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1.7m visited Killarney National Park in last year

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The importance of the National Park to the Killarney economy was outlined in great detail to members of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce last week.

Members attending last Friday’s Annual General Meeting at the Killarney Avenue Hotel were told that 1.7 million people visited Killarney National Park last year.

Chamber recently engaged the services of Repucon Consulting, a company that specialises in tourism research and economic strategies.

Counters in place at the key attractions showed that 200,000 people passed through the gates of the park at Knockreer, 106,000 visited Muckross House and 56,000 people enjoyed the traditional farms at Muckross.

In addition, 55,000 people walked Dinis and a further 50,000 climbed Cardiac Hill.

“While we acknowledge that the park is important for tourism, it is just as important for everybody that lives and works in the town of Killarney and we saw that during COVID when the park was such a release for everybody,” outgoing Chamber President, Niall Kelleher, said.

“When the Chamber advocates in relation to projects for tourism it is equally important for the town’s people. What’s good for tourism is good for the town of Killarney.”

Plans in the pipeline include an upgrade of Knockreer House and its Italian-style gardens, a review of the park’s biodiversity plan, the development of a major new car park at Muckross House and Gardens and a novel project to attract more osprey birds to the park given that the species have a link with Killarney going back generations.

The glasshouses in Muckross Gardens will be upgraded, toilets for the disabled will be built at Ross Castle, a new thatched roof will be erected on Deenagh Lodge for the first time since 2008 and a signage survey will be undertaken throughout the park.

A plan to develop a new loop from Muckross to Dinis, making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists returning along the N71, is another priority.

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Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s

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Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s


World renowned Paralympian and world record holder Jason Smyth paid a visit to St Brendan’s College on Wednesday afternoon as part of a high profile visit to Killarney.


The six time Paralympic gold medallist spoke to second year students from St Brendan’s College, alongside students from neighbouring schools St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School and Killarney Community College.
The interactive talk and interview took place ahead of World Sight Day, with the legendary sprinter sharing his personal journey with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that left him legally blind at eight years old.
The Derry native, who holds the world record as the fastest Paralympian on earth over 100 metres, offered inspiring insights into overcoming physical adversity and achieving success at the highest level of world sport.
The school visit formed the opening leg of his Killarney schedule before he took centre stage later on Wednesday evening at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Smyth headlined An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth, an event organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce as part of its winter schedule, sponsored by AIB.

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Deerpark Retail Park placed on market for fifteen million euro

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Deerpark Retail Park in Killarney has officially been placed on the market with a guide price in excess of 15.4 million euro, excluding VAT.

International real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed as the sole sales agent to handle the high-profile commercial property sale on behalf of its current owner, Investcorp.

Investcorp, a global investment management firm headquartered in Bahrain, had previously acquired the prominent shopping complex.


The sale represents one of the largest commercial property offerings to launch in County Kerry this year.

Located roughly 1.3 kilometres west of Killarney town centre, the scheme enjoys strong regional connectivity and sits adjacent to independently owned operations including a Tesco Extra store, a Tesco petrol filling station, JYSK, and Aldi.


Constructed in 2006, the development extends across approximately 10,482 square metres, or 112,835 square feet.

The scheme comprises a mix of modern retail warehouse units and a complementary neighbourhood centre, offering 13 individual units in total with Part Open and Part Bulky Use planning permission.

The units range in size from 94.6 square metres up to 1,994.9 square metres. Visitors have access to approximately 248 customer parking spaces across the commercial grounds.

The park is currently 100 per cent occupied by a strong line-up of established national and international brands.

Key retail tenants include Marks & Spencer, Boots, DID Electrical, Maxi Zoo, and Mountain Warehouse.

The neighbourhood centre element accommodates service and convenience operators such as Costa Coffee, Card Factory, and Salon B.

The first-floor accommodation is fully let to Peak Performance Academy, which provides additional rental diversification.

Additionally, the scheme benefits from an agreement with Tesla to operate eight electric vehicle charging bays within the customer car park.


Commercial figures show that the property generates a total current rental income of 1,326,458 euro per annum, with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 4.45 years to break options and 6.46 years to lease expiry.

Cushman & Wakefield noted that the quoted guide price of 15.4 million euro reflects a net initial yield of 7.83 per cent, assuming standard purchaser costs of 9.96 per cent.

The selling agents highlighted that the fully occupied asset offers investors an attractive income profile alongside scope for additional income generation through parking commercialisation.

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