Kerry County Council has granted 10-year planning permission for a large-scale solar farm and battery storage facility outside Milltown.

The application, lodged by Laurel Ridge Solar Farm Ltd, covers a 57-hectare site across the townlands of Ballyoughtragh South, Commons, Farranmanagh, Knocknaman, and Lisheennashingane near Milltown.

The approved development features approximately 230,000 square metres of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels, string inverters, and 14 single-storey electrical transformer stations.

An energy storage compound on site will house 36 containerised energy storage modules, nine transformers, two auxiliary transformers, spare parts storage, and an office unit.

Permission was also granted for a 38kV substation with a single-storey control building, alongside a 3.87km underground grid connection running along private lands and local roads (L11003, L8003, and L80030) to link with the existing Oughtragh 110kV substation.

Access to the site will be served by six entrances off the L11003 and L80030 roads, with one entrance reserved strictly for the temporary construction phase. A Natura Impact Statement was submitted as part of the application process.

The solar farm has been granted an operational lifespan of 40 years.

Taoiseach makes historic first visit to Beaufort schools

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin made a historic visit to St Francis Special School and St Mary’s of the Angels on Wednesday afternoon, marking the first time a serving Taoiseach has visited either Beaufort facility.

The visit followed a recent Dáil invitation extended by Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who accompanied the Taoiseach alongside local Councillor Tommy Cahill. During the tour, the Taoiseach met with management, staff, residents, and families to observe the services firsthand and discuss operational challenges.
Both Michael and Tommy Cahill welcomed the visit, emphasizing the campus’s potential to become a super respite centre of excellence for children and adults with profound disabilities.
“This was a truly historic occasion,” Deputy Cahill said. “The Taoiseach had the opportunity to see the excellent facilities on the campus first-hand and, importantly, to hear directly about the challenges and concerns they face. There is huge potential here to further develop respite and enhanced services.”
Councillor Tommy Cahill added that the visit was a significant day for service users and staff. He confirmed ongoing engagement with government departments, St John of God, the HSE, and local stakeholders to ensure the site’s full potential is realised.