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Landmark church undergoing €260k restoration

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UNDER RESTORATION: Derrycunnihy Church on the Moll's Gap road is undergoing a €260K facelift. Photo: Eƒamonn Mac an Bheatha

 

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By Sean Moriarty

 

A landmark 120-year-old church on the Killarney to Kenmare road is currently undergoing €260k restoration works.

 

Derrycunnihy Church, which sits about halfway between the famous tunnel and Ladies View on the Moll’s Gap road, in the heart of Killarney National Park, is managed by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

 

The Department is presently carrying out structural repairs, which is both a protected structure and has become a roost for a number of protected species including the Lesser Horseshoe Bat and a number of barn owls and swallows.

 

The condition of the historic structure had deteriorated markedly in recent years with a number of storms causing holes in the roof. The cost of the conservation project is expected to be around €260k and is being funded by both the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Historic Structures Fund of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

 

“The proposed conservation works are essential repairs to stabilise and safeguard the church with the primary focus being roof repairs including the re-slating of the roof with salvaged and new natural slate, repair of distinctive historic metal ridge plates, installation of new rainwater goods, and repair of internal doors,” Máire Ní Chonghaile of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht press office told the Killarney Advertiser. “As part of the works, information panels are shortly to be erected to explain to the general public the importance of the church and the wildlife habitats. Carrying out these conservation works will safeguard the structure, which is an important part of the cultural tourism offering in Killarney.”

 

During the course of the repair programme, two training days hosted by the NPWS and Kerry County Council will be held at which the project will be presented to local architects, engineers, architectural conservation officers, third level students and local authority staff.

 

 

 

 

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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