Call for action to protect Killarney lakes water quality

Kerry TD Michael Cahill has called for urgent steps to protect water quality in Lough Leane and Muckross Lake following recent algae blooms.

The Fianna Fáil deputy raised the issue through a Parliamentary Question after Kerry County Council erected warning signage around affected areas.
In a Ministerial response, it was confirmed that the EPA maintains an open compliance investigation into the Killarney Wastewater Treatment Plant, which remains on the agency’s Priority Areas List. While Uisce Éireann has begun strategic assessments for a major upgrade, construction work is not projected to finish until after 2030.
Deputy Cahill expressed concern over the timeframe, stating that interim improvements must be implemented while long-term works are progressed. He stressed that delays risk harming the local environment, biodiversity, and tourism economy.
The response also confirmed that Lough Leane and Muckross Lake are included in the Ross Bay Priority Area for Action under the Water Action Plan 2024. Deputy Cahill urged continued collaboration between Kerry County Council, the EPA, Uisce Éireann, agricultural bodies, and local communities to safeguard the lakes.

Ukrainian exhibition brings ‘Towel of Unity’ to Killarney

The Ukrainian community in Kerry presented the international outdoor exhibition “The Towel of Unity – The Towel of Victory” at St Mary’s Church on Saturday.

Organised by Future of Ukrainian Nation (FOUN Kerry), led by Chairperson Natalia Eismont and coordinator Iryna Samborska, the cultural initiative celebrated Ukrainian heritage while fostering solidarity between Ireland and Ukraine.
At the centre of the display was a 166-metre embroidered towel, known traditionally as a rushnyk. Created by Ukrainian communities across dozens of countries, each section represents global resilience and connection. The project was originally founded by Andrii Yatsenko in Estonia, with his wife Svitlana joining individual pieces from around the world into one continuous artwork.
A key moment of the Killarney event saw the official addition of the embroidered piece crafted by the Ukrainian community in Ireland to the master banner.
The outdoor exhibition offered local residents and visitors a chance to learn about traditional Ukrainian customs and the symbolic meaning behind the rushnyk, which represents protection, heritage, and unity. FOUN Kerry expressed gratitude to local authorities, clergy, and the Kerry community for their ongoing support and warm welcome.