterford to the Slieve Aughties in Galway. It contains large upland and mountainous areas including the Galtees in Limerick / Tipperary, the Stacks Mountains in Co. Kerry and Slieve Callan in Co. Clare. These areas are particularly important for many of our upland bird species, including Curlew, Merlin and Red Grouse. Most of the land designated for breeding Hen Harrier is contained in this Co-operation area and close to 1,500 farmers have had experience of the results-based approach through the Hen Harrier Project.
The Munster / South Connacht Co-operation Area contains the upper reaches of some our most important river catchments. The Lee, the Blackwater, the Suir, and important tributaries of the Shannon, including the Mulkear, and the Feale, flow through this Co-operation area.
The objectives listed are not in order of priority nor does the list include all of the objectives in each area. At a local scale there will be additional priorities.
| Kristina worked on delivering the Hen Harrier Programme, working mainly in the Slieve Aughty region since 2019. Through this, she has gained valuable experience in the running of a results-based agri-environmental scheme. She has a Masters in Biodiversity and Land Use Planning and a degree in Environmental Science, both completed in NUIG. She has a keen interest in ecosystem services, habitat restoration, farmland biodiversity and birds – particularly waders and raptors. Kristina enjoys working with farmers to support them in enhancing biodiversity on their farm. |
| Ruth has experience working on sustainable agricultural systems including High Nature Value farmland and agri-environmental scheme design from roles in research and farm advisory sectors. Ruth has a Master’s degree in Agricultural Innovation and Support and a Bachelor’s degree in Agri-Environmental Science. She has a keen interest in the sustainable development of rural areas and the conservation of farmland biodiversity. |
| Ciara has a background in Dairy farming and holds a degree in Agricultural Science from MTU. She has several years’ experience in Quality Assurance and Compliance. Ciara is passionate about building strong relationships with the farming community and working alongside them to conserve and improve farmland biodiversity and ensure a more sustainable future for farming in Ireland. |
| Kerry and has a keen interest in conservation, Irelands natural heritage and the outdoors. He holds a degree in Ecology and Environmental Biology from University College Cork Eoin hopes to carry these skills forward to work hands on with farmers and local communities |
| Kelvin is from a farming family in the Sliabh Luachra/ Mount Eagle area of Co. Kerry and has a practical knowledge of  the challenges facing HNV farmland. He has a degree in Agricultural Science from Munster Technical University and has experience working in the environmental monitoring and soil testing sectors. Kelvin is excited about the opportunity to engage and educate farmers and the wider community on issues such as water quality, nutrient management and peatland restoration. |
| Daniel holds a degree in Agricultural Science from MTU. He is passionate about farming and protecting High Nature Value Farmland. He is keen on building a strong relationship with farmers and the community within the Co-operation areas. With a background in Dairy and Beef farming he also has an interest in improving the sustainability of Irish farms that supports healthy ecosystems services. |
| Keith has a degree in Environmental Science from NUIG. Keith has 2 years’ experience in ecological consultancy where he specialised in bat survey techniques and habitat improvement on a local scale. Keith has a strong focus on educating farmers on improving biodiversity while also improving the economic value of their farmland |
| Shane holds a degree in Environmental science from University of Galway. He is passionate about farming and educating farmers on how to protect high nature value farmland. Shane aims to use his skills from Environmental science and own farming background to help local communities and farmers to enhance their environment. |
| Ivor Palmer is from Fermoy, Co Cork. Professionally, He experience in water pollution, water quality and fisheries regulation through working with governmental agencies and environmental consultants. Ivor has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Freshwater and Marine Biology (BSc). He has a particular interest in the ecology and rehabilitation of streams and rivers. Ivor has a passion for nature and the outdoors. |
| Chloe has a degree in Agricultural Science from MTU. She is also farming in an ACRES Co-operation area in the south of the country giving her practical knowledge of the farming systems in that area. With a background in both Dairy and Beef farming, Chloe enjoys working and engaging with farmers on the ground, supporting them in carrying out their farming practices while also sustaining the invaluable High Nature Value farmlands these farmers operate on. |
| Tracy holds both a degree and a PhD in Environmental Science. Her PhD examined the potential of using slug-killing flies as biocontrols. She has a strong desire to use her experience in assisting High Nature Value farmland farmers in the adoption of practices that are conducive to their livelihood and beneficial to the environment. Her interests also include sustainable living and the circular economy. |
The ACRES Munster / South Connacht Co-operation Project is based in Kerry Technology Park, Innovation Works 1, Dromtacker, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 KF76. Their phone number is (066) 7127399.
A northern office dealing with farmers in the Galway, Clare and the Slievefelims in Tipperary, operate from our head office in Unit 2 Oran Point, Main St., Oranmore, Co. Galway. They can be contacted at (091) 792865.
The Comeraghs are part of ACRES Leinster but local Co-operation Project activities in this part of Co. Waterford are managed out of the Tralee Office.
