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Calls to save historic watch towers from dereliction

Well-known local man Jerry O’Grady, the Chairman of the Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty Memorial Society, is growing increasing concerned about condition of two buildings of historical importance that are after falling into disrepair.

Two of Killarney's 19th Century stone-built watchtowers are in serious danger of being irretrievably damaged and lost due to official neglect according to Mr O’Grady who is calling for intervention by Kerry County Council or the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Tower and Lodge on the Kenmare Road and Round Tower at Lord Brandon's Cottage are in danger of becoming derelict.

“A short few years ago there was talk within the National Parks and Wildlife Service that the [Kenmare Road] building could and should be restored and possibly put to a tourism/heritage use,” Mr O’Grady said.

“At the time, the single-story Lodge was largely intact and the Tower was free of plant life. Unfortunately, nothing was done and today it is all but invisible from the road. There is little doubt but in a short time the structure of the Tower will be damaged beyond repair and will join some other parts of our built heritage such as Ross Cottage, Glena, and Queen’s Cottage as derelict shells or heaps of rubble.”

Mr O’Grady is calling for an official campaign, similar to the one that saved Killarney House to be established to safe and protect the Watch Towers.

“Our now beautiful Killarney House and Gardens was ignored for decades by these agencies and sustained lobbying by local heritage and tourism interests was all but ignored. Without the fortuitous timing of Failte Ireland Funding becoming available and a committed Minister for Heritage being in office at the right time [Jimmy Deenihan], it is safe to assume that it too would have had a similar fate,” he added.