Parks service to appeal refusal of immersive education centre in Killarney National Park

Also, there has been no decision yet by An Coimisiún Pleanála on an NPWS proposal to build a raised cycle and walkway between Dinis and Torc

Upper Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park. The plans for the six-acre centre at Torc, with use of the Torc Waterfall car park, involved works to convert an old stable, a protected structure, as well as new buildings.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is to appeal a decision by Kerry County Council not to allow an immersive education centre in the heart of Killarney National Park.

The plans for the six-acre centre at Torc, with use of the Torc Waterfall car park, involved works to convert an old stable, a protected structure, as well as new buildings.

A nature education centre would include classrooms and science labs along with a pavilion structure, glass house, and bat house. 

Further information on the archaeological impact as well as impact on the historic landscape was requested, and last July, an extension of time was granted for reports, including the potential impact of parking of buses and cars.

The education centre is to replace the existing centre at the historic Knockreer House, which is closer to Killarney but has limited facilities.

Torc Cottage

The county archaeologist raised concerns about the impact on the remains of a recorded monument, the 18th-century Torc Cottage, a country house built prior to the more elaborate neo-Gothic Muckross House constructed in advance of the visit to Killarney of Queen Victoria.

An archaeological impact assessment noted how a test trench of the site had uncovered the sub-surface remains of Torc Cottage, with the full extent yet to be uncovered.

The county archaeologist recommended a refusal and said further assessment was required to identify the extent of the footprint of the old country house. Access and parking problems were also of concern to the council planners.

"Given the extremely busy nature of the Torc Waterfall Carpark (as its main car park which serves Torc Waterfall Tourist attraction and local walking routes), it is the opinion of the local authority that during tourist season (March – October) this carpark cannot cater for any additional traffic or parking generated by the proposed development," the council said.

A new location for parking was put forward by the NPWS.

However, the council refused permission, pointing to the absence of a revised historic landscape impact assessment informed by full archaeological assessment, as well as access, parking and traffic issues.

A spokesman for the NPWS said the intention was to lodge a full appeal against the refusal for the education centre.

Raised walkway

Meanwhile there has been no decision yet by An Coimisiún Pleanála on the proposal, also by the NPWS, to build a raised cycle and walkway between Dinis and Torc, parallel to the N71.

The 1km platform with views over the lakes of Killarney was granted permission in January 2025. 

A derogation under EU habitats legislation was sought by the NPWS on the grounds of social and economic reasons, namely that the project was of overriding public interest, including social and economic grounds.

The permission was appealed by Peter Sweetman on behalf of Wild Ireland Defence, based in Allihies in West Cork.

The case was initially due for decision in June 2025.