News
Fresh calls for multi-storey car park in town centre
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As the busy tourism season gets into gear, further calls have been made for a solution to the town’s longstanding parking problem. Michael Healy-Rae TD recently threw his considerable weight behind the campaign, saying Killarney is ready for a multi-storey car park.
“It is many years ago that the late former mayor of the town and then Councillor Dermot O'Callaghan suggested a multi-storey car park,” he said. “The only mistake that he made was he was approximately 25-30 years ahead of his time.
“Of course, he was right. The town is ready for a multi-storey car park. Surface parking in a town that is as busy as Killarney is outdated and is a thing of the past. We have to wake up to this reality.”
According to the TEIR 1 tourism report, which was released earlier this year, increasing the town’s parking was the number one recommendation made by visitors who were polled. Improving infrastructure/reducing traffic came in at number two.
Parking was also cited as a major concern by Chamber members with 1 in 4 saying that the current situation was a barrier to tourism development.
We here at the Killarney Advertiser have been beating this drum for quite some time. Would a multi-storey car park, like the one drawn up by our designer above, be viable at the Glebe?
The new Rock Road car park is a step in the right direction but many have voiced concerns that it is too far from the town centre. Residents in Countess, which is a short walk from the middle of town, say that many people simply pull up and park for free outside their houses. In some instances, as our picture shows, these cars are blocking driveways. Not only does this highlight the lack of suitable parking in Killarney, it also shows how keen visitors to are to park as close as possible to the centre of town.
“We have the finest town, the best of facilities, the beauty of a National Park adjacent to it, and great people working together to provide what is a first class service,” Healy-Rae added. “But we have to have the infrastructure in place to cater for the people that are and will be coming over the years.
“We must remember that our locals are also suffering, with large queues of cars every day trying to manoeuvre around the town. We have excellent public representatives in our local authority and we all need to unite in addressing this most serious issue in the future.”
Town encouraged to wear bright colours for Kevin
The town of Killarney was encouraged to wear its brightest colours this week to honour the memory of one of its most beloved sons following the sudden and unexpected passing of Kevin Looney on Tuesday.
A familiar sight walking the streets of Killarney and his adopted home of Tralee alongside his wife Katie, Kevin was widely known for his bright personality, athletic talent, and involvement with local sports organisations.
A gifted athlete and dedicated leader, Kevin served for many years as captain of the Kerry Stars Special Olympics basketball team, leading the side to back-to-back tournament victories in Little Island, Cork, in 2023. Beyond his success on the court, he was a talented runner with an 18-minute 5k record, a keen soccer player with ambitions for Kerry FC, and a head designer who created custom sports gear for his clubs.
Tributes have poured in for the young man, whose kindness, dedication, and enthusiasm left a lasting mark on teammates, coaches, and the wider community.
Kevin is survived by his wife Katie, his mother Carmel, his sisters Selina, Carmel-Ann, and Frankie, his brothers Darren and Tommy-Dan, his granddad Dan McCarthy, and his nephews Sean, Noah, and Theo, along with his extended family, neighbours, and friends.
His removal took place on Thursday evening at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney. Funeral mass takes place this morning, Friday, at 10am at St Mary’s Cathedral, with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
Mourners attending the service have been asked to wear bright colours in Kevin’s memory. Family flowers only, with donations in lieu, if desired, to Epilepsy Ireland.
Killarney National Park Autumn Talks up and running
Following a successful opening presentation by award-winning photographer James Crombie on the mesmerising starling murmuration’s of Lough Ennell, the 38th annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series continues next week with a focus on Irish biodiversity.
The lineup for Thursday, October 15, features guest speaker Professor Grace McCormack of University College Galway, who will present a talk on “The Importance of Native Honeybees and Other Pollinators and Current Threats to Their Survival”.
Prof. McCormack’s address will explore the vital role native bees play in local ecosystems, the environmental pressures threatening their populations, and the conservation efforts required to ensure their survival.
Last night’s (October 8) opening talk, saw Inpho Sports Photography staff photographer James Crombie kick off the six-week series.
Crombie, named Irish Press Photographer of the Year in 2021, 2022, and 2025, shared the story behind his famous images documenting Westmeath’s starling displays, which reached millions of viewers worldwide.
The Autumn Talks Series runs weekly for six weeks in the Killarney House Auditorium (V93 HE3C) at 8.00pm. Admission is free, though seating is limited. All presentations are also live streamed via the Killarney National Park Facebook page.
MESMERISING NATURE: Multi-award-winning photographer James Crombie, who opened the 38th annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series with a presentation on his famous starling murmuration photographs.
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