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Councillor says “stay away” as Airbnb continues to take bookings

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By Sean Moriarty

One of the greatest supporters of tourism in Killarney has given a stark warning to people who might be considering visiting the town over the Easter weekend in the midst of the current crisis.

Cllr Donal Grady is telling people to “stay the hell away”, and has raised concerns after reports online booking agency Airbnb is still offering vacancies in the Killarney area.

The independent councillor has always been very welcoming to tourists in the town and has worked behind the scenes to promote the town locally and internationally.

His change of attitude is driven by concerns that visitors to the town will spread the virus and that the people of Killarney need to be protected.

“The second this is over we welcome you all with open arms but for now stay the hell away and stop the cross-infection of this awful thing," he told the Killarney Advertiser. "People are fighting for their lives.”

Operators of Airbnb services in Killarney are flouting current COVID-19-imposed restrictions according to Grady who is fielding four and five calls a day from concerned residents who believe the online booking service, which offers rooms in private houses and apartments, is as busy as ever in the town.

An investigation by the Killarney Advertiser revealed that there are over 20 Killarney-based properties promoting availability in the town over the Easter weekend.

Prices range from €50 to €127 per night for a booking commencing on Good Friday and ending on Easter Monday at a time when all hotels in the locality have been forced to close in order to stop the spread of the virus.

The booking website does advise to check with individual properties before travelling and to obey HSE travel guidelines.

“They are inviting the virus into town. We must shut them down,” Grady told the Killarney Advertiser. “On Wednesday of this week the Glebe Car park was full of cars – 90 percent of them had out of county registrations.”

Grady also called for the airports to be shut down except for essential services like food and medical distribution or getting Irish people home from other countries.

“What is stopping people coming from England and going to their holiday homes all over Kerry for the Easter break?” he added.

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New Streetscapes murals launched at College Square

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A colourful collaboration between the Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) and the Architecture Kerry Festival at Kerry County Council launched yesterday evening at College Square.

Titled Streetscapes, the open-air public art installation officially opened at 5pm on Thursday, accompanied by a performance from the Killarney Youth Drumming Band THUMP! under the guidance of Urs Wenk from Drum Dance Ireland.


The public art project features a series of wall murals depicting Killarney through the eyes of local children, exploring freedom, play, and potential future evolutions of the townscape.

The artworks reimagine Killarney’s iconic landmarks and streets, blending youthful imagination and curiosity.


Supported under the Creative Ireland Programme, the installation is mounted on the gable wall of Reen’s Life Pharmacy in College Square, where it will remain on public display until March 2027.


Speaking at the launch, Daniel O’Shea, Youth Development Officer at Kerry ETB, stated: “Streetscapes is a wonderful celebration of how children see things. Their creativity brings new perspectives to the townscape, and we are proud to support their ideas and their art through this public artwork.”


Deirdre Enright, Co-Ordinator of the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Kerry ETB, acknowledged the community support behind the initiative: “We are very grateful to Reen’s Life Pharmacy who have shared their built space with us. Huge credit is due to the artistic team from Me+The Moon whose dedication to creativity and to children’s art shine through in this work.”


The project forms part of the annual Architecture Kerry Festival and receives funding through Creative Ireland and the Department of Education and Youth via Kerry ETB and Kerry County Council.


Victoria McCarthy, Festival Organiser and Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council, welcomed the continued inter-agency project: “It’s always a great event for Architecture Kerry and we are so pleased with this collaboration between public sector organisations. It remains a key feature of the Architecture Kerry programme.”
See next week’s Killarney Advertiser for full photographic coverage of the event.

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

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Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise

Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.

Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.

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