Mountain Grove Annagh More is unique because it is located within The Kerry Biosphere Reserve. The picture is behind our house, where families have lived and worked for ages.
We are aware that we live and work in this unique place. We strive to keep our ecological footprint as low as possible. We would also like to share our knowledge and experience with the Mountain Grove attendees.
Kerry UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
The Kerry Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve located in County Kerry, Ireland. It was established in 1986 and covered an area of approximately 700 square kilometres.
The reserve is divided into three zones: a core area, a buffer zone, and a transition zone.
The core area is the most strictly protected. It is the area of the Killarney National Park.
The buffer zone lies east and west of the National Park core area. It encompasses the Paps Mountains area, where Mountain Retreat Annagh is situated. On the other side of the National park is the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range, which includes Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil.
The transition zone is the outermost zone and includes areas that are predominantly used for human activities, such as agriculture and forestry.
The Kerry Biosphere Reserve is home to diverse habitats, including mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and wetlands. These habitats support many plant and animal species, many of which are rare or endangered.
The reserve is also home to several communities traditionally living off the land, including farmers, fishermen, and foresters. These communities play an essential role in managing the reserve, and their traditional knowledge and practices are incorporated into conservation efforts.
Overall, the Kerry Biosphere Reserve is an important area for conservation and sustainable development, and it serves as a model for how humans can live in harmony with nature.
You are welcome to stay and enjoy the hospitality on our working smallholding farm in this unique area.