€100m design set to transform tourism capital

AN ambitious €100 million development that could transform the face of Killarney was unveiled yesterday.

Earmarked for a 14-acre site in the Malton Hotel property, the plan includes an 18,000sq m shopping centre, a hotel block, underground parking for more than 1,000 cars, an eight-screen cinema and a 100m viewing tower as a novel feature.

Behind the venture is a local business consortium, including leading hotelier Padraig Treacy and developers Michael O’Shea and Risteard O Lionaird, of Sunday’s Well Properties.

The trio own the Malton Hotel, formerly the Great Southern Hotel, and a planning application for the latest development is due to be lodged with Killarney Town Council in May.

The project, on a site with town centre zoning, has the potential to create more than 700 jobs, according to the developers.

If planning permission is granted, the project will be the biggest of its kind to be undertaken in Killarney, a town which has been losing ground in the retail sector to neighbouring Tralee in recent years.

However, Killarney has seen huge investment in tourism facilities such as hotels, pubs and restaurants, and is witnessing an upsurge in shopping facilities.

Last year, plans by Marks and Spencer to move into Tralee were turned down by Tralee Town Council, but M&S will, instead, be opening a store in Killarney in May.

Michael O’Shea said Killarney was losing heavily to other towns and cities which were considered more attractive shopping destinations. “A retail impact assessment shows a 43% leakage of shoppers from Killarney and that is something that needs to be addressed,” he added.

Mr Treacy said the emphasis would be on a top quality development in keeping with the environment of Killarney.

The planning application will be made after a period of public consultation during which interested parties will be invited to make submissions.

A spectacular viewing tower would look out on the panorama of lakes and mountains for which Killarney is internationally famous, he added.

“It would be a landmark tourist attraction and would also be ideal for receptions, launches and other such events,” Mr Treacy, who is also managing director of the Killarney Park and Ross Hotels, said.