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Dublin’s social housing plans set precedent for St Finan’s site

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By Sean Moriarty

The Health Service Executive’s decision to handover a group of derelict houses to Fingal County Council for social housing sets a precedent that could be applied to St Finan’s Hospital.

That is according to Cllr Marie Moloney who, along with all her elected colleagues, have been pushing to find a solution for the site that has been vacant since 2012.

There is a dire need for housing in the Killarney area but despite several ideas put forward to do something with St Finan’s, so far, nothing has come to fruition.

This week 14 one hundred-year-old derelict cottages were handed over to Fingal County Council.

The north County Dublin houses were previously used to house staff at the nearby St Ita’s psychiatric hospital.

They have been vacant for over 20 years and have fallen in to a state of disrepair but Fingal County Council plans to turn them into social housing under a €4 million restoration plan.

The HSE maintains that the St Finan’s site is for sale at the full market value but so far no realistic bidder has emerged.

“If the HSE can do it there they can do it here in Killarney,” Cllr Moloney told the Killarney Advertiser.

“It is not beyond the bounds of possibility.”

While welcoming the construction of the new community hospital on the grounds of St Finan’s she has raised concerns that the HSE have yet to reveal plans for the existing District Hospital on St Margaret’s Road.

Killarney has had more than its fair share of abandoned buildings in recent years, but plans are now in place to redevelop the Áras Pádraig and Kerry ETB has ambitions to build a college campus on the site of the old Pretty Polly factory.

“The last thing Killarney needs is another idle building. I don’t know what the big secret is but the HSE won’t tell us what their plans are for the District Hospital. It is all cloak and dagger.”

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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