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Calls to remove Protected Structure status at St Finan’s

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By Sean Moriarty

Local councillor Brendan Cronin is calling for the removal of the ‘Protected Structure’ designation at the former St Finan's Hospital.

Cllr Brendan Cronin

The historic building has been lying idle since it closed in September 2012.

The hospital and adjoining lands are up for sale by the Health Service Executive (HSE) since then.

So far no realistic offer has been made on the site despite suggestions that it could be used for social housing, a catering college and a hotel.

Each year the building, which was built in the 1850s, falls into further disrepair.

Cronin believes its protected status is deterring potential buyers.

At Monday’s full meeting of Kerry County Council Cronin asked the Council executive to reconsider the designation.

“This is a strategically important site and the protected structure designation is a major impediment to any development or use of the building and adjacent lands, the building has been left empty and idle since closing in 2012 and taking on the burden of well over €100 million renovations has proven to be financially toxic,” he told the meeting.

“Ultimately, as time moves on it will become a derelict eyesore like similar buildings in other counties and cities. A change needs to be made in the current designation to lift the obstacles blocking the potential of this important site."

Kerry County Council management did not support the idea.

“A declaration has been issued in relation to the St Finan’s building and it is considered that the elements specified to be retained are not overly restrictive and do not impinge on the ability of this structure to be retained and renovated for a variety of uses. Kerry County Council offers a comprehensive pre-planning service and looks forward to meeting and engaging with the owners or prospective owners of the building with regard to its renovation,” said a Council official.

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10-minute plays will linger in the memory

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The West End House School of Arts is delighted to take part in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Festival with a special evening of entertaining readings on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a vibrant showcase of five original 10-minute plays written by emerging local playwrights, each of whom has recently completed a playwriting course with Fiona Doyle (pictured).


Diverse in style and subject matter, these beautifully crafted pieces promise an evening of laughter, tears, and powerful storytelling and each reading will be performed by West End House actors from Kerry.


Together, they highlight the remarkable talent of these up-and-coming writers and actors, who are the future of theatre in our community.

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Get your scrap together

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Following the success of the first ever Killarney Lions Club scrap metal collection in 2025, the Club will again run the event this year in partnership with KWD Recycling on March 28, at Killarney Racecourse.

Similar to 2025, money raised through recycling the metal will go towards improving facilities for families attending the children’s cancer unit in Cork University Hospital, as part of an overall fundraising drive being coordinated by Lions Clubs all over Munster.

The Club is asking people to bring non-ferrous scrap metals such as aluminium, copper, brass, zinc and stainless steel (no white goods such as fridges/cookers washing machines). Volunteers will be on hand from 9am until 4pm to take donations of scrap and work with KWD Recycling to remove it for processing.

“Although Lions Clubs in Munster have already raised some funds for CUH, more is still needed, so we’re delighted that KWD Recycling is working with us again to support this very worthwhile cause”, said Jason Higgins, President of Killarney Lions Club. “We’re asking anyone who has scrap metal at home, at work or on the farm now or in the next few weeks to please bring it to the Racecourse on the day because everything we collect will make a difference.”

Tadhg Healy, Sales Manager at KWD Recycling added that “We will recycle any high quality scrap metal that we collect – it can be quite valuable and of course it’s better for the environment if it’s recycled instead of being dumped. On top of that, the main thing with this collection is to help families of children with cancer, so hopefully we’ll get a good response from everyone and raise as much money as possible through this event”.

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