Funding granted to develop former convent into community space

THERE is good news on the horizon for the town of Kenmare which this week has been granted funding to purchase and renovate the former convent in the town.

The property just outside the town will be developed into a community space which is much needed in the town. There is currently no community centre and limited space at the local family resource centre.

The house was the last home of the Sisters of St Clare and is not part of their original convent but is a property purchased by the order for the nuns to reside in the town once their official convent became part of the Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine.

With the announcement last year that the final sisters were moving on from the town Kerry County Council were urged to buy the property which includes five acres of land. Both the property and the site will be of significant benefit to the town. It has suggested that some of the site be used for parking given its central location.

Today, (Monday, April 29) funding of €500,00 has been announced under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the purchase and renovation of the property for a community space. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced a total funding of over €20 million to 82 individual projects to benefit rural towns and villages across the country with Kenmare receiving the highest amount in Kerry.

The funding has been warmly welcomed by local representatives including Cllr Norma Moriarty (FF) who said when completed the new building will ‘help meet the various needs’ in the community: “This is very positive for the community”.

Green party candidate for the Kenmare Electoral Area Cleo Murphy has said this development is vital for the town.

“This is fantastic news for Kenmare. The town has been desperately in need of a community space for many years and now €500,000 is being made available to purchase and renovate the small convent on the Killarney road. Many community organisations are struggling to find spaces for their activities and this will make a huge difference to them. I expect it will also generate more community activity and will motivate volunteers to get involved.”

Both Ballybunion and Dingle also received funding under the Town and Village renewal scheme announced this week. Ballybunion received €250,000 for sustainable public realm enhancement works to the Main Street in Ballybunion to improve mobility, outdoor dining and connectivity.

Dingle received €191,250 for upgrade and enhancement works to Dingle Town Park entrance.