19th century home to become hostel

Limerick Youth Service is to redevelop the 19th century Ballyloughran House in north Kerry as a weekend hostel for young people from Limerick City and other regions.

The house near Lisselton, which was run as a multipurpose leisure and accommodation centre for schools and young people for 40 years, closed in 2009 because of costs associated with its running. Swimming pool costs alone ran into the hund-reds of thousands of euro.

Nearby residents had objected to plans by the service to knock the old buildings and redevelop the centre. Up to 40 were involved in an appeal against a Kerry County Council decision to grant permission.