Connect with us

News

Councillors frustrated at lack of progress on town projects

Published

on

0239221_900x900.jpg

Councillors have hit out against Kerry County Council’s lack of progress on big projects in the town.

Speaking at yesterday's (Thursday) Killarney Municipal District meeting, several elected councillors questioned the lack of progress on long-promised schemes in the area.

A major cycle network was first mooted for the town in February 2021 with planning permission granted last year. However, so far the project has not progressed beyond various consultations.

“There is no progress on any project,” Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan told the meeting. “We need to see progress, especially the cycleway.”

Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, Cllr Brendan Cronin and Cllr Moloney questioned why the preferred route for the new road between Farranfore and Killarney had not yet been revealed. That route was originally set to be announced in August or September this year. However, that has now been pushed out until Quarter 4 2022.

“This is a moving goal post,” said Moloney, while Healy-Rae added, "It is 15 months since the public consultation [on the Farranfore road]”.

The Lewis Road junction is set to see interim measures put in place by Quarter 4 too.

“Everything in the world is happening in Quarter 4,” said Cllr John O’Donoghue.

Town manager Angela McAllen said she would organise a meeting with relevant engineers in the coming weeks to update elected members on progress.

“There is a lot of work going on in the background, especially in relation to the cycleway,” she said.

“These are long draw out processes,” said engineer John Ahern.

Advertisement

News

European mixology elite heading to Pig’s Lane

Published

on

By

Fresh off being named Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026, Pig’s Lane is set to host world-renowned Athens cocktail destination The Bar in Front of The Bar for an exclusive pop-up event,

The one-off takeover takes place on Wednesday, September 23, from 7pm in the underground town centre venue.


Ranked No. 2 in Europe’s 50 Best Bars and No. 47 in The World’s 50 Best Bars, the Greek street-side team will collaborate with Pig’s Lane mixologists to showcase zero-waste techniques, advanced carbonation, and precision sub-zero serving methods.


Among the featured drinks on the night will be the signature C.R.E.A.M. cocktail, a blend of Greek herbs, mastic, and spirits served with a warm white chocolate and coconut float.


The event, sponsored by Hennessy, highlights a joint focus on sustainability between both venues, combining ingredients from Killarney Urban Farm’s hydroponic towers with the zero-waste, closed-loop approach developed in Athens.

Continue Reading

News

WEEK 14: Felicity’s Summer in Killarney

Published

on

By

WEEK 14
Felicity’s Summer in Killarney





Previously: Here on Dundag it was far easier to relax than anywhere else. They had a picnic blanket, some cold drinks and what felt like all the time in the world.

“I can’t believe I leave on Monday” Felicity said tiredly.

“Neither can I. This summer has flown. Tell me you have plans to come back sometime soon though? I don’t think Sheila and I can be as good of a mischief-making duo as me and you.”

Felicity had already spoken with her parents about her return to Killarney. “I’d like to come back for Halloween. Who knows, with my apprenticeship you may be seeing a lot more of me.”

Felicity glanced at Jack, who was looking far out over the lake. “That wouldn’t be so bad.” He paused. “There’s loads of things to do in Kerry around Halloween. There are countless events and festivals in the surrounding towns and parishes.”

“That would be nice. I love Halloween, it would be great to see how ye do it down here.” A few years ago she and her friends had run a school scare event in Dublin, for TYs and above only. It had been some of the best fun they’d had in school together.

“It’s going to be really strange not having you just around the corner anymore. I’ve gotten so used to showing up at Sheila’s and you being there.”

Knowing that her friends were going to miss her so much made Felicity’s chest twist. She knew that Auntie Sheila wasn’t looking forward to her leaving either. “At least I’ll be back soon. You’ll be seeing me off of the train before you can blink.”

“Yeah, I can’t wait.”

A few hours passed before Felicity and Jack returned to Hedgerow Place. Jack dropped her off at the door, promising to meet her at the bus station tomorrow to see her off. Felicity trudged towards the door morosely.

Auntie Sheila met her on the other side with a sad smile. “Hopefully you’ll be back soon poppet. I suppose for now you should probably pack.”

Felicity nodded and made her way upstairs. She entered the spare room , her room now, really. Auntie Sheila had offered her it permanently if she were to get her apprenticeship. That would be a dream come true, to live in Killarney and have something as exciting as an apprenticeship to work on.

Felicity packed slowly. She let herself daydream about what her life could look like, and how easy it would be to sink into it. Thoughts of coming back here, to a room that was fully hers circled around her head. Felicity looked around her room as she slowly progressed towards fitting her whole summer into just the two small suitcases and backpack that she had come to Killarney with.

It felt like her experiences were too big, too meaningful to pack away with her. Too much had happened this summer to pack it all away. The only solace, Felicity thought, was that she had to go so that she could come back again.

The Bus
Now she was standing once more at Killarney Bus Station, waiting to get the Expressway back to Cork before the next leg to Dublin. Auntie Sheila and Jack both stood nearby waiting to see her off.

Felicity had spent the last few days packing, reminiscing on her time in Killarney as if it were years ago, and had not started a mere three months previously. The adventures she’d had and the friends she made were all so different from what she knew in Dublin. It almost felt like going back to the city was going back to a different world, a different life.

“You have to stay in touch,” Jack said with a frown. “And I will hold you to your promise to come back at Halloween. We have to go to some of the Halloween events. I know it’s a trek down but it will be faster by train.”

Felicity didn’t know why her parents had booked her a bus down and back and not the train, but she was almost thankful for the extra travel time on the way back. It would take all of it and more to acclimatise back into her old life.

When the bus arrived, Jack helped her stow her luggage in the undercarriage. It was with a heavy heart and tearful eyes that she hugged them both goodbye. Felicity promised both to them and to herself that she would be back for Halloween, even if she didn’t get her apprenticeship, she would make the time around her college schedule to visit. God, she should have applied for college in Killarney. If only she had known what it was like when she was filling out her CAO.

Felicity trudged up the steps onto the bus. She hadn’t missed how cramped the seats were. The train would undoubtedly be the better option for her return.

She turned and waved at Jack and Auntie Sheila as the bus pulled out of its berth. She could see Auntie Sheila smiling up at her. Something her aunt had told her the night before swirled around in her head. “It doesn’t matter that you’re leaving now,” she had said, “because you’ve been to Killarney once, and now there will always be a home for you here.”

Summer in Killarney had been transformative, to say the least. The bus went around the Daly’s roundabout and travelled down the hill towards Cork. Felicity looked longingly at the turn to Woodlawn Road as they trundled by. Killarney, and Auntie Sheila’s little house on Hedgerow Place, had snuck its way into her heart. Felicity was going to miss it. She couldn’t wait to come back again.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport