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Kilcummin works on track as Coolcorcoran road partially re-opens

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By Sean Moriarty

Works on the Kilcummin Sewerage Scheme remain on track despite “unforeseen complications" associated with deep excavations and ground conditions.

Uisce Éireann has confirmed to the Killarney Advertiser that the project will be completed by early 2024 as planned.

A spokesperson said the “short-term inconvenience will be overshadowed by the long-term benefits that the new pipeline will deliver” and, “when complete will accommodate future population growth, improve water quality in the River Deenagh and Lough Leane, and protect the environment and recreational waters”.

The road-closure at Coolcorcoran was lifted earlier this week and will be replaced by a manual stop-and-go system to complete that portion of the works.

“In March, we communicated that a three-week extension to the original road closure on Coolcorcoran Road was required, due to unforeseen complications associated with deep excavations and ground conditions,” an Uisce Éireann spokesperson told the Killarney Advertiser.

“Works on this section progressed slower than originally planned and for this unplanned inconvenience we apologise. To expediate delivery, additional resources were deployed on site to ensure the overall delivery timeframe remained on track.

This section was delayed after the contractor was forced to excavate deeper than originally planned – up to six metres in some sections - to allow for a gravity flow in the system.

“A gravity sewer network will run along the majority of the Kilcummin Road. For the sewage to successfully flow by gravity, without the need to consistently pump wastewater forward, the pipe needs to be installed at a gradient along its length. To achieve this, the pipe must be laid at specific depths along the entire pipeline route,” added the spokesperson.

“Due to the undulating land in this area, the detailed design required circa 25% of the full pipeline on the road to be constructed at depths greater than two metres with certain sections requiring six metre depths.”

CONNECTIONS

Some local councillors called for connections to be made to households who wish to join the scheme now or at a later date to be included in this construction phase.

“The scope of the Kilcummin Sewerage Scheme includes installation of a sewer network and construction of a pumping station. This does not include the provision of connection points or new wastewater connections to properties in the area along the route of the wastewater network. Uisce Éireann, as a utility regulated by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, is unable to offer free connections as per the approved Connections Charging Policy. Regarding making connection applications, as has been communicated since the commencement of project delivery, anyone who has paid for a connection will be connected to the scheme at the standard rate as part of the delivery of the pipeline project, regardless of the depth of the pipe.”

Additionally, an excavation has resulted in making a nearby wall unstable but Uisce Éireann have taken steps to safeguard the general public in this section of the works.

“Kerry County Council have advised Uisce Éireann of a potentially unstable wall along the Coolcorcoran Road. Given that the potentially unstable wall is located adjacent the Uisce Éireann work site, Kerry County Council requested Uisce Éireann to put in place traffic and pedestrian measures to ensure public safety until such time as the wall has been made safe,” said the spokesperson.

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New St author brings Fitzgerald’s story to life

Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong […]

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Talented Killarney author Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, who has penned a fascinating book on the life and times of The Great Gatsby writer F Scott Fitzgerald, has said there is strong anecdotal evidence that the great American wordsmith had Kerry roots.

There has been suggestions that Fitzgerald’s family can traced to Horse Island off Ballinskelligs and research is ongoing to determine if the famous novelist, essayist and short story writer gave any indication of his Kerry connection during his lifetime.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, formerly of New Street, Killarney and now residing in Beaufort, is the author of Gatsby: Death of an Irishman which was released in March to coincide with the 100th anniversary of publication of Fitzgerald’s most famous work.
O’Sullivan Greene’s research found that Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was initially deeply ashamed of his Irish connection but his views softened when he took an interest in revolutionary politics.
The Killarney man’s book guides the reader through F Scott Fitzgerald’s troubled upbringing, his quest for status, his ambivalence towards his Irish heritage, the socio-political climate of early 20th-century America and the careless jazz era excesses portrayed in The Great Gatsby.
The book peels back the intricate layers of Fitzgerald’s character, revealing the underlying themes of identity and self-rejection in his work, his shifting views of Irish issues and how his personal battles influenced his writing and contributed to his tragic life.
Patrick O’Sullivan Greene will deliver what promises to be an engaging talk on the life and times of F Scott Fitzgerald in the ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre in Killarney on Thursday, July 3 at 6.45pm.
Part of the Celebration of Irish and American Friendship programme, the free lecture is titled Revolution, Rejection and Revival and it will mark a celebration of 100 years of The Great Gatsby.
The event will also include a glamorous 1920’s dance spectacular, tuition on how to dance the Charleston and a live performance by Killarney’s own Liberace, Jack Patrick Healy. The master of ceremonies for the event will be Radio Kerry’s Brendan Fuller.
The author will also share the story of how F Scott Fitzgerald’s grandson, Thomas Manhan, came to Ireland to learn Irish following his graduation in 1964.

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U2’s The Edge among new Irish Citizens

U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC. The ceremonies took place on Monday and […]

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U2 guitarist The Edge, whose real name is David Howell-Evans, was among over 7,500 people granted Irish citizenship this week at the INEC.

The ceremonies took place on Monday and Tuesday this week
Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland are making a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State to become Irish citizens.
Seven ceremonies were held over the two days. Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, is joined by Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, and Minister of State for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Niall Collins.
“Today’s ceremony was very moving, the room was full of so many people, everyone from different backgrounds, with different stories. It was a privilege to be a part of it and to experience the collective joy as we all became citizens together. I moved to Ireland with my parents as a baby, so it’s not a stretch to say that this is long overdue! I have always felt Irish, Ireland will always be home to me and I’m so grateful for that,” said The Edge.
Ahead of the ceremonies, Minister O’Callaghan said:: “This ceremony marks an important milestone in the lives of those receiving Irish citizenship. For each new citizen it signifies a deep connection to Ireland, its values, and its people. Ireland welcomes our new citizens as full members of society, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our nation. I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society.”
Minister Brophy congratulated the new citizens, adding: “Migration plays an essential role in Ireland’s development. It strengthens our economy, enriches our cultural diversity, and deepens our sense of solidarity. We are proud to welcome each new citizen as valued members of our communities.”
Judge Paddy McMahon was the Presiding Officer for the ceremonies. administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State, where new citizens commit to observing Irish laws and respecting its democratic values.
The Citizenship Division has seen a significant increase in applications, processing over 20,000 in 2023 and nearly 31,000 in 2024, up from around 12,000 annually just over two years ago.

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