Kerry town ‘major milestone’ plans including digital hub, public can have a say

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Kerry County Council have opened their draft Castleisland master plan up to the public submissions, in what is described as a “major milestone” for the town.

Castleisland’s first town centre master plan along with related public realm enhancements, is now open to public scrutiny and feedback.

Among the suggested improvements is the establishment of a civic centre, with co-working spaces and a tourist office, as well as a major re-balancing of the town centre in favour of pedestrians.

The town park is set to expand, in addition to the establishment of further green spaces and increasing the volume of trees and decorative vegetation in the town centre.

Councillor Jackie Healy-Rae welcomed the announcement and called for the Castleisland community to take the opportunity to provide vital feedback.

“This is a major milestone for Castleisland,” said Cllr Healy-Rae.

“A huge amount of work and local collaboration has gone into getting this plan to this stage, and I want to commend everyone involved, especially the Town Team for their dedication and vision.

“It’s now time for the people of Castleisland and the surrounding areas to have their say on how our town develops into the future.”

Castleisland’s plan places great emphasis on the pedestrianisation of the town’s centre, widening various footpaths and advancing the linking public spaces together.

Main St is planned to host a space for markets along its central section, as well as a revitalised Main Square, which will constitute the focal point of the town centre.

Proposed in the Mart Area of town are improvements to the frequently used pedestrian route along Chapel Lane, prioritising child safety of pupils at the nearby school, and re-imagination of Mart Road as a public space.

Plans state the council will prioritise the redevelopment of sites along Mart Road and hope to draw vitality and character into the area.

Another major proposed initiative is the establishment of a civic centre, with aspirations to repurpose an existing building on Main Street. The centre is suggested to host a digi-hub offering high-speed internet, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and digital support, fostering remote work and entrepreneurship.

Also proposed inside the hub is a tourism office and a small local history and heritage museum, with a modest exhibition space telling the story of Castleisland.

Further parking for the town is featured in the plans along Mart Road and the addition of an overflow carpark, to be activated during markets and festivals. The carpark would ideally be located south of Main Street, according to the plans.

Public realm improvements include applying a 30km/h speed limit on Main St, as well as high visibility crossings and raised crossings along the thoroughfare. The safer routes to school initiative will also be a focus, encouraging children to cycle or walk to school. For pupils travelling from further afield, the existing school drop off point infrastructure will be expanded in key places to ease parent’s issues.

Cllr Healy-Rae said: “This plan belongs to the people of Castleisland. Whether you’re a shop owner, student, resident or community volunteer, your voice matters.

“This is your chance to shape the future of your town and help make Castleisland an even better place to live, work and visit.”

A public drop-in event to present the Draft Masterplan and Public Realm Plan will take place on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at the River Island Hotel, Castleisland.

Submissions can be made online on the council’s portal or by email to townregenerationunit@kerrycoco.ie.