2.1 Introduction & Context

2.1 Introduction & Context

Killarney is located on the Shores of Lough Leane and at the foot of the north-eastern end of the Macgillicuddy’s Reeks and adjoins the 26,000 acres of Killarney National Park and Lakes.  It is ideally placed as the main access point to the Ring of Kerry and forms part of the Kerry Biosphere – (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – Incorporating Killarney National Park, Macgillycuddy Reeks and Caragh River Catchment SAC and Killarney National Park SPA). Killarney is a settlement balancing protection of an exceptional natural environment, ecology and heritage with inherent strengths in tourism, culture, amenity and other dynamic economic activities.

Killarney occupies a very significant place in Irish tourism. Killarney Town is one of the leading locations and attractions for overseas and domestic visitors to the county and is well positioned to contribute to overall ambitions and targets for the sector over the next ten years.  There is also a strong manufacturing sector in Killarney which helps to balance an overreliance on tourism.

The town centre is the focal point of the economic and social activity, and interaction. It has a mix of vibrant uses, sufficient parking and is pedestrian friendly. In order to deliver the vision for Killarney as a vibrant town, this plan places a strong focus on town centre development, retail and urban regeneration opportunities. There has been continued investment in infrastructure and key projects including connectivity and road upgrades and public realm enhancement. Killarney also forms an integral part of the Kerry Hub and Knowledge Triangle with Tralee and Killorglin and is located on the strategic road network linking with the Atlantic Economic Corridor.

2.1.1 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), Key Town – Killarney

Killarney has been identified as a ‘Key Town’ in the Southwest RSES. It is one of eight towns in the South West which will play a significant role in strengthening the urban structure of the Region. This is based on its strategic location and influence, record of performance and delivery, employment and service functions, potential for employment led growth, sub-regional interdependencies and scope for collaboration. The sustainable strategic growth of Killarney shall be planned for in accordance with RSES RPO 11 and RPO 18. The town's population including suburbs is 14,504 (CSO 2016). It is an objective of this plan to facilitate for growth of more than 30% by 2040 for Killarney in line with RPO11a.

The RSES RPO 18 identifies the strategic pathway for the sustainable development of Killarney:

1. To sustainably  strengthen  the  role  of  Killarney  as  a  strategically  located  urban  centre  of  significant  influence  in  a  sub-regional  context,  a  centre  of  excellence in tourism, recreation and amenity sectors, to  promote  its  role  as  a  leader  in  these  sectors,  in  particular training and education, and strengthen its overall  multi-sectoral  dynamic  as  a  key  settlement  in  the  Kerry  Hub  Knowledge  Triangle  accessible  to  regional airport, port, rail and road assets;
2. To seek investment to sustainably support its compact growth and   regeneration, attributes   and infrastructure, including key inter-regional connectivity (transport networks and digital) on the strategic road network between Cork and Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Areas, the Atlantic Economic Corridor and the Kerry Hub Knowledge Triangle.
3. To strengthen ‘steady state’ investment in existing rail infrastructure and seek investment for improved infrastructure and services to ensure its continued renewal and maintenance to a high level in order to provide quality levels of safety, service, accessibility and connectivity.
4. To support infrastructure investment and the regeneration of opportunity sites including the Sara Lee, Aras Phadraig and St Finians.
5. To seek investment in infrastructure that provides for both the resident population and extensive influx of visitors.
6. To support investment in infrastructure and the development of lands to the north of the existing by-pass in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development objectives including the appropriate master plans in consultation with statutory stakeholders.
7. Future growth of the town should be planned for on a phased basis in consultation with the Local Authority and Irish Water to ensure that sufficient wastewater capacity is accounted for and that further growth avoids negative impacts on the downstream freshwater ecosystem in the National Park (River Deenagh, Lough Leane)

2.1.2 County Development Plan

This plan forms part of the main County plan and hence all policies and objectives relating to each chapter in Volume 1 shall apply to Killarney. Further information is contained within each relevant chapter. The land use zoning map relates to the boundary of the former Town Council. The Killarney Environs are contained in the Killarney Municipal District Plan 2018-2024.

2.1.3 Vision & Strategy 

The vision for Killarney is to create an attractive location to live, work and visit. It seeks to mirror the natural environment of Killarney National Park with an exceptional urban experience that sets Killarney apart as a world class tourism destination. It seeks to interweave the fabric of the Urban Core of Killarney seamlessly into the National Park so as to strengthen the role of Killarney as a centre of excellence in tourism, recreation and amenity, creating an attractive location to develop training and education centres of excellence. Killarney should develop in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner aligned with the policy initiatives and objectives of the National Climate Action Plan 2019 and the European Commission’s ‘Green Deal’.

