Calls for more parking at popular Kerry beach

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Kerry County Council has been urged to source additional parking for a key south Kerry beach following July’s heatwave.

Councillor Dan McCarthy asked if the council could rent ground for a car park at O’Carroll’s Cove for the summer months at a recent Kenmare Municipal District meeting.

He described the current capacity as ‘very minimal’, with busy days forcing beach goers to park on both sides of the Ring of Kerry road.

On one particular day he said the road was blocked both ways by cars parked on the verges.

Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae supported the motion, arguing that prior space had been taken up by the introduction of the cycle lane leading up to the beach.

He said if he were to go to the beach for a day, he wasn’t going to turn round if the parking was full but find a space where he could.

“It’s a massive amenity to have,” Cllr Healy-Rae said of the beach.

“For small money for three months of the summer it would make a massive difference.”

He added that the new cycle lane had seen very little use, and resulting layout was an example of ‘nonsense’.

Kerry County Council replied that they prioritise funding for blue flag beaches, five of which are in the Kenmare MD.

While they accepted O’Carroll’s Cove was popular, it was not a blue flag beach and they would be ‘unlikely’ to be in a position to develop additional parking at the site.