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First phase of Tralee-Fenit Greenway officially opened

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The official opening of the first phase of the Tralee-Fenit Greenway took place today (Friday) when the Fenit-Spa leg of the greenway was opened to cyclists and walkers.

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Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD joined Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Johnnie Wall and Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Jimmy Moloney to launch the opening of the first 6.5km of greenway, allowing pedestrians and cyclists travel from Fenit to Spa and back again. The remainder of the greenway is expected to open in autumn.

The entire 11.3 km greenway will encompass the already constructed stretch from Tralee Railway Station to the Bracker O’Regan Road and will greatly enhance the local tourist economy, allowing locals and tourists to cycle safely in a healthy and scenic car-free environment.

It will also provide a new link between Fenit, Tralee and the surrounding townlands, thereby improving the social fabric of local communities and providing a universally accessible amenity which will attract families, the elderly and disabled persons and complement the range of existing tourism trails throughout Kerry.

Welcoming the project, Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Johnnie Wall praised the work carried out by Kerry County Council staff on the project.

“It is something that has been in the pipeline for many years and to see it coming to fruition is fantastic,” he said.

“Great credit must go to everyone involved, including the Council staff who built the greenway, the landowners for their cooperation, and the Department of Transport and TII for funding the project. This, along with current and future Greenway projects in the county will be hugely beneficial for locals and visitors alike and I look forward to the rest of the Greenway opening in autumn.”

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan added that “the Tralee to Fenit Greenway is another great example of the role Greenways can plan in connecting communities in a sustainable manner".

"This new infrastructure from Fenit to Spa is accessible to all and allows those living on this route to commute safely to school, work or other amenities by foot or bike. It also provides an attractive amenity for visitors to the area and I look forward to the delivery of the rest of the greenway which will further support tourism and sustainable transport in the region.”

Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD said she too is delighted to join with Cabinet Colleague Minister Ryan to officially open the Tralee to Fenit Greenway "which will provide locals and visitors alike a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the delights of walking and cycling in beautiful, picturesque and safe surroundings".

"I would like to acknowledge the enormous effort put in by Kerry County Council, the landowners and the Department of Transport whose tireless endeavours have made all of this possible. Today’s launch marks a hugely significant day for Kerry and I look forward to the opening of the remainder of the greenway which will further enhance and enrich the visitor experience.”

WORKS

In September 2018 the members of Tralee Municipal District approved the Part 8 Planning for the construction of the Tralee to Fenit.

Kerry County Council were allocated funding under the DTTAS Greenway’s Funding Programme 2019-2021, in June 2019.

Construction works began in November 2019 however it was delayed for six months due to COVID restrictions.

The greenway begins in Fenit Village, close to the harbour, and travels along the corridor of the former railway line to the Bracker O’Regan Road, Tralee. It connects with the existing urban section of the route, from Mounthawk area to Tralee Railway Station. It will also link with the future extension of the North Kerry Greenway from Limerick County Bounds to Tralee.

The total length, approx. 11.3km, is 3.0m wide with an asphalt concrete finished surface. It includes 20 agricultural crossings, 10 private crossings, two public crossings and eight potential pedestrian access points.

Large structures include the Kilfenora Bridge which was re-instated, the greenway underpass of the local road in Ballymakegoge and installation of agricultural underpasses, accommodation works to local residential properties and farm holdings, including screening for privacy and accommodating agriculture operations.

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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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