News
Terrace to be covered as part of Fitzgerald Stadium revamp

by Adam Moynihan
The central section of the iconic O’Connor Terrace is to be covered as part of an ambitious redevelopment project that will radically alter the appearance of the Fitzgerald Stadium.
A new tier is to be added to the top of the terrace with a roof that will stretch roughly from one 20-metre line to the other, according to newly released drawings.
The Scoreboard End will get a new terrace and the Lewis Road End will be converted to an all-seater uncovered stand. The existing O’Sullivan Stand will also be replaced with a new stand.
Plans for the revamp were unveiled as part of the launch of Kerry GAA’s 150 Club, a fundraising scheme that offers individuals and businesses the opportunity to help with the “first step” of the process at a cost of €5,000 a head.
Membership benefits include an option to buy 2023 All-Ireland final tickets, access to tickets for all of Kerry’s championship matches for the next five years, and a season pass that grants admission to all games under the auspices of Kerry GAA in the Fitzgerald Stadium and Austin Stack Park
There are also advertising opportunities for 150 Club members, both in the Fitzgerald Stadium and online.
Those who would like to express an interest in signing up are encouraged to email 150club@fitzgeraldstadium.com.
REBUILD
Apart from the artist’s rendition of what the new stadium is expected to look like, the literature accompanying the launch of the 150 Club is light on specific information about the rebuild. No updates on the expected overall cost of the project, potential funding from other sources, timeline for completion, or projected new capacity are included.
Kerry GAA Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan previously revealed that the redevelopment is expected to cost in the region of €72.5 million.
Judging by the online reaction to the new plans, fans appear to be split on the prospect of a complete overhaul at the famous old ground. There is acceptance across the board that some work is needed – particularly in relation to the existing stand, the scoreboard end, and the toilet facilities – and some supporters are excited about getting a new, state-of-the-art facility.
However, others have voiced concerns about whether or not such a large scale redevelopment is a good idea. From a financial standpoint, neighbours Cork are still saddled with debt following the Páirc Uí Chaoimh rebuild and Kerry folk are eager to avoid a similar fate.
Questions have also been raised about the capacity of the Fitzgerald Stadium. It is not yet known if the revamp will lead to an increased capacity but it has been noted that the stadium is rarely full at its current size.
On the other hand, O’Sullivan has said that part of the reason for fixing up the venue is so that Kerry GAA can “entice Irish and international entertainment acts to this county”. Improvements are certainly needed if that vision is to become a reality.
For all the latest updates on Kerry GAA, follow Adam on Twitter @AdamMoynihan
News
Eight month wait for a driving test in Killarney
A Killarney councillor is calling for action in an effort to reduce the driving test wait list in Killarney The current wait list for a test in Killarney sits at […]

A Killarney councillor is calling for action in an effort to reduce the driving test wait list in Killarney
The current wait list for a test in Killarney sits at eight months.
Cllr John O’Donoghue raised the issue at Monday’s full meeting of Kerry County Council.
He proposed that driving instructors should be employed to carry out the final test to reduce the current backlog.
At Monday’s meeting he asked that hat Kerry County Council would write to the Minister for Transport to ask him to consider giving driving instructors temporary powers to issue a temporary Driving Licence/Certificate of Competence to those on the waiting list for tests.
“The wait is currently far too long and the system is in danger of becoming completely overwhelmed,” he said.
“The huge waiting list for young drivers is well documented at this stage. In a case I am familiar with, a young person passed their theory test in January 2022 and he immediately applied for his mandatory 12 driving lessons. When these were completed, he applied for his driving test on the 2nd of December 2022. Some weeks ago, he still had not received an application to apply for his driving test. This wait is placing him and his family under considerable extra cost and stress which is completely unacceptable.”
In the course of his research into the matter Cllr O’Donoghue discovered that the next available date for a driving test in Killarney is May 25, 2024, while Tralee is June 3 2024.
“Bear in mind, these are only the dates on which you receive an invitation to book your test, the test itself will then be an estimated three to five weeks later.
“This is an appalling situation and one which needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency. I am proposing that driving instructors, which presumably are fully trained up on the rules of the road, be granted temporary powers to be allowed to issue temporary driving licences to young people. When the waiting list time has been reduced, I would still propose that these people sit the test as usual, but the current pressure needs to be alleviated as soon as possible. There is precedent as I believe that in the 1970s, a cohort in this country were issued driving licences without having sat a test as the wait time for the test was too long.”
News
Ballymac charity vintage run on October 1
The Ballymac Vintage Club is hosting a classic car, tractor and Honda 50 run on October 1. The run will leave from and return to the Halfway Bar, Ballymac. Registration […]

The Ballymac Vintage Club is hosting a classic car, tractor and Honda 50 run on October 1.
The run will leave from and return to the Halfway Bar, Ballymac.
Registration begins at 9:30am and sets off at 11am.
“There will be two separate routes with one for tractors and the other for cars and motorbikes. Proceeds on the day are in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre and we’ll have plenty of spot prizes to giveaway too in the morning,” said the club’s PRO Kieran Glover.
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