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Plans revealed for St Finan’s future

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By Anne Lucey

 

The HSE has this week revealed its plans for the future of St Finan’s Hospital – saying they are to transfer 5.77 acres to Kerry County Council for social housing.

It was also revealed that a new community nursing unit is also in the pipeline, as the HSE plans to lodge a planning application shortly.

A third level outreach college is also very likely to be part of the new plans as well - though exactly for what discipline has not been made clear.

There were mounting concerns about the future of the landmark Victorian listed building which overlooks Killarney town since it became vacant in 2012 - including from Cllr Michael Gleeson who slammed the lack of progress at a Council meeting last week – saying the building is in serious danger of becoming derelict.

The Council and the IT Tralee have now approached the HSE together through the interstate transfer of property process and have, it seems, been offered at least part of the building and some of the lands.

“Kerry Council have confirmed that they wish to acquire 5.77 acres to the north of the Ring Road at Ballydribeen and the disposal of this element is being progressed with Kerry Council,” the HSE said in a statement this week.

“The Council was engaged with Irish Rail regarding improving access to the site. The HSE will retain part of the main campus at St Finan’s to facilitate the development of a community nursing unit. This is currently being developed as part of a National Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative and a planning application for this proposed development will shortly be submitted to Kerry County Council.”

While the HSE has not said what the IT Tralee plans are, it confirmed the IT Tralee had expressed an interest and it has been offered what remains of the property, excluding the social housing and nursing unit elements.

“The Institute of Technology Tralee, in conjunction with Kerry County Council, have expressed an interest in acquiring the remaining property at St Finan’s via the interstate transfer of state property process. The HSE has recently written to IT Tralee/KCC and is currently awaiting final confirmation of their continued interest in acquiring the remaining property,” the HSE said.

The annual preventive maintenance costs for the vacant building and site at St Finan’s site amount to  €17,000 per year.

 

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Community College TY students become qualified baristas

School Dayz Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas. They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make […]

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School Dayz

Transition Year students at Killarney Community College spent last Tuesday learning the skills to become baristas.

They completed a full-day training course and are now qualified to make coffee, which could make them very employable in local cafes and restaurants this summer.
Their teachers, who are described as the school’s “resident coffee experts,” were impressed with the students’ hard work and enjoyed the lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos the students made throughout the day.
In addition to their barista training, the TY students also took a trip to Mallow. There, they learned about the rules of the road, practiced the driver theory test, and many got behind the wheel of a car for the first time. They also learned about the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

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Rising stars Amano and Lillie Foley to share stage in ANAM

Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre. Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer […]

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Two of Killarney’s rising musical talents, Amano and Lillie Foley, are set to perform their first ever joint headline concert at the ANAM Cultural Centre.

Singer-songwriter and sean nós singer Amano will bring her ‘Mythilligocial Meitheal Tour’ home for a special live performance of both her contemporary and traditional music.

Joining her on the night is local rising star Lillie Foley, making it a special event to celebrate two young Killarney songwriters making their mark on the Irish music scene. The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

Amano, described by Hot Press in 2024 as an “idiosyncratic talent” is comfortable performing in both English and Irish, draws influences from alt-folk, R&B, and traditional sean-nós singing.

Her project THREAD was nominated for Irish language Album and Song of the year at the Gradaim Nós in 2024.

Her recent singles, ‘Burn’ and ‘The Birthing House’, have received airplay on RTÉ Radio 1, Radio Kerry, and Raidió na Life.

Lillie Foley, a 22-year-old singer who recently graduated from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance with a BA in Voice, has released two debut singles in 2025, ‘Someday’ and ‘That’s Life’, which blend pop, soul, and folk genres.

The event is supported by Kerry County Council Arts Office.

The concert will take place on May 23, at the ANAM Cultural Centre in Killarney, starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are available from €15 plus a booking fee on Ticketpass.org.

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