Connect with us

News

Outdoor dining grants set to revitalise tourism

Published

on

B

By Sean Moriarty

 

Killarney businesses will be able to apply to Kerry County Council for grants to encourage outdoor dining as part of a national programme to reopen the country. Hospitality sector business will be able to claim €4,000 or 75 percent of the cost of outdoor furniture like seating and tables and other fixtures like external heaters.

It was announced earlier this week that a total of €17m is being made available nationally under a two-part scheme which will be delivered in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities.

Part One of the scheme will provide funding for individual tourism and hospitality businesses to develop and increase their own outdoor seating capacity.

Funding allocated under Part Two will enable Local Authorities to develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces in towns and urban centres, similar to those that exist in various European cities.

Cllr Michael Gleeson has previously called for such a public scheme to be created in Killarney and he pushed for this even before the pandemic brought the idea of outdoor dining to the fore.

“Prior to the abolition of town councils we looked at this a lot. A factory in Germany was visited but it all went on the backfoot,” he told the Killarney Advertiser. “It is amazing how these things come the full circle and is back on the agenda again. I would welcome such a move, it would greatly enhance the ambience of our town for locals and visitors alike.”

At the time of Gleeson’s first proposal in 2013 a local engineer, Paudie O’Mahoney, devised a plan to keep the rain off of tourists and locals alike.

It included placing an ‘artificial roof’ over the streets of Killarney which can be removed in the summer when the weather is nice and put back up when it’s raining.

Kerry County Council’s Chief Executive Moira Murrell, is also Chair of the Rural Development, Community, Tourism, Culture and Heritage Committee, the national body behind the scheme.

“We look forward to creating outdoor dining experiences around the country that not only benefit locals, but are also attractive to domestic and overseas visitors when the sector reopens," she said. "Developing outdoor infrastructure is a key element of answering the consumer demand for more flexible dining options.”

Advertisement

News

Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

Published

on

By

Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

Continue Reading

News

How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

Published

on

By

Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport