Appeal against Kerry beauty spot rooftop cafe

The go-ahead by Kerry County Council for a rooftop terrace cafe near Ladies’ View on the Ring of Kerry, one of the most visited spots overlooking the lakes of Killarney, has been appealed by the National Roads Authority which has expressed “serious concern” at the decision.

The dramatic pass in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks between Kenmare and Killarney was named after the 1861 visit by the female entourage of Queen Victoria to view the valley.

The council had granted permission for the conversion of the roof at the existing Ladies’ View Craft Shop and Café just south of the spot at Derrycunnihy, along with a modular reed bed sewerage treatment system and other facilities.

However, the NRA said it was “seriously concerned” about the decision and severely criticised an apparent failure to thoroughly assess road safety in an area where it was already “haphazard”.

In a three-page submission to An Bord Pleanála, the NRA said road safety concerns did not appear to have been addressed.

The N71 between Killarney and Kenmare is popular with tourist coaches and with cyclists, but almost the entire route is very poor and marked with “severe bends and chicanes”, it states.

Opposite the cafe there is already an informal viewing area and nothing to address current “haphazard parking arrangements” was included in the planning report, the NRA submits.

The plans did not show any future demarcated car-park or road safety management strategy which would resolve the current haphazard parking arrangements.

“The authority is of the opinion the current road safety concerns may be further exacerbated,” and it was with serious concern it appealed the decision.

An Bord Pleanála is due to publish its decision on this appeal in March.