This proposal for developing Killarney Town as a world class tourist destination, seeks to expand and diversify the Town Core’s offering through creating an authentic tourist experience building on and extending the existing culture and heritage of the town through the creation of Cultural and Art/Craft Quarters, creating and defining linkages between areas of historic and cultural significance and sensitively merging the National Park as part of the Town Core experience.

This plan supports the policies and projects contained in the Urban Regeneration Development Fund grant for Killarney entitled; ‘Destination Killarney’ including the five main themes to:

1. Maximise the opportunity for Killarney as a Tourism Destination by enshrining Killarney as a World Class tourism experience by Creation of a World Class Environment governed by the Principal of Universal Access.
2. Improve connectiveness throughout the town and sensitively orientate the town to the National Park, having due regard to nature conservation designations in the area.
3. Alleviate traffic congestion by the transition to Low Carbon and Sustainable Mobility Policies.
4. Develop new visitor experiences by Enhancing and Extending the “Authentic” Killarney Offer.
5.  Promote Town Centre Regeneration & Development (including Áras Phádraig).

In order to achieve the above these/aims it is important to:

1. Maximise the opportunity for Killarney as a Destination enshrining Killarney as a World Class tourism experience by Creation of an Environment governed by the Principal of Universal Access

• Provide an improved quality of life for its residents and stimulate growth in population and services to a level which will maintain a vibrant town, while maintaining and enhancing its physical assets, unique character and natural attributes.
• Aim to ensure that the town is an attractive, liveable, vibrant, well designed urban place that has diverse and integrated communities enjoying a high quality of life and which promotes an enhanced sense of place, liveability and personal wellbeing.
• Sustainably plan for future growth of the town on a phased basis in consultation with Irish Water to ensure that the timely provision of wastewater treatment infrastructure.
• Reaffirm the critical role of the town centre and its heritage status.  Implement positive measures for its continued vibrancy, using its attractive built form as a positive factor while acknowledging the strong level of protection for buildings and structures necessary to maintain its character. 

2. Improve connectiveness throughout the town and orientate the town to the National Park

• Facilitate and promote greater integration of the town and the National Park in a manner compatible with the overriding nature conservation objectives of the National Park.
• Prepare and implement a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to facilitate greater permeability, connectivity and accessibility between the town and the Lough Leane/national park area and between different areas of the town, with priority given to vulnerable road users and alternative sustainable modes of transport. This plan shall be subject to Habitats Directive Assessment and should not adversely impact Natura 2000 sites.

3. Alleviate traffic congestion by the transition to Low Carbon and Sustainable Mobility Policies

• Seek a pathway to transition and sustainable growth for Killarney which is consistent with the National Climate Action Plan 2019, the European Commission policy initiatives that align with the European ‘Green Deal’.    
• Strengthen Killarney’s existing Green Infrastructure and facilitate its expansion.
• Sustainably strengthen the settlement through investment in key pieces of infrastructure such as the completion of the inner relief road and additional parking facilities, at appropriate locations, for locals and visitors alike.

4. Develop new visitor experiences by Enhancing and Extending the “Authentic” Killarney Offer

• Development and promotion of Killarney’s local craft through the designation of the Glebe Craft quarter in the town centre.
• Enhance the Arts/Cultural Heritage Experience through the development of the Áras Phádraig site with improved links to the recently redeveloped Anam Building and Killarney House.
• Strengthen the role of Killarney as a centre of excellence in tourism, recreation and amenity sectors, promote its role as a leader in these sectors, in particular training and education.
• Enhance and expand the tourism function of the town as a world class tourism destination, to ensure it maintains its key role as an economic driver in the area while maintaining the balance between economic success and protection of the local environment.
• Promote and foster a growing sense of innovation, diversity and entrepreneurship in the tourism sector throughout the town and wider region.

5. Promote Town Centre Regeneration & Development (including Áras Phádraig).

• Regeneration of derelict Town Centre Site (Áras Phádraig) to provide a community centred, cultural and commercial hub including a Primary Care Facility with additional parking to support the compact growth of the town and the integration of its community. It will create a public amenity space for the promotion of community and the betterment of its health and wellbeing and will enhance the Arts/Cultural Heritage Experience.
• Ensure underused/vacant and infill/brownfield sites are prioritised for sustainable re-use and re-development.