News
Fitzgerald Stadium funding row ends up in the High Court
Kerry GAA are remaining tight lipped on the implications a High Court hearing could have on the redevelopment of Fitzgerald Stadium.
Kerry GAA Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan revealed an ambitious redevelopment project that will radically alter the appearance of the iconic grounds last year.
The central section of the O’Connor Terrace is to be covered as part of the plan.
A new tier is to be added to the top of the terrace with a roof that will stretch roughly from one 20-metre line to the other, according to newly released drawings.
The Scoreboard End will get a new terrace and the Lewis Road End will be converted to an all-seater uncovered stand. The existing O’Sullivan Stand will also be replaced with a new stand.
Plans for the revamp were unveiled this time last year but it now appears they could be up in the air following the Government’s decision to end what is known as the Immigrant Investor Programme.
The Immigrant Investor Programme is a pathway for non-EEA nationals to secure immigration permission to Ireland on the basis of long-term investment of a sum of money in a project that has been approved for that purpose by the Department of Justice and other Government stakeholders.
The scheme ended in February 2023.
The GAA County Board has been working on the project since early in 2022.
It is understood that before the scheme was scrapped Kerry GAA had submitted its plans to redevelop the stadium.
Kerry GAA has now launched a High Court challenge in a bid to overturn the Justice Minister's refusal to include its application for inclusion in the now-discontinued scheme.
It is also understood that one or more investors were willing to up to €27m in donations to fund the refurbishment under the scheme and the Minister’s decision puts that investment in jeopardy.
In January, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said that "no valid investor application was submitted,” by Kerry GAA and on that grounds the application was refused.
Kerry GAA say there was a valid application and on that grounds it has taken the case to the High Court.
Kerry GAA officials refused to comment on the situation, when contacted by the Killarney Advertiser, given the sensitive legal implications of the case.
Several other voluntary bodies from across the country are in a similar situation.
The initial case was heard in High Court in Dublin this week but has been adjourned to give all parties more time to provide additional documentation, and will return before the court later in July.
The Killarney National Park Education Centre has announced the return of the ‘Step into Spring’ – Céim Isteach san Earrach festival for 2026. Running from Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12, the programme features a series of free events designed to celebrate the season of growth and rejuvenation within the park grounds.
The weekend begins on Friday evening with an illustrated talk on the woodlands of Killarney National Park by Chris Barron, followed by a nocturnal nature ramble led by the education team. Saturday’s highlights include the annual Dawn Chorus guided walk and bird ringing demonstration starting at 5:45 am in Knockreer Demesne, led by Ed Carty, Dr Killian Kelly of MTU, and the SWI bird ringers.
Historical and botanical walks are also scheduled throughout the weekend. Dr Tracy Collins, OPW Archaeologist, will lead guided tours of Muckross Abbey on Saturday and Innisfallen Island on Sunday. Other expert-led sessions include a look at the spring flowers of Muckross Peninsula with Dr Therese Higgins, a tour of the Muckross Arboretum with former Park Superintendent Cormac Foley, and a talk on Ireland’s National Seed Bank by Dr Darren Reidy.
The festival concludes on Sunday with a boat trip to Innisfallen Island and a “Reading the Landscape” walk through Knockreer Demesne with Horacio Presto of the NPWS. While all events are free of charge, organizers have noted that pre-booking is essential due to limited capacity.
Step into Spring Schedule 2026
DateTimeEventFriday 10th7:30 pmWoodlands of Killarney Talk (Chris Barron)
8:45 pmNocturnal Nature Ramble (KNP Team)
Saturday 11th5:45 amDawn Chorus & Bird Ringing (Knockreer)
11:00 amHistory of Muckross Abbey (Dr Tracy Collins)
11:30 amSpring Flowers of Muckross (Dr Therese Higgins)
2:30 pmMuckross Arboretum Walk (Cormac Foley)
7:30 pmIreland’s National Seed Bank Talk (Dr Darren Reidy)
Sunday 12th10:00 amHistory of Innisfallen Talk (Dr Tracy Collins)
1:30 pmInnisfallen Boat Trip & Guided Walk
2:00 pmReading the Landscape (Horacio Presto)
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