BREAKING: Move finally underway at new Killarney Community Nursing Unit

The HSE has confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser that the long-awaited move to the new Killarney Community Nursing Unit is officially underway.

Earlier today, HSE staff began transferring resident belongings and medical equipment into the newly built multimillion-euro facility on Lewis Road. The phased relocation of residents from St Columbanus Home and Killarney District Hospital will take place over the coming days, with the first residents expected to be settled into the new hospital by the end of this week.

This development marks a major step forward for the facility after a long series of false starts, including a recently missed target date of Monday, August 10.

In a statement issued today, the HSE confirmed the commencement of the transfer and outlined the scale of the operation.

“HSE South West is this week beginning the process of moving to Killarney Community Nursing Unit, on a phased basis,” the statement read. “This is a significant logistical operation, involving the move of a significant number of residents with varying levels of needs. There are a number of factors which will affect how long the move will take, however we are working to move all residents safely and in the shortest possible timeframe.”

Private dog park to open near Gap of Dunloe

Killarney and its surrounding areas are set to gain a long-awaited dog park, though the new facility will be a privately operated venture rather than a municipal amenity.

Located in the Gap of Dunloe near Kate Kearney’s Cottage (Eircode V93 K7N2), the enclosed park has been designed to provide a safe space for dogs to run freely.
Co-owner Declan Casey said that the facility will cater to both open socialising and private bookings, allowing owners of nervous dogs or restricted breeds to reserve the space exclusively for hour-long sessions.
The private initiative comes after repeated calls for a public dog park in the area over recent years. In May 2021, Councillor Brendan Cronin put forward a motion requesting that the Municipal District build a facility in town, citing a similar successful scheme in Lucan, County Dublin.
At the time, council officials noted that while the project had merit, local authority land was unavailable and discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service would be required.
The issue was raised again in January 2023 by Councillor John O’Donoghue, who highlighted the growing number of dog-friendly local businesses and the rising demand for dedicated space. However, Kerry County Council stated it had no plans to construct a public facility due to challenges around funding, location, and ongoing maintenance.