News
Land provision for over 4,000 housing units in Killarney
Members of Kerry County Council today adopted a variation to the current Kerry County Development Plan which has zoned sufficient residential and employment lands to meet the future development needs of the Killarney Municipal District.
In terms of lands available for employment, there are now approximately 75 hectares of undeveloped lands across the Municipal District. With respect to lands for residential development, there are now about 95 hectares of new or proposed residential lands available within the Municipal District. These lands have the potential to accommodate 4,415 units.
The newly adopted plan aims to set out a comprehensive local planning framework with clear policies and objectives including land use zoning, in the interests of the common good. The successful implementation of the Plan will have a positive impact on the Killarney MD, ensuring it develops in a sustainable manner.
In conjunction with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework (NPF), the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (RSES) and the Kerry County Development Plan 2022 – 2028 (KCDP), this Variation will complete the planning framework for the area and complement the implementation of the policies and objectives contained in these higher-level plans.
The principal town in the Municipal District is Killarney which is designated as a Key Town in the Regional Spatial Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (RSES) and the Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028 (KCDP).
Rathmore, Barraduff and Kilcummin occupy important roles as District Towns for the area as identified in the County Development Plan.
Developers urged to act as deadline looms for Killarney affordable housing
Kerry County Council has issued a final call to developers to submit expressions of interest for affordable housing and turnkey acquisitions in Killarney. The deadline for submissions is set for 4:00 pm. on Friday, February.
According to the CEO report presented at Monday's full council meeting in Tralee, the council is seeking developers for turnkey acquisitions across the county, as well as specific affordable housing submissions for Killarney and Tralee.
These initiatives are aimed at increasing the local housing supply through advance purchase arrangements for residential developments.
Enquiries regarding the Turnkey Open Call can be made to turnkey@kerrycoco.ie, while those interested in the Affordable Housing call should contact affordablehousing@kerrycoco.ie.
Speaking after the meeting, the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Martin Grady, made a strong appeal to developers to engage with the scheme before the February deadline. He esiad that the current shortage of affordable options is pricing a specific group of residents out of the town.
“Killarney is currently experiencing a serious shortage of affordable homes, especially for individuals and families who do not qualify for social housing because they are above the income threshold, yet still cannot afford to purchase a home on the open market,” Mayor Grady said.
He added that this gap in the market is having a "profound impact" on young families and first-time buyers who want to remain in Killarney but are struggling with escalating house prices and the high cost of living. "I wish to strongly encourage developers to express their interest in developing affordable housing on suitable sites within the town," he siad.
Book launch: Sister completes late brother’s Shipping Forecast sea kayak challenge
A unique book promotional event will take place in the Beaufort Bar next week, telling the story of a sister who took to the sea to complete her late brother’s extraordinary adventure.
Katie Carr will speak at the Beaufort venue on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:30pm to launch her most recent book, Thundery at Times. The book follows her journey to honour her brother, Toby, who passed away in the middle of his challenge to paddle in every sea area of the BBC Shipping Forecast. Despite having never been in a sea kayak before, Katie decided to take over the expedition and finish what he started.
The upcoming talk connects her new perspective with her earlier work, Moderate Becoming Good Later, which she wrote in Toby’s voice as a tribute to his determination. Her latest book looks at the intense physical and emotional challenges of taking on the journey herself.
Six of the famous BBC Shipping Forecast area, Fastnet, Irish Sea, Shannon, Rockall, Malin, and Lund, reach the Irish coast. Five of the book’s chapters are set in Ireland, including a dedicated chapter on Kerry, making her upcoming visit to the county particularly meaningful.
The launch is being highlighted locally by Donal Dowd of Coolcaslagh, the retired Director of Cappanalea OETC, who accompanied Katie on the water during her journey.
“I accompanied Katie on one of her trips while she was completing the Shannon section, which commences in Valentia and stretches up as far north as Connemara in west Galway,” Donal said. “I encourage members of the public to attend what will be an entertaining event, as Katie is a most entertaining speaker, has great slides and video footage, and has a very interesting story to tell.”
The evening will include readings from the book, reflections on the writing and paddling processes, an audience question-and-answer session, and a book signing. Admission is open to all members of the public.
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