The eagle chicks, eaglets, did not fly over themselves but were transported onboard an Air France-CityJet-sponsored flight directly from Trondheim, Norway. The eaglets are from four to nine weeks old. They will have a minimum contact with their carers to prepare them for the wild, including being held in cages that do not allow any eye contact even during feeding and will be cared for in Killarney National Park until they are ready to be released. Approximately 5 weeks after arriving they will be fully fledged and the aim is to get them to breed here.
The goal is to import around 100 eaglets to Ireland over a 5 year period.
There are cultural benefits of having the eagles back, and it will also help fulfil part of Ireland's commitment to maintain and enhance its native wildlife. In addition, the project is also hoping for a long term benefit for Kerry tourism, based on the knowledge that the sea eagles attract thousands of visitors to Scotland every year.
But not all welcomed the new "countrymen". Some farmers protested at the airport, fearing that the eagles will take lambs when they are released.