The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Daniel O’Connell’ quarter proposed for Cahersiveen town
A NEW public realm space is to be developed on the Killorglin side of Cahersiveen to open up the entrance to the town and create a welcoming, open pedestrian space to encourage visitors and locals to stop and visit the South Kerry town.
Funding of €1,056,380 has been allocated for the town under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
The funding for the Cahersiveen Town Centre Regeneration Project will allow the local authority and local community groups work together to design a regeneration plan for a town which locals say has fallen behind others towns in funding and supports.
The funding is provided under Category Two of this fund, which is to specifically to help develop strategic large-scale town and village regeneration projects across the county. The funds are to be used to further this project and get it ready for the construction stage.
Working in consultation with local community groups, Kerry County Council will now draw up a design for the entire area, incorporating the buildings in the Main Street.
An examination of local authority buildings – including the library, courthouse and the Carnegie Community Centre – will take place in a bid to incorporate the buildings into a brand-new square or public-realm space, termed loosely as the ‘new Daniel O’Connell Quarter’. The former Carnegie building, once a hugely important building in the town, will be revamped as part of the plan, to become a Centre of Learning in keeping with the town’s growing status in this regard and its links with UCC.
Other local authority and significant buildings will be examined, redesigned and re-purposed.
The council’s depots are also to be examined – one behind the Market House in the town, one close to the fire station and another at the pier – and are likely to be developed into open spaces or to provide more parking. The streetscape will also be upgraded, including the footpaths and electricity poles, and cabling is also to be examined.
The project is at a very early stage and consultation will now begin with the local community on how best to rejuvenate Cahersiveen.
The funding is a huge boost and most welcome according to Cllr Norma Moriarty, Fianna Fáil.
“This is for an entire rejuvenation of the town to create an enhanced public realm space,” explained Cllr Moriarty.
“‘This is fantastic news for the town.”
Cllr Norma Moriarty also praised the local community groups who have worked tirelessly on the project, as well as Kerry County Council staff.
Cahersiveen Chamber Alliance has also welcomed the funding for the town.
Chairperson Jack Fitzpatrick said he and others had brought a deputation to Kerry County Council seeking ‘urgent investment’ for the town and that two years later this funding was now announced.
He said that this is very welcome news Cahersiveen, and badly needed.
“Everyone is thrilled at the news. Over the past few months we have all come together as a community more than ever due to the opening of the Skellig Star and it is my hope that this [togetherness] continues.”
He had particular praise for Senior Engineer Padraic Teahan and Siobhan Griffin of Kerry County Council for securing this funding.
New Mayor of Kerry Cllr Patrick Connor Scarteen has welcomed the news .
“It is great positivity for a rural community and a big win for the town,” he said.
Elected officials for the Kenmare Municipal District also welcomed the news of the funding, at the district’s AGM last week at which Cllr John Francis Flynn (Fianna Fáil) was elected as Cathaoirleach.
He said his position was getting off to a good start with the funding announcement for the town. More than €20m be needed for the overall development of Cahersiveen. The funding of just over €1m is for the design stage, which will cost in the region of €1.4m in total.