Rules requiring photographers to hold permits to shoot wedding photos in Killarney National Park are “really upsetting” the locals, according to the town’s mayor.

Mayor Marie Moloney said newlyweds have been approached park rangers demanding to see permits in recent weeks.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning said the rangers have told photographers the permits are needed on insurance grounds.

“Brides and grooms going down to the national park to take their wedding photographs has been the tradition in Killarney for decades upon decades,” she said.

“Local people always like to have pictures of some part of the national park in their wedding album – be it Muckross House or Ross Castle or wherever.

“But now the photographer is being asked have they insurance and permit to take photographs in the national park. Now, a lot of them don’t because they don’t even know about it.

“So, they are being asked to leave the national park and the bride and groom have to go with them and it is really, really upsetting people in the Killarney area – because for years and years they have gone down there.”

Ross Castle, Lough Leane, Killarney National Park, Co Kerry. Image: dleiva / Alamy Stock Photo

In a statement, the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government said the regulations on commercial activity in the park are longstanding – and the permits are “readily obtainable.”

Cllr Moloney said permits and insurance are the last things on a couple’s mind when organising their wedding.

“What they want to know is that the photographer has a good camera and that their photographs won’t be lost or destroyed,” she said. “That is the most paramount for people getting married.

“They never even think about having to get a permit to go and take a photograph.

“What will be next? Will we have to have a permit to take a photograph inside in Killarney town to indemnify the council?

“It is all about indemnifying the minister and the same photographer could walk down there tomorrow morning and take photographs and he wouldn’t be asked for a permit.

“It is just a little bit heavy-handed and it is a bit unfair to the people of Killarney.”

Kerry County Council is now writing to park management to convey its disappointment on the issue.

The letter notes that demands for permits are not acceptable as the park belongs to the people.