News
Council interested in acquiring land at St Finan’s Hospital
I
IT HAS dominated the landscape of Killarney since 1853 yet the imposing St Finan’s Hospital is now lying idle. News that Kerry County Council is in talks with the Health Service Executive about acquiring land at the former psychiatric hospital begs the question – what will be done with the this imposing Victorian building itself?
The potential of this centrally located and spacious facility must be harnessed for the good of the community and Killarney’s economy.
At the council’s recent monthly meeting, Kerry Independent Alliance Cllr Michael Gleeson asked the council to give an update on the Sir Thomas Deane-designed hospital and its lands.
Cllr Gleeson said the hospital should be kept in public ownership, suggesting it could be used for apartments for single people or elderly couples, or as a day-care centre for people with Alzheimer’s.
Part of the land could be used to solve the traffic crux at the Lewis Road/Killarney bypass unction while the site could also benefit Killarney’s recreational life, Cllr Gleeson told the council.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Michael Cahill has suggested that a tourism training college be located in the building.
Killarney Advertiser columnist Anne Lucey noted that the former hospital building would be ideal for use as a catering college. “I have long argued we need a hotel cum catering college in Killarney, a bit like a Swiss college of catering,” she wrote.
Kerry County Council has met with the HSE a number of times in relation to the availability of surplus HSE lands. The council received correspondence from the HSE about St Finan’s at the end of June, and the local authority has formally indicated a strategic interest in land at the campus. “There are very few who would wish to see the building transferred to private ownership,” said Cllr Gleeson, adding: “I do not want to see St Finan’s end up in private hands.”
Above: St Finan's Hospital. Picture: MacMonagle, Killarney