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Killarney town and park to merge in County Development Plan

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By Sean Moriarty

Kerry County Council has commenced work on the drafting of the new County Development Plan for Kerry to cover the six-year period from 2022 to 2028 - including potential plans for Killarney and its environs.

The plan will set out how the county is promoted and regulated over the six-year period and is now open for public consultation and observation.

One of the biggest ideas being mooted for the Killarney urban area is to seamlessly integrate the National Park with the town centre which could be achieved by increasing pedestrian zones and reducing the amount of through-traffic in the town and the transition from car predominance to pedestrian priority. There is also a proposition to create a dedicated cultural and art/craft quarter in the town.

“The vision for Killarney seeks to mirror the world class natural environment that is Killarney National Park with an exceptional urban experience that sets Killarney apart as a world class tourism destination and seeks to interweave the fabric of the Urban Core of Killarney seamlessly into the National Park through a series of measures that removes as far as possible transitory traffic from the urban core,” reads a Kerry County Council official document relating to the development plan that was seen by the Killarney Advertiser.
The plan hopes to develop Killarney into a world class tourist destination.

Urban renewal is another key factor in the plan and vacant town centre buildings (both residential and commercial) is another issue the plan is keen to address.
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is calling on Kerry people across all walks of life throughout the county to engage with the public consultation phase of the new County Development Plan.

“The County Development Plan is vital to the future success of the county and can only be enhanced when individuals and community groups make themselves heard. It is safe to say this is a real chance for every part of Kerry to place their community into the big picture,” he said.
Healy-Rae has encouraged people to engage either with their local public representatives or with the Council directly online, via email or by post.

“If you have an idea or a plan to improve your community, if you want to make a positive contribution to the county or if you are just an individual who feels that something can be done better, make sure your voice is heard. We are all in this together,” added the Kerry TD.

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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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