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Disappointment as Skellig Michael to remain closed

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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed that the Skellig Michael World Heritage Site will remain closed and not open to visitors in 2020 because of COVID–19 concerns and the consequent risks to both staff and visitors.

The OPW had undertaken, following the original closure decision in early May, to review the position in the light of changing circumstances and where the Government had announced a relaxation of certain measures designed to reopen tourism attractions in particular. Having consulted with a number of parties both inside the OPW’s Heritage Service and externally, officials yesterday (Thursday) announced that it would not be feasible to open the famous island site for the remainder of the scheduled visitor season as the risks involved in both the boat voyage and the visitor experience on the island itself cannot be addressed sufficiently to guarantee the safety of both visitors and OPW staff.

“Opening of this important heritage site had originally been scheduled to take place on May 15, but that was obviously cancelled during the height of the lockdown," OPW Heritage Commissioner John Mc Mahon said. "What we are announcing this week is the result of our own internal review which was designed to see if things had changed sufficiently for us to perhaps announce a late season and allow public visits during part of August and September at least. Having considered all the issues however, we have arrived at the conclusion that this is not feasible and Skellig Michael cannot be made safe from COVID-19 for either visitors or staff. Regretfully therefore, we have to confirm that the Skellig Michael site will not reopen for the remainder of the 2020 season and we must instead plan for a resumption in 2021, when we will hopefully be able to accommodate visitors at the site again.”

Normally, the Skellig Michael visitor season finishes at the end of September with experience showing that weather and sea conditions in October are considerably poorer and the site becomes generally inaccessible. The OPW has assessed however that there are multiple risks both in terms of the boat trip and the visitor path on the island itself and it is not feasible to reopen for even a limited period in August and September. Before reaching their decision, OPW consulted with local boatmen who are responsible for bringing visitors to the island and investigated with them the possible changes that might be made in order to make the visitor experience safer. However, it was clear that the scale of the challenge was such that the proposition was not feasible and the original decision to close for the entire season was reconfirmed. OPW workmen continue to remain on the island to carry out essential maintenance and other works on the island and its monuments. They will continue to travel to the island until the end of September to carry out their normal programme of works.

 

[caption id="attachment_25257" align="alignleft" width="200"] Councillor Michael Cahill[/caption]

Kerry, and South Kerry in particular, is reeling from this latest decision to not allow visitors onto Skellig Michael for the remainder of the season says Councillor Michael Cahill.

“The refusal to allow the reopening of Skellig Michael to visitors this year is a ferocious blow to the local economy on top of everything else that has occurred. This is the sole source of income for many boatmen in the locality. Not alone that but the whole local economy is geared towards providing services to those who are drawn to the area to visit this iconic monastic settlement.”

He said that everyone understands the pandemic restrictions but it’s like attending football games etc., the boat trip takes place in the open air and with proper distancing and the wearing of face masks, should be as safe if not safer than attending a supermarket or restaurant.

“I am disappointed for all those whose livelihoods are so heavily affected and worry greatly about the knock-on affects,” he added.

 

The Skellig Experience Centre, located in Portmagee, is also a significant destination for visitors locally and is currently open. Additionally, local boat sightseeing trips continue to be available and are dealing with visitors currently.

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Con O’Leary: Killarney loses a vibrant and popular personality

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has led the tributes to the late Con O’Leary, an extremely popular and very successful businessman in the town, who passed away in the […]

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has led the tributes to the late Con O’Leary, an extremely popular and very successful businessman in the town, who passed away in the early hours of Sunday.

Con was a vibrant and popular personality in Killarney where he operated The Laurels on Main Street, a thriving bar and restaurant, which he inherited following the passing of his father, Thado.
The business organisation said from a social perspective, The Laurels became the beating heart of the town and it was a landmark at the Market Cross in the same way as Clery’s clock was in the capital city.
Chamber said Con’s passing really marks the end of an era as he was one of a golden age of inspirational local business people who developed and built Killarney, through hard work, bravery and great commercial flair, and helped create the wonderful tourist attraction and holiday destination it is today.
“Con was very proud of Killarney and he played a very active part in progressing the town at many levels.
“He was a man that was never short of great ideas and his contribution to the business life of the town and as a director of Killarney Race Company was immense,” Chamber said.
“He was ahead of his time in many respects with the introduction by what became known as “the singing lounge” many years ago and The Laurels always led by example through its successes in the annual Killarney Looking Good competition”.
The business representative organisation noted that the O’Leary family has always been very supporting of the town and Con’s daughter, Kate, was a very dynamic Chamber President and is still a very valued member of the executive.
Chamber expressed deep sympathy to Con’s wife, Anne, children Kate, Niall, Tara and Lorna, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sisters, relatives and friends as well as the dedicated staff in The Laurels, past and present, who Con always had great time for and a great rapport with.

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All Roads Lead To Kerry For National Road Safety Conference

Kerry County Council is to host a two-day road safety conference at the INEC Killarney on May 28 and 29. The ‘Safer Roads’ road safety conference is an inter-agency event […]

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Kerry County Council is to host a two-day road safety conference at the INEC Killarney on May 28 and 29.

The ‘Safer Roads’ road safety conference is an inter-agency event focused on improving road safety, reducing traffic-related incidents, and sharing knowledge and best practices for safer road use. It encompasses various strategies and efforts across multiple domains, including road design, engineering, enforcement, forensic collision investigation, technology, education, collision trends, occupational driving, cycling and scooting, e-mobility, active & sustainable travel and on-road events.

In addition to this, AI, Virtual Reality and Driver Simulation will play a significant role at the conference, in improving safety by predicting and preventing accidents, optimizing traffic, and aiding the development of autonomous vehicles.

This ‘Safer Roads’ conference is a non-public event where road safety professionals, speakers and service providers from across Ireland, other EU countries and the UK will attend, including transportation experts, government and local authority officials, roads policing and vehicle inspection agencies, road safety advocates, educators and promoters, collision responders, cycling bodies and community safety networks.

Kerry County Council’s Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh said:
“Road safety has evolved over the years to a much broader scope, in terms of e-mobility, sustainability, technology and engineering for instance. It’s not just about the road or the vehicle anymore, but also about how technology, human behaviour, enforcement, and education intersect to reduce risks and prevent collisions. The ‘Safer Roads’ conference will involve and include every branch of the road safety tree, right across the board, and in doing so, we aim to increase road safety awareness, improve road user behaviour and decrease the collisions and carnage we see on our roads every day,”

The two-day conference also provides an opportunity for exhibitors to attend, and interested state bodies, businesses and service providers are invited to exhibit at the event to showcase their products and services and engage with delegates and officials at the conference.

Further information about the conference and how to register or exhibit can be found here. https://www.kerrycoco.ie/safer-roads-road-safety-conference/

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