Introduction
Castleisland as a Regional Town in the county, through its strategic geographical location is uniquely poised, and has 4 development objectives.
- Its central location to Castleisland District and to the remainder of County Kerry and beyond the county bounds to both Limerick (West) and Cork (North-West), makes it a vibrant centre of commerce and trade in the county - a Market Town traditionally. It's standing is enhanced by the large choice of goods and Services, excellent value, and unrivalled customer service, the number of easy access points to the town from all directions, plentiful free parking, and short walking distances in the shopping precinct.
- Its Strategic location at the entrance to the County, equally distanced from Tralee, Killarney, Killorglin, and Listowel makes it an attractive lower cost base for Light Industry, Logistic Centres and Service Bases
- At the Gateway to Kerry, with an unrivalled view of the ‘Kingdom’ in all its beauty from the Glounsharoon viewing point and provides many visitors and returning exiles with their first glimpses of a large stretch of the county. As such Castleisland commands a very attractive entry point to the county and has an opportunity to entice some of the large numbers of visitors into our welcoming Town and District, and the extended Sliabh Luachra area, with its many natural and cultural attractions.
- As the (Regions) population grows, ensure that Castleisland Community living continues to maintain the reputation of the Town as a safe, friendly, vibrant and attractive place to live, work and play, delivering all the best experiences generally only available in a smaller community setting. As with most Towns the availability of housing stock will be a key determinant of community growth.
Development of the Public Realm of our Town Centre is a key cornerstone of the development of the town into an attractive destination for all shoppers, business people, workers, tourists and for residents - new and old.
Castleisland, as a Town, through its easy access links from its local hinterland and from/to Tralee, Killarney, Killorglin, Kenmare, and Listowel, in addition to the cities of Cork & Limerick makes it ideally situated to offer an opportunity for genuine local regional development. It is traditionally known as a go to shopping destination for the best choice, value, and customer service, across the broadest retail range, and service platforms (award winning restaurants, all professional services, garages and public and private health services) Further private initiatives within these diverse activities, complemented by public realm improvements, can contribute to the further growth of the Town, and complement the adjacent villages of Castleisland District and Sliabh Luachra enabling rural regeneration in those areas.
Its suitability as a location for Light Industry, Logistic Centres and Service Bases is evident from large number of organizations choosing it as their regional base –Actavo,(Broadband) Vestas,(Wind Energy) Garda Traffic Control, National Roads, Irish Water, Coillte, Kerry Agri, Farm Relief Services, Daly Cold Storage, Local Link Kerry, NEWKD, Kerry County Council MD/Administrative Centre.
It’s strong and vibrant internationally renowned cultural/tourism attractions, which links it, within the county and beyond have been evident through Castleisland’s association with West-Limerick, and North Cork at various times through cultural (Sliabh Luachra Trail), tourism and rural planning/economic development bodies (Leader in Particular – IRD Duhallow and NEWKD) This submission recognises these strong connections and proposes amongst other things, a strategy of strengthening the combined Castleisland and Sliabh Luachra regions, with strategically focused tourism and cultural initiatives, delivered through infrastructural, greenway and cultural investments.
The Castleisland/Sliabh Luachra region has the capacity to grow Agri, Rural and Cultural tourism further, in the context of a strengthened and enlarged but linked local Region, representing the very best of a unique part of Hidden Ireland offering opportunities for an improved local economy, a quality of life and environmental/cultural sustainability that is positive and attractive to residents and visitors alike.