The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MILLTOWN?
MILLTOWN HAS FACED CHALLENGES, BUT ITS YOUNG COMMUNITY HAS PLENTY TO PLAY FOR IN YEARS AHEAD
MILLTOWN is losing out as its locals commuting to work are shopping where they work rather than where they live, according to a socio-economic report carried out by a lecturer at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
Dr Brendan O’Keeffe’s report showed that while Milltown’s population ballooned during the boom, its economic base has contracted severely since.
The report found the town has a disproportionate number of ‘brownfield’ sites and empty shops for a conurbation of its size.
But while change has posed challenges to Milltown, Dr O’Keeffe also outlined many benefits the town has reaped in terms of local amenities, and the potential of its young population.
Kerry County Council sanctioned the report, and approached Dr O’Keeffe in November to undertake the study. The resulting body of work, based primarily on census data, led Dr O’Keeffe to conclude that the ‘pace and scale of change to Milltown is unprecedented among towns and villages in Kerry.’
He found the town’s population has exploded over the last three decades; in 1991 it was Kerry’s 20th largest urban centre, but by 2011 had climbed to 10th.
Between 2002 and 2011 alone, the Milltown Electoral Division’s population jumped by over 60 per cent from just over 1,200 to almost 2,000 people. Half of all the area’s dwellings were built during this period.
“Change has brought many benefits to Milltown,” Dr O’Keeffe said. “New schools, a childcare facility, a community centre and playground are among the amenities that have come on stream.
“Milltown is also more youthful than many towns of its size, and has the potential to further harness social and knowledge capital.
“But change has also presented new challenges as services and infrastructure need further investment in order to service the increased population and enable Milltown to be competitive and grow in a sustainable manner.”
Dr O’Keeffe said Milltown’s profile means it will require strategic responses from Kerry County Council and other statutory bodies.
His report encouraged the community to make full use of its connections with other towns and villages on the Wild Atlantic Way, as well as its association with Listry and Castlemaine.
“While Milltown’s profile has changed very considerably, it has sustained itself for generations because of the relationship between town and countryside,” he added. “Milltown is where people from nearby town-lands come to shop, learn, socialise, and worship. Sustaining the link between town and countryside will be integral to Milltown’s future sustainable development.”
Kerry County Council has said it considers this study the first part of developing a socio-economic plan for Milltown. A funding structure for such a plan will be laid out in response to discussion with Milltown’s community on the area’s future.