Killarney Athletic AFC has been granted planning permission by Kerry County Council to significantly expand its facilities at its Woodlawn site.

The decision, finalised this week, clears the way for the club to construct a brand-new grass soccer pitch. The expansion is designed to meet the growing needs of the club’s various age groups and teams, providing much-needed additional playing space at the busy Woodlawn Road grounds.

The approved planning application includes the provision of essential infrastructure for the new development. Along with the grass surface, the project involves the installation of ball-stop netting and a secure perimeter fencing surround.

To ensure the new facility is fully integrated with the club’s current layout, the plans include the construction of a network of walkways. These paths will link the new development directly to the existing soccer pitches, ensuring safe and easy access for players, coaches, and spectators throughout the site.

Florence Sexton, from Art House in Killarney, has been named as a top prize winner in the 72nd Texaco Children’s Art Competition.

Florence was one of three Kerry students to be recognised in this year’s national contest. The nine-year-old received a Special Merit Award for her entry, which final adjudicator Pauline O’Connell described as imaginative and demonstrating high levels of skill and creativity.
The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is the longest-running arts sponsorship in Irish history, having been held every year since 1955. It continues to serve as a major platform for young artists across the country to have their talents recognised by professional curators and educators.
This year’s competition saw a high volume of entries from across the county, with Florence’s work standing out among thousands of submissions for its artistic quality. The Special Merit Award is given to students whose work shows exceptional promise and technical ability for their age group.