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KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL has launched a public consultation process on the future use of the Áras Phádraig building in Killarney. Exodea Consulting Ltd has been appointed to carry out a feasibility study to assess the potential future use of the property on Lewis Road.

As part of the feasibility study, Kerry County Council will next week launch an online survey through which people can share their views. A public meeting on January 26 will also give members of the public an opportunity to suggest how the Áras might best be utilised for the benefit of the community. There will also be engagement with key stakeholders and community and voluntary groups in the locality over the coming weeks.

The cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Brendan Cronin, said public engagement on the future of Áras Phádraig is essential to ensure its full potential is realised and that the public has a stake in its future. “This facility has enormous potential for Killarney and the surrounding area given its size and location close to the centre of the town. We are now inviting people to contribute their proposals and ideas for its future use and these suggestions will be considered by the consultants who will draw up the feasibility study,” he said.

“There is significant local and community interest in the redevelopment and revival of the Áras Phádraig building as it is an important part of the town’s community and social infrastructure,” said Cllr Cronin.

Killarney Municipal district manager Angela McAllen said that the consultants have been asked to identify how any of the social, enterprise, community and arts and culture needs of Killarney could be addressed in developing Áras Phádraig. “To help us identify redevelopment opportunities, we are inviting everyone to attend an open, facilitated public meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday, January 26, in the Killarney Avenue Hotel. Those attending the meeting will have the opportunity to meet members of the Municipal District Committee and Kerry County Council staff who are spearheading the redevelopment,” she said.

Written submissions can also be made to: Micheál Ó Coileáin, Killarney Municipal District Officer, Kerry County Council, Town Hall, Kenmare Place, Killarney. The online survey will be available from next week on the Municipal District page on the www.killarney.ie website:
(http://killarney.ie/killarney-municipal-district/kerry-county-council/)
 

 
Above: Centre, the cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Brendan Cronin, with Killarney Municipal District Manager Angela McAllen, and from left, John Purcell, Senior Executive Engineer, Kerry County Council, Niamh O’Sullivan, Head of Community Development, Kerry County Council, Cllr John Joe Culloty, Cllr Niall Kelleher, Cllr Donal Grady, Cllr Michael Gleeson and Cllr. John Sheahan.
PICTURE: VALERIE O'SULLIVAN