Firefighters from Bagenalstown Fire Brigade were called out to the remnants of a large gorse fire close to the Nine Stones area on Mount Leinster on Tuesday night.

Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service has said that despite numerous appeals, a number of individuals continue to intentionally light fires on Mount Leinster and the Blackstairs Mountains.

A passing snow shower helped firefighters tackle the fast-moving gorse fire, which was driven by strong winds and was visible across Co Carlow.

“As well as being damaging to plant and animal life, these fires release enormous volumes of smoke, carbon dioxide and other pollutants which are harmful to the atmosphere,” Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service said.

“This fire burned very close to the popular Nine Stones car park, which will result in an unsightly scar on the landscape adjacent to this natural beauty spot for the remainder of the summer months.”