Minister Malcolm Noonan says he hopes "as many people as possible" get to see the white tailed eagles and their new chicks soaring through Killarney skies this summer.
The impressive raptors, which have a wing span of over six feet, have returned to nest in the old oak woods in Killarney National Park this year.
It follows a flagship reintroduction project that kicked off in 2007 with the release of 100 young white-tailed eagles in the Co Kerry park. The eagles subsequently dispersed across Ireland.
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Speaking about their return to Killarney National Park, Minister Malcolm Noonan said: "This is such fantastic news for Killarney and for these incredible birds, that they have again found sanctuary in the old oak woodlands of our national park.
"The NPWS reintroduction programme has been a great success and I hope that as many people as possible get to see them, and the new chicks, soaring in the skies this summer."
The first successful breeding since their reintroduction to Ireland happened on Lough Derg, Co Clare in 2012 and by July 2020 a small breeding population of between eight and 10 pairs had successfully fledged chicks across Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway and Tipperary.
Now in phase two, the project has seen more young eagles introduced to several sites including Lough Derg, the lower Shannon estuary and Killarney National Park from 2020-2022.
National Parks and Wildlife Service manager Éamonn Meskell says staff are "delighted" some have nested again in Killarney.
He added: "Killarney National Park is particularly suitable for White Tailed Eagles because of a readily available fish supply from the Lakes of Killarney. Also, the habitat is particularly suitable with a plentiful and healthy suite of Woodlands and suitable trees within those woodlands to accommodate White Tailed Eagle nest sites.
"The White Tailed Eagles have worked their way into the lore and culture of Killarney and many visitors to Killarney National Park experience the sight and sound of White Tailed Eagles soaring above the Lakes of Killarney and onto Tomies and Purple Mountain and also Knockrower to Molls Gap.
"This apex predator is now firmly establishing itself into the landscape and ecosystem and is a credit to the sterling work that National Parks and Wildlife Service staff have put into this project over the past 16 years."
A rare sighting of an Osprey was also recorded on the Lakes of Killarney last week.
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