Towns benefit as rural dwellers drift to urban areas, council plan shows

Population fall-offs in rural areas of South Kerry has led to drifts towards the towns of Cahersiveen, Killorglin, Killarney, and Kenmare, a local authority’s draft plan reveals.

Kerry County Council’s plan, which is being made available for consultation by the public, also shows a substantial number of those still living in the countryside travel to work in Kenmare, Killarney, Killorglin, and elsewhere.

In the wider Waterville area, the population has fallen from 2,173 to 2,052 between 2006 and 2011, with some of the inland townlands losing over 22%.