Live electronic signs could help Kerry town’s chronic traffic issues says councillor

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor has called for the installation of electronic signs around the county’s tourism capital to help alleviate traffic issues.

At a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting, Councillor John O’Donoghue suggested the provision of road signs providing live updates of car park capacities in Killarney town could save road users trips into town.

The average daily traffic on Killarney’s N22 bypass road has steadily increased to over 19,300 in 2025, from around 18,600 in 2023.

A shuttle bus service was introduced last year to help ease chronic gridlock in the town but with overwhelming volumes of traffic daily, the issue persists.

“The traffic congestion in Killarney is well aired at this stage,” said Cllr O’Donoghue, “and I am happy to know that there are a variety of projects plans which will help alleviate the problem a little.

“I am convinced that the congestion is not helped by motorists having to drive into the centre of town during summer months, only to find the carpark they have arrived at is already full.”

“They then spend the next few minutes in a line of cars slowly circling the carpark waiting for someone else to pull out, all the while the traffic at the entrance to the car park gets blocked up.”

Cllr O’Donoghue highlighted the notice boards already installed in many car parks which advise of the available spaces left and asked if similar infrastructure could be installed on the periphery of the town.

While council previously costed the works at €1m, they agreed to look at the proposal again and potential sources of grant funding.