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EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

Killarney is one of eight urban centres across the country that have been selected by Fáilte Ireland as a centre of outdoor dining. Under the scheme, Killarney Municipal District will be able to apply for funding for outdoor dining infrastructure.

Other towns included in the scheme are Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Cork and Athlone.

The funding, announced last Friday by Fáilte Ireland, will fall under two categories: the Outdoor Dining Grant Scheme and the Urban Animation Grant Scheme.

The former will improve the quality of outdoor dining spaces as social distancing is expected to carry on even after the entire country is vaccinated and life returns to some degree of normality.

The second grant will animate Ireland's cities and towns with innovative lighting and art installations and will be open to a total of 31 towns including Killarney.

“The Outdoor Dining Grant Scheme will improve the quality of outdoor dining spaces and offer reassurance around safety and comfort, and the Urban Animation Grant Scheme will animate our cities and towns with innovative lighting and art installations,” Kerry TD Brendan Griffin said. “Amongst its key projects for 2021, Fáilte Ireland has also committed to the enhancement of urban areas through the 31 Destination Town projects across the country.”