The Kilcummin Men’s Shed officially opened on Friday last with a strong turnout from across the county.

The opening event was well attended by local residents, community groups and neighbouring men’s sheds, highlighting the growing need for this type of social and community initiative in the area.
Representatives from the Killarney Men’s Shed, Duhallow West Men’s Shed and the Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club attended the launch to offer their support. These groups plan to work together in future on joint projects and events, helping to build connections between the sheds.
The Kilcummin Men’s Shed will now hold regular weekly meet-ups every Friday from 10am to 12pm at Mastergeeha F.C.. The venue and schedule were chosen to align with the Gneeveguilla–Killarney TFI bus timetable, ensuring easy access for members. Activities will include group discussions, demonstrations, trips and skill-sharing sessions, all based on the interests of those attending.
The next meeting, on Friday, October 31, will mark the group’s formal setup. Members will meet to plan their programme, decide on future activities and shape the direction of the Shed according to their interests and goals.
Entertainment on the opening day was provided by Lisa Hegarty School of Dancing and three of her students, musician Colm Fleming, and singers Thady Connor and Donie Doherty, along with several local performers who joined in impromptu sessions.
The Kilcummin Men’s Shed Committee expressed its thanks to everyone who supported the event, including Mastergeeha F.C., Marguerite’s Bakery, O’Connor’s Fuel, Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club, Killarney Men’s Shed, Duhallow Men’s Shed, all volunteers, organisers and sponsors.
New members, volunteers and sponsors are always welcome, whether you want to share a skill, learn something new or simply call in for a chat.
For more information, contact 087 242 2299, email KilcumminMensShed@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page for membership, volunteering and sponsorship details.

Rental prices in Killarney have reached levels that many working families simply cannot afford.

Recent data shows the average monthly rent in the town now stands at €1,270, representing a nearly 13% increase year-on-year.

At the same time, the supply of long-term rental properties is extremely low.

According to Daft.ie, only five long-term rentals were listed in Killarney this week, and many of the top-priced properties are holiday lets or large multi-bed houses marketed for short-term rental.

Mayor of the Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Martin Grady, warned that the current state of the rental market is unsustainable. “Over the last two weeks I’ve been working with the fourteen families in Loretto in Killarney who have been served notices to quit their homes,” he said. “They have lived here, raised their children and contributed to our local economy for years, yet now they face having nowhere to go.”

Grady said that this is not just a local problem but one that affects the heart of the community: “The working-class families who keep our town alive are being squeezed from every direction. Access to stable long-term rental housing is falling even as the cost of living rises.”

The figures bear this out. While average rents are rising, the number of available properties remains at a historic low. Tenant guidance for Kerry indicates that typical rents for a three-bed house now range from €1,900–€2,300 per month, excluding premium holiday markets.

Residents say the result is that many people who work in Killarney cannot afford to live in the town. Some families are forced to move to lower-cost areas or commute from farther afield, which erodes community life and local support networks.

The contrast between scarce rental supply and high demand driven by tourism, employment and location is stark in Killarney. Many landlords are opting for short-term holiday lets, which typically command much higher weekly rates than long-term rentals, further reducing stock for residents.

Cllr Grady says urgent intervention is needed. He called for the case of the families in Loretto to be treated as an emergency and urged the Department of Housing and Kerry County Council to take immediate action to increase long-term rental supply in Killarney.

“As a proud town we risk hollowing out our community if people who live and work here cannot afford to stay,” Grady said.

To illustrate the gap between rental affordability and actual market conditions, the Killarney Advertiser conducted a quick survey of available properties in the area. See the sidebar for our findings.8-bed luxury house, Killarney area — est. €25,980 / month (based on €5,995 per week)

An eight-bed holiday house near Killarney is listed at €5,995 per week — an estimated €25,980 per month (5,995 × 4.33). Large group property, high-end fittings and private parking; aimed at short-term luxury lets but shows the top rental prices in the region.

Source (weekly listing): Daft.ie 5-bed lakeside villa, Muckross Road est. €17,300 / month (based on €3,995 per week) A five-bed villa on or near Muckross Road is advertised at €3,995 per week, giving an approximate €17,300 monthly rate (3,995 × 4.33). Premium lakeside location and multiple bathrooms make it one of the priciest houses available to rent short-term in Killarney.

Source (weekly listing): Daft.ie “Lavish Killarney Villa” €4,995 per week (est. €21,620 / month)
A high-end Killarney town villa is listed at €4,995 per week on a luxury self-catering site — roughly €21,620 per month when converted. Close to town and the National Park gates, this villa represents the top end of the market for furnished short-term rental homes.

Source (weekly listing): FiveStar.ie Beechwood, Kenmare €3,750 per month (long-term listing)
Beechwood in nearby Kenmare is listed as a luxury long-term rental at €3,750 per month on a luxury long-term rentals site. It’s within easy driving distance of Killarney and shows high monthly rent for premium houses in the wider region.
Source (long-term listing): Fivestar.ie

4-bed country house (c.15 minutes from Killarney) €2,350 per month
A furnished four-bedroom country house advertised as about 15 minutes’ drive to Killarney is listed at €2,350 monthly on property.ie — a top non-holiday monthly rental within the local catchment area and representative of the highest standard long-term lets near the town.
Source (monthly listing): Property.ie