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EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

Killarney’s reputation as a forward thinking town continues despite the world being in the middle of a pandemic. Several new businesses, many of whom will thrive even further when tourists return, have opened in the town centre since the start of the year. More are preparing to open and others have changed hands to ensure they will continue to serve the people of Killarney and visitors in years to come.

The biggest new name on Killarney streets is Lana, a nationwide chain of Asian street food restaurants and takeaways.

A new outlet which is set to open this week on College St will be the 15th in Lana’s ever expanding national chain.

Killarney is set to get a new family restaurant very soon too with the opening of 'Shake, Waffle, and Roll' in the early spring.

Hugga Mugga is a new café recently added to College St since Christmas and another café is expected to replace Gloria Jeans on New St.

Another new addition to the streets of Killarney in recent days is a coffee shop called Bean in Killarney, a sister operation to Bean in Dingle which has been trading for nearly six years.

The Crêpe House Killarney in Old Market Lane opened before this third lockdown but they are doing very well with a takeaway service.

“There is great optimism for the future,” Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce president Niall Kelleher told the Killarney Advertiser.

“There is great confidence in the market when people are allowed trade. Let us be clear, people are closed because of a worldwide pandemic, but Killarney has a great offering and when we can open again, people are going to want to come to Killarney. So there is a lot of confidence there.”

Meanwhile, Mac’s of Main St has changed hands ensuring the popular eatery will continue to serve the people of Killarney and its visitors for years to come.

The new proprietors are planning a large-scale refurbishment before reopening.