Connect with us

News

Finnegan’s Cross safety works remain on the long finger

Published

on

0239595_Unknown-1.jpeg

By Sean Moriarty

Less than 24 hours after Cllr Marie Moloney raised concerns about the lack of progress on the dangerous Finnegan’s Cross traffic safety project the junction witnessed another serious crash.

Cllr Moloney raised the issue, again, at the recent Killarney Municipal District Meeting.

Despite allocated funding for the notoriously dangerous junction, work has yet to commence on promised upgrades.

Last February the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan allocated €200,000 to the project. However, this was just a carryover from previously unspent money allocated under the 2021 Safety Improvement Works on Regional and Local Roads funding scheme.

The junction has been the scene of several serious, some fatal, accidents in recent years and while new safety signage has been installed on the north/south approach to the junction, the promised realignment works have yet to start.

“The delay with dealing with safety works at Finnegan’s Cross in unacceptable. This has now been ongoing for two years and apart from the erection of signs, no work has taken place on the ground,” she told the meeting.

“This is not fair to the people living in the locality who use this junction where there is no sight distance and are risking their lives every day. We have been advised that agreement has been reached with the landholders and designs drawn up but it still has not gone out to public consultation.”

Several ambulances, fire engines and garda cars attended the scene of another crash at the junction – 24 hours after Moloney raised the matter with the Council.

Council officials say that the reason the project has not moved forward is that there has been a substantial increase in costs and the allocated €200,000 will not now cover the costs of the project.

“Following on from discussions with the relevant landowners, an estimate of the proposed design has established that the cost of the proposed scheme will exceed the existing allocation under the terms of the Safety Improvement Scheme,” a Council official told the meeting.

“Following discussions with the Department of Transport, Kerry County Council has prepared and submitted a Project Appraisal Report to the Department for their consideration with the view of funding the Scheme via an alternative funding source. Once the source of funding has been established, Kerry County Council will be able to conclude the acquisition by agreement of the required land. This acquisition would be subject to obtaining the necessary approval under a Statutory Process.”

Moloney added that further delays will lead to more fatalities at the junction and is calling for traffic calming measures like rumble strips or ramps to be installed on the east/west approach too.

She will also bring a deputation of concerned locals before the council during either the November or January meetings in an effort to get solutions to this ongoing project.”

Advertisement

News

A Celebration of Culture, Community and Talent at St Brigid’s Presentation

Published

on

St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School was alive with music, song and celebration at their recent Trad Night 2026, a wonderful evening that showcased the rich cultural talent within their school and wider community.This special event was a joint fundraiser organised by their Gaelbhratach committee, promoting the Irish language and culture; their Yellow Flag committee, celebrating diversity and inclusion; and their dedicated Music Department. The night reflected the spirit of unity in the school, bringing together students from all year groups in a vibrant celebration of heritage through music, storytelling and dance. The programme featured an impressive lineup of performances including the brush dance, junior and senior set dancers representing local clubs such as Kilcummin and Spa, and a spectacular performance from Irish dancing World Champion Caoimhe O’Halloran. Thri junior and senior traditional groups performed beautifully, alongside the hugely talented Glenflesk Ballad Group, multiple All-Ireland award winners, who brought the audience to their feet. The evening was made all the more special with the generous sponsorship of tea and traditional brack from O’Sullivan’s Bakery, which was warmly enjoyed by all in attendance. The night concluded with a memorable performance from Deputy Principal, Liam McGill, who entertained the audience on guitar and vocals, accompanied by well-known local music teacher Rosie Healy and Aine McCann. St Brigid’s are immensely proud of all students who performed and contributed to making the night such a resounding success. Trad Night 2026 highlighted the extraordinary talent within the school and the strong sense of community that defines St Brigid’s Presentation.

A Celebration of Culture, Community and Talent at St Brigid’s Presentation

St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School was alive with music, song and celebration at their recent Trad Night 2026, a wonderful evening that showcased the rich cultural talent within their school and wider community.This special event was a joint fundraiser organised by their Gaelbhratach committee, promoting the Irish language and culture; their Yellow Flag committee, celebrating diversity and inclusion; and their dedicated Music Department. The night reflected the spirit of unity in the school, bringing together students from all year groups in a vibrant celebration of heritage through music, storytelling and dance. The programme featured an impressive lineup of performances including the brush dance, junior and senior set dancers representing local clubs such as Kilcummin and Spa, and a spectacular performance from Irish dancing World Champion Caoimhe O’Halloran. Thri junior and senior traditional groups performed beautifully, alongside the hugely talented Glenflesk Ballad Group, multiple All-Ireland award winners, who brought the audience to their feet. The evening was made all the more special with the generous sponsorship of tea and traditional brack from O’Sullivan’s Bakery, which was warmly enjoyed by all in attendance. The night concluded with a memorable performance from Deputy Principal, Liam McGill, who entertained the audience on guitar and vocals, accompanied by well-known local music teacher Rosie Healy and Aine McCann. St Brigid’s are immensely proud of all students who performed and contributed to making the night such a resounding success. Trad Night 2026 highlighted the extraordinary talent within the school and the strong sense of community that defines St Brigid’s Presentation.

Continue Reading

News

European title for Killarney handball star

Published

on


By Con Dennehy

Killarney handball star Owen Brosnan answered Ireland’s call at the weekend with a breathtaking display at the European One Wall Tour in London.

Currow native and Spa Killarney Handballer, Brosnan took on the best players in England, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, France and Israel and thanks to a superb display returned back to Kerry with a European gold medal following his phenomenal success in the Men’s C Plate competition.
Played at the Westway Sports Complex in London, more than 150 players took part in the competition on six indoor courts with Brosnan and his Killarney team colleague Tim Cronin playing 15 games over the two days. Following earlier round victories, Brosnan was paired with Tim Cronin in a Kerry dominated semifinal clash. This was an exciting high-octane game with both players producing a classic display of handball. Aces were hard fought with just one point separating both players at the end of a pulsating game. Brosnan advanced to the final on a 21-20 scoreline. “I was thrilled with my semifinal game. It was a hard-fought contest with all the training at the Spa GAA Hall helping me edge out a win. We train together and know each other strengths and weaknesses which added to the excitement of the occasion. We both teamed up in the Men’s B Plate Doubles competition reaching the semifinal where we were defeated by Matt Flapan and Gleb Spiridon, a USA/Israel combination,” said Owen.
Brosnan produced a superb display of fast paced handball in the Men’s C Plate final where his opponent was the highly fancied Josh Thomas from Wales. Using the court to his full advantage, the Killarney player produced a brilliant all-round performance to record a 21-18 victory and in the process his first major title.
“Naturally, I was delighted with the success. Both Tim and I started the sport by accident over 12 months ago when we attended an Open Family Day at Spa GAA Club. Brendan O’Donoghue, one of the founders of Spa Killarney Handball Club, was giving a demonstration of handball and invited us to try it out. We both enjoyed the experience and have been playing ever since. We are looking forward to the various domestic competitions over the coming months and really enjoy the training and fun element to the sport in the club.”

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport