Rental prices in Killarney have reached levels that many working families simply cannot afford.

Recent data shows the average monthly rent in the town now stands at €1,270, representing a nearly 13% increase year-on-year.

At the same time, the supply of long-term rental properties is extremely low.

According to Daft.ie, only five long-term rentals were listed in Killarney this week, and many of the top-priced properties are holiday lets or large multi-bed houses marketed for short-term rental.

Mayor of the Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Martin Grady, warned that the current state of the rental market is unsustainable. “Over the last two weeks I’ve been working with the fourteen families in Loretto in Killarney who have been served notices to quit their homes,” he said. “They have lived here, raised their children and contributed to our local economy for years, yet now they face having nowhere to go.”

Grady said that this is not just a local problem but one that affects the heart of the community: “The working-class families who keep our town alive are being squeezed from every direction. Access to stable long-term rental housing is falling even as the cost of living rises.”

The figures bear this out. While average rents are rising, the number of available properties remains at a historic low. Tenant guidance for Kerry indicates that typical rents for a three-bed house now range from €1,900–€2,300 per month, excluding premium holiday markets.

Residents say the result is that many people who work in Killarney cannot afford to live in the town. Some families are forced to move to lower-cost areas or commute from farther afield, which erodes community life and local support networks.

The contrast between scarce rental supply and high demand driven by tourism, employment and location is stark in Killarney. Many landlords are opting for short-term holiday lets, which typically command much higher weekly rates than long-term rentals, further reducing stock for residents.

Cllr Grady says urgent intervention is needed. He called for the case of the families in Loretto to be treated as an emergency and urged the Department of Housing and Kerry County Council to take immediate action to increase long-term rental supply in Killarney.

“As a proud town we risk hollowing out our community if people who live and work here cannot afford to stay,” Grady said.

To illustrate the gap between rental affordability and actual market conditions, the Killarney Advertiser conducted a quick survey of available properties in the area. See the sidebar for our findings.8-bed luxury house, Killarney area — est. €25,980 / month (based on €5,995 per week)

An eight-bed holiday house near Killarney is listed at €5,995 per week — an estimated €25,980 per month (5,995 × 4.33). Large group property, high-end fittings and private parking; aimed at short-term luxury lets but shows the top rental prices in the region.

Source (weekly listing): Daft.ie 5-bed lakeside villa, Muckross Road est. €17,300 / month (based on €3,995 per week) A five-bed villa on or near Muckross Road is advertised at €3,995 per week, giving an approximate €17,300 monthly rate (3,995 × 4.33). Premium lakeside location and multiple bathrooms make it one of the priciest houses available to rent short-term in Killarney.

Source (weekly listing): Daft.ie “Lavish Killarney Villa” €4,995 per week (est. €21,620 / month)
A high-end Killarney town villa is listed at €4,995 per week on a luxury self-catering site — roughly €21,620 per month when converted. Close to town and the National Park gates, this villa represents the top end of the market for furnished short-term rental homes.

Source (weekly listing): FiveStar.ie Beechwood, Kenmare €3,750 per month (long-term listing)
Beechwood in nearby Kenmare is listed as a luxury long-term rental at €3,750 per month on a luxury long-term rentals site. It’s within easy driving distance of Killarney and shows high monthly rent for premium houses in the wider region.
Source (long-term listing): Fivestar.ie

4-bed country house (c.15 minutes from Killarney) €2,350 per month
A furnished four-bedroom country house advertised as about 15 minutes’ drive to Killarney is listed at €2,350 monthly on property.ie — a top non-holiday monthly rental within the local catchment area and representative of the highest standard long-term lets near the town.
Source (monthly listing): Property.ie