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Macroom bypass finally gets the green light

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ABOUT TIME: Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin announced on Wednesday night that the long-awaited Macroom by-pass has been given the go-ahead.

By Sean Moriarty

The long-awaited €280m Macroom bypass – which will alleviate long travel times for Kerry motorists – has finally been given the go-ahead by Central Government.

On Wednesday night, news broke that the new 22km stretch of dual-carriageway from Ballyvourney village to Coolcower, east of Macroom, was confirmed.

It’s expected that construction will take around three-and-a-half years to complete.

The new road will reduce journey times between Cork city and County Kerry and will be welcomed by tourism and industry officials in both counties.

The proposed new road development will begin to the west of Ballyvourney, tying into the existing N22 on the main Cork/Killarney/Tralee route, bypassing the town of Macroom before crossing the River Laney and River Sullane and re-joining the existing N22 at Coolcower – relieving congestion and traffic jams at peak hours in Macroom.

Along the existing N22 there are many accesses and junctions which have inadequate sight distance.

Overtaking opportunities along the route are limited. In recent years, the high accident rates continued, with the N22 ranking as one of the highest fatal and serious collision routes in the country.

The section east of Ballyvourney is a mixture of single carriageway widths, with no hard shoulders or verges and prone to slow moving traffic.

“I am glad to have worked hard from within Government to help secure approval of this significant national road project for the South West region of the country,” Kerry TD, Minister of State for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin, said.

“The N22 project further opens up the National Road Network in the country, providing a better connection for traffic travelling between Cork and Kerry. I also welcome the benefits that this project will deliver, such as connecting rural communities and improved inter-urban accessibility for the South West region and my home county.”

 

 

 

 

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Anseo bus service carries 20,000 passengers in first four months

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The TFI Anseo bus service in Killarney has carried more than 20,000 passengers in its first four months of operation, according to figures released by the National Transport Authority in partnership with TFI Local Link Kerry.


The demand responsive service, which launched on August 11, has seen steady growth, reflecting strong local take up and increasing demand for sustainable transport options in the town.

In the run up to Christmas, the service reached another milestone when 2,023 passengers used Anseo in a single week, the highest weekly total since its introduction and the first time weekly usage passed the 2,000 mark.


To meet growing demand, operating hours were extended in early October. The service now runs from 6.30am to 11pm, seven days a week, providing greater flexibility for commuters, shoppers and visitors.


Edmund Betagh, TFI Local Link Programme Manager at the NTA, said the figures showed the service was making a real difference in Killarney and highlighted the community’s support for accessible and reliable public transport.


Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, said the extended hours had further improved accessibility and given people an additional transport option for daily travel.


TFI Anseo operates as a smart, app based service within a designated Killarney zone and is funded through the Government’s Climate Action Fund under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

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‘Old Shed Door’ photo wins Camera Club’s Unrestricted Competition

Killarney Camera Club has announced the results for the Unrestricted Category of its monthly competition, which cantered on the theme of Texture. The winning photograph in the Unrestricted Category is […]

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Killarney Camera Club has announced the results for the Unrestricted Category of its monthly competition, which cantered on the theme of Texture.

The winning photograph in the Unrestricted Category is ‘The Old Shed Door’ by Ade Desbrow.
Mr Desbrow captured his winning image unexpectedly just before demolishing an old shed at the bottom of his garden.
He was drawn to the shed’s old timber door, where an antique bolt provided the ideal subject, covered in dust, cobwebs, and years of weathering.
Award-winning photographer Vivian Buckley delivered this month’s critique, praising the winning shot for its quality. Mr. Buckley noted that the final photo displayed incredible clarity, detail, and sharpness. He also highlighted the perfect lighting and reflection from an old mirror beneath the door, which captured “every grain of wood and every delicate thread of cobweb”.

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