Kenmare street traders set out stall

This weekend marked Kenmare’s “Pattern Day” - the Feast of the Assumption, when the people of Kilgarvan and Ballyvourney to the east, Sneem to the West, Glengarriff and the Beara to the south gather in the Kerry heritage town.

In recent years the bric a brac and machinery stalls from Puck Fair in Killorglin, have been decamping also and now line Main Street, the Square and the Green area, many of them making their own arrangements on where they set up.

But for frustrated shopkeepers, it is “Pattern Day” every day now in Kenmare in terms of a free-for-all street trading and there is increasing tension between street traders and businesses.

At least three street chip vans have set up and operate full time, right outside shops and cafes and coffee is sold from stalls along with olives and cakes; there are several leather and handbag stalls and one trader last week occupied three large parking slots with his carpets and bric a brac.

Garda sergeant Derek Fleming has twice written to the council to clarify its position on by-laws for market trading and has been told there are none in operation.

“Effectively, our hands are tied - the council needs to clarify its position,” the sergeant said.

Last year, two court days were set aside after draft by-laws drawn up by the council were challenged by street traders and the shopkeepers. But the council withdrew at the last minute because of complexities associated with old market rights.

The street traders felt the laws were too confining as they would be restricted to just one trading area near the Green, while the business people felt proposals to allow 29 trading bays six days a week was too much.

Kerry County Council’s, director of services, Charlie O’Sullivan said the council has been examining its options but “the process is extremely complex”.