‘Somebody will be killed': Ring of Kerry locals call for footpath on ‘extremely dangerous’ road

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Residents on the Ring of Kerry have warned that “somebody will be killed” if footpath plans aren’t followed through on the scenic coastal route.

Community representatives from Caherdaniel made their case to councillors last week for the construction of a pedestrian path between the village and the adjacent O’Carroll’s Cove, as well as investment for a community hub.

John O’Shea, owner of the Wave Crest Caravan Park and member of the Caherdaniel Development Committee (CDC), recalled people walking along the stretch of road at night, warning that someone will be killed.

The bends and visibility make the section particularly hazardous, he said, with the three caravan parks along the route hosting thousands of visitors every day during the summer months.

He hailed the recent installation of a footpath between West Cove and O’Carroll’s Cove as a great success and said a similar project along the road to Caherdaniel would produce a “significant improvement to safety and quality of life” of locals.

“A linked footpath would make a seamless and scenic route through one of Ireland’s most beautiful areas,” he said.

Anna Meria Costello, another member of the CDC, took the opportunity at the Kenmare Municipal District meeting to make her case for investment in a community hub for Caherdaniel.

She said the closure of the village shop was felt “very keenly” and urged the council to help the community find a location for a community hub.

Residents needed somewhere for a small shop, tea and coffee making facilities, public toilets, a meeting room and gallery space she said, highlighting the thriving artistic community in the village.

“Theres been a groundswell of artistic activity in the parish over the last few years and many of those involved share our vision of Caherdaniel as a vibrant and buzzing centre for the arts,” said Anna Meria.

Councillors were unanimous in their support for deputation, with Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae saying the lack of footpath to the village was “an accident waiting to happen”.

“It’s extremely dangerous,” he said, “a footpath would be absolutely massive for Caherdaniel.”

However, council officers advised that funding was “significantly constrained”, highlighting that any works on the national second road were dependent on TII.

While they recognised the “merit” in the project, they pointed to four other significant projects already underway on the Ring of Kerry and which ahead in the council’s priority.

Council officers said they would talk to the TII and potentially get the project included in their plans for 2027.

The request for a community hub was also welcomed by councillors, who urged the council to put the proposal into future council plans.

Councillor Norma Moriarty accepted the village was “hamstrung” by the lack of publicly owned land but argued that new regulations introduced “stronger teeth” for public bodies around derelict sites.

The acquisition of a key derelict site could “unlock everything else for Caherdaniel”, she emphasised.

She described the situation as a “chicken and egg scenario”, where a feasibility study couldn’t be carried out because there was no council owned land, but a study may prove key in promoting the land acquisition.

Cllr Healy-Rae urged the council to add the plans, “at least”, to paper and initiate the first step.