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Bullet train for Killarney on Council agenda

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By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney councillor is calling for a Japanese-style 'Shinkansen' high-speed train – otherwise known as Bullet Trains - to link towns like Killarney and Tralee to Dublin.

Cllr Michael Gleeson, who is also the Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, will put this proposal before Kerry County Council on Monday of next week.

Gleeson says that proper rail links between the west of Ireland and the capital will help revitalise rural Ireland.

“The largely uncoordinated and piecemeal expansion of Dublin has been hugely to the detriment of much of rural Ireland and its self, in the process, become a nightmare place in which to live,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

He feels that a high-speed service would encourage people who work in Dublin to live in a place like Killarney.

“People do not wish to live in that chaotic and overcrowded city,” he said. “This relocation can never be realistically achieved using cars or airport. The only really viable way to do this would be through the development of super-fast trains.”

According to intermodal travel website rometorio.com, the rail journey between to the two stations is 259km, 41km shorter than going by road.

The current journey between Killarney and Dublin Heuston takes 3hrs and 18mins.

In Britain, a high-speed rail line between Birmingham and London, a project of around half the distance between Dublin and Killarney is costing over £33bn, including Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) for nearby lands.

“The only constrains would be an inability to think positive and think big,” added Gleeson. “Millions and millions of euro are being spent on travel infrastructure in Dublin, much of it seeking to undo inadequacies in the orignal development. Far better I believe to think of projects such as this that are keeping pace with what is really needed in Ireland as an entire country.”

 

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Public realm works begin on Main Street and Kenmare Place

Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This phase of the project, […]

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Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This phase of the project, funded by the URDF, focuses on enhancing the streetscape and accessibility of both Main Street and Kenmare Place.
To allow the appointed contractors to carry out the investment safely, a section of the R-878 on Main Street, stretching from Kenmare Place to Plunkett Street, is now closed to traffic. This first period of construction is scheduled to run from April 20 until July 3.
Recognising the importance of the tourism season, the council has confirmed the street will fully reopen from July 4 to October 4 to accommodate peak summer traffic. Following this break, works will resume for a second period starting October 5 and running until December 4.
While vehicle diversions are in place, pedestrian access to all businesses and emergency service access will be maintained throughout the construction phases. Kerry County Council stated that these works are part of a wider programme to improve the safety and quality of the town centre and has thanked the public and local business owners for their cooperation during these essential improvements.

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Jordan Lee selected for Ireland’s Para Athletics relay team

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Jordan Lee selected for Ireland’s Para Athletics relay team


Killarney Valley AC has celebrated another historic milestone following the selection of international Paralympic athlete Jordan Lee for Team Ireland’s first-ever Para Athletics 4x100m Universal Relay squad.


The selection marks a landmark step for Irish Para Athletics, with the newly formed team focusing its long-term sights on the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. Jordan, a high-jump specialist, has recently added the shot putt to his competitive disciplines, and his performance through recent trials secured his place in this groundbreaking relay unit.
The Universal Relay is a unique event in Para Athletics, featuring athletes from different impairment groups competing together. Everyone at KVAC and across the town has extended their best wishes to Jordan as he prepares to represent Ireland on the global stage.

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