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EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

The new car parking facilities at Killarney’s latest tourism attraction at Tomies Wood does not have the capacity to cope with its popularity. That is according to Mayor of Killarney Brendan Cronin who is calling on the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) to join forces with Kerry County Council to solve potential traffic management issues at the amenity before the anticipated summer rush.

The Tomies Wood car park and walkway to the O’Sullivan Cascade’s Waterfall was officially opened to much fanfare last December.

Access to an area that was once described as "Killarney’s Hidden Gem" has opened the beauty spot to more locals and visitors.

However, the parkland walkway is in danger of becoming a victim of its own success unless action is taken now to prevent major traffic congestion in the area – something that is expected to increase once the current 5k pandemic restrictions are lifted and a projected increase in staycations this summer.

The new car park has a capacity for around 25 to 30 cars but at peak time, especially at the weekends, the car parks become full and visitors start parking on the public roadway.

This has caused access problems for local residents and Cllr Cronin fears that it will someday lead to access problems for emergency vehicles.

He will contribute around €5,000 from his personal annual councillor funding allocation to be put towards access solutions on the public road. Kerry County Council will transfer around €200,000 from another road project that cannot be completed this year towards roadside drainage and access issues.

Cllr Cronin, who has been a long-time supporter of the project, will now write to the NPWS, asking them to play their part in the continued success of the walkway but without an inconvenience to local residents.

“One simple solution is to trunk the side of the road that leads from the entrance to the car park. This would account for another 20 or so cars. The problem is that the car park’s capacity does not fit with the area’s popularity and people start parking in an irresponsible manner. The day an ambulance or a fire engine cannot get in – it will be too late then,” Cllr Cronin told the Killarney Advertiser.

He also pointed out that he very much welcomes the new facility and that it is a welcome addition to Killarney's tourism package.