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Do we really need a second cinema?

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News that Killarney is to get a second cinema has caused quite a stir over the past couple of days with strong opinions on both sides of the divide. While some have welcomed the move, others have questioned the need of another cinema in a town of Killarney’s size.

The new five-screen cinema will be located on the site of the old Torc Great Southern Hotel on the Park Road, opposite Arshanavooley housing estate. The two-storey building will consist of 2,500 square metres, a restaurant spanning both floors and 200 parking spaces. It will be operated by Omniplex, the company behind the cinema in Tralee.

The largest screen will be a premium large format (PLF) screen with 301 seats. The second largest will have 115 seats and the remaining four will provide 95 seats each.

Kerry County Council initially refused planning for the new facility on the grounds that it would affect the tourism product and the night-time economy of the town. They also claimed it would lead to unsustainable single-car trips. An Bórd Pleanála subsequently overturned that decision, however, and it now appears as though the new development will be going ahead.

Announcing details of the development, the planning officer claimed the new cinema “would not seriously injure the amenities of the area”.

Generally speaking, the move has not been greeted positively by the people of Killarney. In a poll carried out on the Killarney Advertiser Facebook page, 64% of respondents said the new cinema was not a good idea (at time of going to print).

It certainly seems like a strange decision. We already have a good cinema in Killarney. Do we really need another? It’s great that a site which has been vacant for a long time is finally being put to use, but surely they could have thought of something a bit more original.

If nothing else, the new development lacks entrepreneurial spirit. Our readers have already suggested a number of more innovative amenities, such as a bowling alley, laser tag or indoor karting. What do you think? Let us know via our Facebook page or by emailing newsdesk@killarneyadvertiser.ie

Facebook Poll 

A second five-screen cinema has been confirmed for Killarney, on the site of the old Torc Great Southern Hotel on Park Road. We want to hear your opinion... Is this a good idea?

Yes: 36%

No: 64%

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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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