Killarney's "grand master" spotted in National Park

By Michelle Crean

It was a wow moment for one well-known local photographer when he captured what was the shot of a lifetime – the largest deer ever found in the National Park.

Former conservation ranger Peter O’Toole captured the grand master stag last Thursday morning in a rural part of the park.

“When I photographed this magnificent native red deer stag early I knew that he was something special,” Peter told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I have been around and worked with native red deer as a conservation ranger in Killarney National Park for many years, but I can honestly say that this stag is the largest I have ever seen.”

Peter said the deer has 21 points on his antlers and is larger in body size compared to the usual mature native stag who typically has between 12 and 14 points.

“A master stag is a stag that is dominant during the mating season (rut), he will ward off all challengers and will successfully mate with hinds. I gave this magnificent specimen the title of Grand Master as he has no equal in the wild native red deer population in Killarney National Park.”