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Concerns Killarney will have more derelict buildings

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By Sean Moriarty

There are fears that the construction of the new community hospital on the grounds of St Finan’s will result in more State-owned buildings lying idle.

FUTURE: There are concerns that the existing Killarney Community Hospital will lie idle once construction of the new hospital is complete. Photo: Sean Moriarty

The new 130-bed unit which is expected to be completed by end of 2024 is currently under-construction near the bypass and Lewis Road junction. It will serve as a replacement for the existing St Columbanus Home and Killarney Community Hospital on St Margaret’s Road.

The HSE have yet to announce what will happen to the existing buildings once construction of the new hospital is complete.

There are concerns that they will join a host of other such sites in the town, like the Pretty Polly factory, the Áras Phádraig, and St Finan’s Hospital.

While there are plans in place for the former two buildings, work has yet to start on construction of either and the latter has been idle since 2012 with no sign of a potential investor on the horizon.

Cllr Brendan Cronin raised the issue at Monday’s Kerry County Council meeting.

He is concerned because a Primary Care Unit is part of the plan to re-develop the Áras Phádraig, and that could leave St Columbanus Home and the existing Community Hospital unoccupied.

"Have Kerry County Council got clarification from the HSE regarding what use is intended for the Killarney Community Hospital building and site and the St Columbanus building and site now that the new Community Hospital is under construction,” he asked the meeting.

“I believe it is very important to get this clarification before Kerry County Council signs over lands at Áras Phádraig, Lewis Road to the HSE for a primary care centre."

Last November, Killarney Municipal District approved plans for the redevelopment of Áras Phádraig.

However, some elected councillors had reservations about the inclusion of a HSE Primary Care Unit within the project.

At that time councillors were told that the inclusion of the Primary Care Unit was a redline issue as without it funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund would not be forthcoming for the entire project.

“Maybe now that I have focused attention on these two properties that will soon become vacant, Council management will have to actually contact the HSE seeking clarification regarding future potential. I have also made it clear that this clarification from HSE should be provided before the Council sign over any of the Áras Phádraig site to the HSE,” Cllr Cronin told the Killarney Advertiser.

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Community College TY students become qualified baristas

School Dayz Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas. They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make […]

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School Dayz

Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas.

They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make coffee, which could make them very employable in local cafes and restaurants this summer.
Their teachers, who are described as the school’s “resident coffee experts,” were impressed with the students’ hard work and enjoyed the lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos the students made throughout the day.
In addition to their barista training, the TY students also took a trip to Mallow. There, they learned about the rules of the road, practiced the driver theory test, and many got behind the wheel of a car for the first time. They also learned about the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

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Rising stars Amano and Lillie Foley to share stage in ANAM

Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre. Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer […]

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Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre.

Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer Amano will bring her ‘Mythilligocial Meitheal Tour’ home for a special live performance of both her contemporary and traditional music.

Joining her on the night is local rising star Lillie Foley, making it a special event to celebrate two young Killarney songwriters making their mark on the Irish music scene. The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

Amano, described by Hot Press in 2024 as an “idiosyncratic talent” is comfortable performing in both English and Irish, draws influences from alt-folk, R&B, and traditional sean-nós singing.

Her project THREAD was nominated for Irish language Album and Song of the year at the Gradaim Nós in 2024.

Her recent singles, ‘Burn’ and ‘The Birthing House’, have received airplay on RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Kerry, and Raidió na Life.

Lillie Foley, a 22-year-old singer who recently graduated from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance with a BA in Voice, has released two debut singles in 2025, ‘Someday’ and ‘That’s Life’, which blend pop, soul, and folk genres.

The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

The concert will take place on May 23, at the ANAM Cultural Centre in Killarney, starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are available from €15 plus a booking fee on Ticketpass.org.

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