Wild Nephin is twinning with Yosemite

Wild Nephin National Park has been twinned with the world-famous Yosemite National Park in California.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage, and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, made the announcement at a special event at a Wild Nephin National Park site at Srahmore.

The ministerial visit also coincided with the completion of the restoration of a pre-Famine cottage located deep in the wilds of Srahmore under the brow of Nephin and situated close to the Letterkeen Loop Walk.

The cottage was formerly home to the McCann family who sadly died in their home in the Srahreevagh Valley during the Great Famine.

The cottage has been lovingly restored from little more than rubble. Minister Noonan unveiled a plaque dedicated to the McCann family located inside the rejuvenated abode.

The cottage can now serve as a lasting memorial to the McCann family and a place of shelter for visitors to the area.

“Every one of these cottages tells a story. They remind us of the places people once lived in and the times that they lived in,” said Minister Noonan.

“This cottage was home to the McCann family who lived here during one of the darkest times in our history when starvation and death were everywhere through these valleys,” he added.

Burrishoole man Frank McManamon was one of those responsible for the restoration work on the cottage. He said the McCann family’s sad story has been retold in the area.

Mr McManamon explained that a local man called James Connolly had leased land in the area and brought food to the McCanns during the Famine, keeping them alive. 

However, his father fell ill with typhoid while delivering cattle to Cong and died. James was called away to see his father and by the time he returned to his holding, the McCanns had died.

Minister Noonan said the cottage is a reminder of a time when people were forced to leave Ireland and make a new life in places like America. He said the twinning of Wild Nephin and Yosemite shines a light on those deep connections.

“Our parks are not identical and differ greatly in terms of size and geographical features. They both, however, represent a dedication to protecting nature, preserving natural beauty and offering opportunities for visitors to connect and appreciate the wonders of the natural world,” said Minister Noonan.

The exciting Sister Park agreement between Yosemite and Wild Nephin will enable international co-operation between both parks to support their shared goals in nature conservation and promoting natural and cultural tourism. 

Activities under the arrangement will include information exchange, collaboration and sharing good practices in areas such as community engagement, cultural and visitor service management, forestry and fire management, wilderness and dark sky management and climate change.

Denis Strong, Senior Divisional Manager with the National Parks and Wildlfe Service said the twinning represents an exciting "new chapter".