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Áras Phádraig – Think of the traffic as councillors set to vote today on its future

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By Sean Moriarty

Opinion: Áras Phádraig – Think of the traffic as councillors set to vote today on its future , the seven elected members of the Killarney Municipal District will vote on the future of Áras Phádraig.

The decision they make will shape the centre of our town for decades to come. But as they prepare to cast their votes, we must ask but at what cost?
On the table is a plan that includes the development of a large medical centre on the site.
Councillors may claim their hands are tied. They may say it’s the only way to fund the long-awaited redevelopment.
But since when does the HSE have the final say over a town-owned site?
After all, we’ve been repeatedly told that sites like St. Finan’s cannot be transferred to agencies like the Land Development Agency. Why is this any different?
There is already a suitable option for a modern Primary Care Centre. the soon-to-be-vacated District hospital on St Margaret’s just outside town.
That is where it belongs. Not in the middle of a congested area like Lewis Road.
Let’s be clear: a six-storey development in the centre of Killarney would be a disaster for traffic.
The town is already gridlocked on busy days.
Adding a major new medical facility to an already strained area will only make things worse.
And what about the residents of the Lewis Road cottages? The impact on their homes and daily lives hasn’t been seriously considered.
Killarney has a long history of letting state-owned buildings rot while plans go nowhere.
Just look at St Finan’s or Pretty Polly.
Yes, the Aras has to be redeveloped, and it is long overdue, but its purpose is better served as a cultural centre (at the same height as the current building) and not as a medical centre.
It’s time for our councillors to stop rubber-stamping bad decisions and start fighting for sensible planning.
Killarney deserves better. Today’s vote should be about more than ticking boxes,
It should be about protecting the future of the town.

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Centra Muckross Road supports Kerry Stars with bottle return donation

Centra Muckross Road supports Kerry Stars with bottle return donation

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Sheahan’s Centra on the Muckross Road has made a significant donation to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Sports Club using proceeds from unclaimed deposits at the shop’s bottle return machine.


Aisling Sheahan and the team at the Muckross Road store presented the cheque to members of the club this week. The funds were generated through the return scheme located at the front of the shop, where customers have the option to donate their return vouchers to local causes.
The donation comes at a busy time for the Kerry Stars, who have returned to training this week following the Easter break. The club provides a wide range of sporting outlets for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, including athletics, therapeutic horse riding, basketball, and soccer.
Preparation is also underway for the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, which take place in Dublin this June. Four athletes have been selected to represent the Kerry Stars at the national event.
The club is currently open to new members across most of its disciplines, though a long waiting list remains for Friday evening swimming sessions as the group continues its search for a qualified swim coach in Killarney. Training will continue until the summer break in May before resuming again in September.
Those interested in joining the club or inquiring about the coaching vacancy can contact Kerry Stars at kerrystars63@gmail.com or by calling 087 2365664.

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Soroptimist make €3k donation to Rockmount Care Centre

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Members of the Killarney Soroptimist Society visited the Rockmount Care Centre on Wednesday, to present a cheque for €3000 to Nurse Manager Mary Hussey.


The significant sum was raised during the society’s successful annual pancake morning held on Shrove Tuesday at the Killarney Avenue Hotel.
Rockmount Care Centre provides essential support as a dedicated day care facility for individuals living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, serving many clients and families from the Killarney area.
These funds arrive at a vital time, as they are earmarked for the centre’s new sensory garden project, which is currently in the design phase.
Pictured at the presentation are Soroptimists members handing over the proceeds to Mary Hussey. The society extended their thanks to the Killarney Avenue Hotel and all those who supported the fundraiser to help make this donation possible.

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