Changes to Kerry town rejuvenation project approved following intense public consultation

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Plans for a makeover of a Kerry town have been approved at a recent council meeting following significant amendments driven by public feedback.

Killorglin’s public realm improvements were welcomed with delight by elected members, with Councillor Podge Foley praising the council as coming “up trumps” on the plans.

Following a public consultation, the draft plans received 108 submissions expressing both support and concerns, with the naysayers mainly highlighting issues around traffic and parking.

The amended plan reintroduced more spaces, resulting in a net loss of 10 instead of 26 as originally proposed, and retained two-way traffic along Market Street.

“I’m just delighted that a town like Killorglin that has been overlooked for two decades is receiving this massive boost of €8m,” said Cllr Foley.

“It’s been a really tough year with all the changes I’ve tried to bring through the council but, thankfully, the council has come up trumps on this one.”

“When the first plan came out there was a lot of anger and I found that tough to take, but there’s only one thing you can do and that’s take action.

“New road, new pavements, a whole new look to the square…Killorglin is going to be such an attractive town to stop in, it’s going to be a people’s town…I just couldn’t be happier.”

Central to the plans is a significant alteration to The Square along Main Street, creating a vastly bigger public space with street furniture, trees and modern lighting.

Following feedback, the pedestrian area was reduced on one side to reinstate three parking spaces, with a further 17 spaces kept on Lower Bridge Street and Annadale Road.

With the council seeking a location for a new car park/bus park in town, Cllr Foley hopes Killorglin will become a stop for more buses along the Ring of Kerry.

The council also promised to discuss the need for a bypass for Killorglin Town with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and look at Killorglin’s parking bylaws to include two-hour parking in the Fair Field.

Councillor Tommy Cahill also welcomed the amended plans and said it was encouraging that many of the public’s concerns had been listened to.

“This is an exceptionally positive and exciting day for Killorglin,” he said.

“A successful public realm project must strike the right balance between creating a more attractive, pedestrian-friendly town while ensuring accessibility and economic vitality…I believe this project does exactly that and I look forward to progressing it over the coming years.”

“The original proposals generated significant feedback from residents and businesses particularly in relation to traffic flow, the removal of parking spaces and the cumulative impact of ongoing housing developments in the Langford Street area.”

“It is encouraging to see that many of these concerns have been listened to and addressed in the revised plan presented to members today.”

The council also made mention of N70 Iveragh road to Farrantoreen and said they were in discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland about the project.

Cllr Cahill emphasized that any progress on the project would be “exceptionally positive news” for the town and urged the council to put it up on their priority list.

“The need for such a road is clear for everyone to see daily,” he said.