Kerry town set for major rejuvenation and one Kerry councillor is ‘over the moon’

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

The public can now make submissions regarding a series of major pedestrian-friendly improvements in Killorglin which Kerry County Council has put on display this week.

The proposed works include a significant alteration to The Square along Main Street, creating a vastly bigger public space with street furniture, trees and modern lighting.

Part of a €6.5m investment in Killorglin, which will include the repurposing of the derelict courthouse as a cultural and heritage centre and the re-use of a key vacant buildings as a multifunctional hub for tourism, education, training and co-working purposes, the works will transform the town’s centre into a more pedestrian friendly area.

Councillor Podge Foley was “over the moon” with the funding and said it would transform Killorglin into the “most beautiful little town in Ireland”.

“For decades the square and lower bridge street, where I grew up had been forgotten about with a lot of empty buildings. This broke my heart as I loved my street so much to just let it go. We had to do something,” said Cllr Foley.

“This funding is going to transform Killorglin into the most beautiful little town in Ireland. The previous Killorglin Chamber Alliance chair Shane McElroy put in a load of thankless work into this regeneration project and the lights on the bridge.”

“I have always maintained that the friendliness of our community is our biggest asset and anyone passing through here must always stop to enjoy the authentic experience.”

The split in the road at the top of main street is set to be consolidated into a single lane to allow the creation of the pedestrian area. Two controlled crossings and one uncontrolled crossing are proposed.

An art feature will also be added to the Square, though there are no details yet on what this may be.

Francie Sheahan’s Bar on Main Street said the plans looked “lovely” and, in combination with the South Kerry Greenway, would be a huge advantage for businesses in the town.

“There will be cyclists and walkers coming through the town and it will be a great stop-off point for them. It’ll be a great visual improvement for visitors to the Square and around the town. The plans look lovely,” they said.

One of the main tracts through Killorglin, Market Street, will be converted from two-way traffic to a one-way system in the southerly direction. Parallel parking with become available on both sides of the street as well as “generous” footpaths and additional controlled pedestrian crossings.

Footpaths leading up the Square will be widened on both sides of Lower Bridge Street with landscaping and better delineated parallel parking on the street. The mini roundabout is planned to be improved with controlled pedestrian crossings on three approach roads.

The Killorglin Chamber Alliance welcomed the proposals, with chairperson Chris McGillycuddy saying the works were “brilliant” for the progression of the town.

“Its great. The rural regeneration and development fund has been going on since 2021 and the Killorglin Chamber Alliance has been working very closely with the council on this,” said Mr McGillycuddy.

Submissions for the Killorglin Public Realm consultation must be received by 4pm on 27 November to be considered. They can be made through the council consultation portal.