New plans for key Kerry town development shot down

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor’s new plans for a key development site in Killarney have been shot down as the fate of the land hangs in the balance.

Councillor Marie Moloney has been told the inclusion of an arts centre as part of revised plans for the historic Áras Phádraig site would not be permitted under its current and notably large government funding allocation.

Last year, Killarney Municipal District (MD) councillors u-turned on plans for a primary care centre at the site following stiff public resistance.

While the development of a theatre is still on the agenda, councillors’ suggestions of an arts centre and library on the ground, originally designated for the care centre, were abruptly stumped.

At a recent Killarney MD meeting, Kerry County Council (KCC) told elected members that redesign was not an option and adding to the now vacant land would require a whole new application for government funding.

Furthermore, they warned that any change in plans would place any development at “very serious risk” given the likelihood of acquiring similar funding again.

No other funding would “even get close” to the size required for the site’s complete rehabilitation.

KCC remains in discussions with the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund surrounding the creation of a new business case, given the withdrawal of primary care centre plans.

A public plaza, as well as a theatre, is still on the cards for the site which was purchased by KCC from the Franciscan friars for €225,000 in December 2019.