Focus on greenways in north and south Kerry leaves other areas 'by the wayside', council told

Some €7 million is to be allocated to the 32km South Kerry greenway project, which includes the old rail tunnels, the most difficult section of the old rail line between Caherciveen and Glenbeigh. File photo

Some of the most scenic areas of Kerry, including "Kerry's Lake Garda", have dropped off the greenway agenda for 2025, which is “all about the north and south” of the county.

However, the licensing of beach saunas is to be trialled as part of a pilot scheme, the March meeting of Kerry County Council was told.

Kerry has been allocated €8.25m for greenway projects in 2025, the highest single share for a county for the second year in a row.

Some €7 million is to be allocated to the 32km South Kerry greenway project, which includes the old rail tunnels, the most difficult section of the old rail line between Caherciveen and Glenbeigh.

Funding will also be allocated to the design and planning of the South Kerry Greenway section, and to the North Kerry projects, mainly the Tralee and Listowel greenways, and expanding the Tralee to Fenit greenway.

It's all “north Kerry and south Kerry with regard to greenways," Corca Dhuibhne councillor Robert Brosnan said. 

There was no greenway in west Kerry, he added, where Ventry and Lady's Cross would make an ideal greenway.

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West Kerry has been described as the most beautiful area on earth by National Geographic, and the region attracts 1.5 million visitors every year, he said.

It also has a new national park - Páirc Naisiúnta na Mara. "Yet in terms of infrastructure, we are left by the wayside.” 

“Kerry’s Lake Garda” was also forgotten about this year, according to Killarney councillor Brendan Cronin. "Kerry County Council have forgotten it, they have dropped the ball.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Tommy Cahill, based in Glenbeigh, welcomed the funding but said all greenways should be connected and extended on to west Kerry.

Beachside saunas

Meanwhile, Kerry County Council is to develop appropriate byelaws to accommodate saunas and other services at designated beach locations, according to council chief executive Fearghal Reidy.

This will take several months, but a solution for the 2025 season will include a pilot scheme for the licensing of two saunas, one in Banna and one in Ballyheigue in April.

“This will ensure that, if suitable operators are available, a sauna service could be in place for the 2025 bathing season," the chief executive said. Kerry County Council will examine the need to extend the pilot to other areas of the county for the 2025 season once the pilot has been completed.