Tourism bodies welcome plans for observation wheel

PLANS for 38-metre high observation wheel for Killarney are being welcomed enthusiastically by the local tourism industry – but some local traders are claiming it could cost them business because of lost parking space.

The proposed wheel has been described as “a smaller version of the London Eye”. It would, reportedly, offer visitors spectacular views of the famous lakes and mountains and would be located in the town’s biggest car park, at New Street.

A planning application is being considered by Killarney Town Council.

Several leading tourism figures, as well as groups such as the Irish Hotels Federation and Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, have made supporting submissions.

General manager of the Malton Hotel Conor Hennigan, dubbed it “an innovative project” and a brave proposition at a difficult time for the tourism industry.

But, he said, tourism was the lifeblood of Killarney and an industry that still offered great opportunities.

“It [the whee] would also allow people who briefly visit the town, particularly those attending conferences, to really appreciate the vista that surrounds Killarney. Some visitors never venture outside the town,” Mr Hennigan remarked.

Owner of the Killarney Park Hotel Padraig Treacy said the majority of visitors never saw the real beauty of the Killarney Valley, but views from the wheel would encourage further exploration of the area.

Micheal O’Donoghue, of the O’Donoghue Ring Hotel Group, said he had met the promoters of the wheel, Hanovan Ltd, and felt it would enhance Killarney as a top tourist destination.

However, traders based in the New Street car park say the loss of 44 parking spaces to make way for the big wheel would adversely affect them.

“The loss of so much prime parking would be of serious concern to us,” said green grocer Mike Horan.

Killarney Credit Union, which has its headquarters in the car park, has also expressed reservation about having the wheel located outsides its doors.

Independent town councillor Donal Grady said locating the wheel outside the credit union offices would be a “disservice” to a financial institution that had been of huge benefit to the area.

Mr Grady also objected on the grounds that Killarney – which, he said, needed 800 car parking spaces – could ill afford to lose parking facilities.

The wheel, to be driven by virtually silent electric motors, is said by the promoters to be ideal for Killarney and will create 14 jobs.

The directors of Hanovan Ltd are Tom Hannigan, and Ollie O’Donovan.

The wheel is projected to attract more than 200,000 visitors per year and to generate €2 million annually for the Killarney economy.

A decision on the planning is due on May 13 and the promoters hope to have the wheel in operation this year.