Kerry’s new college hailed for making Killarney the official ‘tourism capital of Ireland’ as millions allocated for site purchase

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry TD has praised the allocation of over €2m for the purchase of a site for the county’s new tourism college, saying the institute will “mark Killarney officially as the tourism capital of Ireland”.

Kerry TD, Michael Cahill, welcomed the earmarking of €2.3m for the Kerry Education and Training Board’s acquisition of the former Pretty Polly site in Killarney.

Plans for a tourism sector training college at the site were first announced in 2022, with an initial capacity of 3000 students set to increase as it becomes more established. The college attached to the Munster Technological University and will transform the derelict area in Killarney into a bustling student hub.

Deputy Cahill, said: “This is immense news for the town, and it will mark Killarney out officially as the tourism capital of Ireland, by facilitating a Hospitality Sector Training College attached to the Munster Technological University (MTU) right in the heart of our county.”

“It is only logical of course that the centre of population with the highest level of experience in the tourism sector, would be the perfect place to tap into that long held and earned experience.

“I am delighted that our Minister, James Lawless and our Government has recognised this and are willing to get behind the people of Killarney and Kerry in this extremely important programme with significant investment funds and a commitment to prosper the whole Tourism Industry.”

The hub will include a centre of excellence for hospitality as well as a centre of excellence for renewable energy and sustainable green technologies.

The former Pretty Polly site has long lain derelict, with numerous calls over the years for its rehabilitation. A new lease of life was given to the site in 2022, when the former Minister for Higher Education and current Tánaiste, Simon Harris, visited to announce plans for the college.

However, concerns over the progress of the site plans and funding acquisition were raised earlier this year with Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism expressing disappointment at the lack of momentum.

Deputy Cahill and then Deputy Brendan Griffin had sought news on multiple occasions about the project’s development, receiving the consistent response that the project was still in preliminary stages.

With the release of funding for the site’s purchase, Deput Cahill was delighted his lobbying efforts had paid off.

Aware of previous tourism education schemes which were no longer available in Killarney, Deput Cahill said he had been “bending ears” about the college plans since he entered Leinster House.

“Some will remember the Council for Education, Research and Training (CERT) that was run at the Torc Great Southern Hotel on Lower Park Road back in the 70’s and I always thought it was a shame this had not been continued,” he said.

“Now all the lobbying, phone calls, Parliamentary Questions, Notices of Motions to Kerry County Council are all well worth it. I am seriously genuinely pleased to have helped to get this across the line for Killarney and Kerry and I will stick with it until the first students enter the front door to begin their new careers.”