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Where will our next generation live?

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4 years ago

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By Ted Healy of DNG TED HEALY

With planning permissions being overturned by An Bord Pleanála in the local news this week, it is interesting to note that it is estimated in excess of 50,000 housing units could be completed in the country in the two years to the end of 2023, according to the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).

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In its latest Housing Market Monitor, the BPFI said that it could help meet the demand for housing which is being driven by employment growth and rising incomes.

Estimates from various bodies say the industry needs to be completing between around 30,000 and 35,000 housing units per year to keep pace with demand and projected population increases.

Others argue that the figure is likely much higher when demand for rental accommodation and the trend towards smaller household composition is taken into account.

The Central Bank forecast earlier this year that 24,500 units would be completed this year - 29,000 in 2023 and 33,000 in 2024.

According to Brian Hayes, CEO of the BPFI, "The Irish banking sector has the capacity to provide further sustainable mortgage lending. Taking all factors into account however is it critical that housing supply needs to continue to increase in order to moderate house price increases and enhance affordability in the market.”

Residential property prices increased by just over 14% in the year to June, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the supply of properties continued to lag demand.

“The fundamental driver of the significant increase in average residential property prices in Ireland in recent years has been the lack of supply of new homes as opposed to lending growth, which was observed in mid-2000s," Ali Uğur, Chief Economist, Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, said.

He referenced Central Bank figures which showed that as of the end of 2021, over 45% of mortgage lending had been issued under lending rules introduced by the regulator in 2015 which restricted lending based on income and the value of the property.

So with national house building numbers on the rise, what about locally?

The recent An Bord Pleanála decision to refuse planning permission for the construction of a 228 unit development on Port Road has received a mixed reaction. A separate planning permission for a development of 30 units in Ballycasheen, Killarney, was overturned by the Bord earlier this year.

With little new home development on the horizon for Killarney being the net result, where are our next generation to live?

A shortage of available properties for sale, both new build and second hand, in the Killarney market has led to spiralling house prices. Now with no major increased supply expected in the short to medium term, prices can be expected to remain strong, despite forecasted interest rate increases.

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Record turnout for third edition of the Streets of Killarney Five-Mile

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5 hours ago

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10 April 2026

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The third annual Streets of Killarney Five-Mile Road Race took place on Good Friday, firmly establishing itself as a premier event on the national athletics circuit.

Hosted by Killarney Valley Athletic Club (KVAC), the race saw 1,000 runners take to the town’s streets, with all available entry spots snapped up a full month before the starting gun.

The “fast and flat” course attracted a high-calibre field of elite athletes alongside hundreds of local amateur runners.

Oisin Murray of An Ríocht A.C. claimed the top spot in the men’s category with a time of 24:03, while Leevale A.C.’s Michelle Finn led the women’s field, crossing the finish line in 27:07.

A major highlight of the evening was the participation of official race ambassador and Canadian Paralympian Maddie Wilson-Walker.

A world-class double amputee who lives and trains in Killarney with KVAC, she completed the 5-mile course to a massive reception from the local crowd.

Following the race, she was formally honoured by the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Martin Grady, for her resilience and her impact on the local sporting community.

Jeremiah Griffin, Chairperson of Killarney Valley AC, praised the continued growth of the event.

He noted that the proceeds are vital for the ongoing development of the club’s athletics facility, ensuring it remains a top-class resource for both young and old in the area.

The event was blessed with calm and mild running weather, a fortunate break given that a Status Yellow weather warning and a severe storm hit the region less than 24 hours later.

Photos by:Olga Derevyanko

Streets of Killarney 5-Mile Results 2026
Top Male Finishers

1. Oisin Murray (An Ríocht A.C.)24:03
2. Jake O’Regan (St. John’s A.C.)24:12
3. Juan Peña (Raheny Shamrock A.C.)24:45
Top Female Finishers

1. Michelle Finn (Leevale A.C.)27:07
2. Amy Pollman Daamen (An Ríocht A.C.)28:22
3. Lily Riordan (Star of the Laune A.C.)28:26

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World domination for Áine Murphy dancers in Chicago

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8 hours ago

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10 April 2026

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Six dancers from the Áine Murphy Dance Academy in Gneeveguilla have returned from Chicago following a massive haul of medals and titles at the World Irish Dance Championships.

The highlight of the trip saw Marcus O’Sullivan from Milltown crowned World Champion in the Under 13 Boys category.

This is Marcus’s third consecutive world title, a feat that follows his All-Ireland win in Killarney earlier this spring.

His year has been further marked by a personal invitation from Michael Flatley to perform at the 30th-anniversary opening of Lord of the Dance.

In the Under 19 competition, Kilcummin’s Caoimhe O’Halloran secured a podium finish, bringing a coveted World Globe back to Kerry.

Her success is particularly notable as she missed last year’s event due to injury and is currently preparing for her Leaving Certificate.

Eleven-year-old Isabelle O’Sullivan from Rathmore also reached the world stage podium, finishing 6th in the Under 12 category.

Her sister, Grace O’Sullivan, and Kayla Fleming from Brosna both successfully made the final recall in their divisions, while Killarney’s Grace O’Leary achieved a personal best in her first-ever World Championship appearance.

The Academy expressed their gratitude to the local businesses, families, and communities whose fundraising efforts made the trip to the United States possible.

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