Guest blog: Natural Capital or Cultural Cost? The future of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara

A new Trinity College Dublin module, The Business of Nature Positive, co-ordinated by NCI's Dr Catherine Farrell, Assistant Professor, Business and Nature in Trinity Business School, explores ways for final-year undergraduate business students to support the transition to nature positive in the private sector. We are delighted to share a guest article by Siofradh McEvoy, Senior Sophister student in Business, Economics, Political Science and Sociology (BESS), on the future of the natural capital of Ireland's newest national park...

Natural Capital or Cultural Cost? The future of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara:

'Glistening oceans, rugged shorelines, and ancient ecosystems barely begin to encompass the natural beauty of Co Kerry. This location holds fond childhood memories of my own summer escapes to Dingle and Dun Quin. However, beyond nostalgia, it’s no secret that this region possesses some of Ireland's most valuable natural capital, accumulated over thousands of years.

Despite a population of around 1,200 (Irish Tourism, 2025), the Dingle Peninsula teems with tourists during weekends and summer months, boosting local economies. Still, concerns are regularly raised about the negative impact this influx has on biodiversity and fragile ecosystems. Naturally, this tension created space for innovation, prompting the government to seek a solution that leverages Kerry’s natural capital, continuing to attract tourists while safeguarding precious marine landscapes. The outcome lies in a bold new blueprint: Ireland’s first Marine National Park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara.

Spanning 70,000 acres of land and sea (Sheehy, 2024), from the recently state-acquired Conor Pass (O'Sullivan & Lucey, 2024) to the Blasket Islands, the park aims to strike a new balance between conservation and commerce. Attention surrounding the area isn’t unusual as it had already been flagged by the environmental coalition Fair Seas as a potential Marine Protected Area (Trá, 2024). However, a specific aim of the new plan is to support the EU’s Nature Restoration Law, which mandates restoration of 20% of degraded ecosystems by 2030, with full coverage targeted by 2050 (Directorate-General for Environment, 2024).

While the park promises to conserve biodiversity and attract sustainable tourism, it also raises alarm bells. Fishermen, farmers, and local communities worry about its impact – will it restore ecosystems and bolster local economies, or will it erode hidden gems and Gaeltacht traditions?

To understand the potential outcomes, we must look to precedent. Have national parks achieved their goals elsewhere? What do regenerative tourism initiatives reveal? And how has tourism impacted Kerry in the past?

For this marine park to succeed where others have stumbled, it must be more than just a protected zone. It needs to be a dynamic, inclusive initiative shaped by the people who call the coastline home. Insights from case studies in Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Thailand, and Cambodia reveal a clear lesson: inclusive governance, regenerative tourism, and adaptive management are not optional; they are mandatory.

By honouring local knowledge, supporting traditional livelihoods, and embedding community voices at every level of policy, the government can transform the park from a potential point of tension into a model of innovation. Whether this becomes a story of resilience or resistance will depend on the choices made now...

Download the full article, including case study references, below:

BNP Article - Siofradh McEvoy - 21364712.pdf

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