Car park at one of Kerry's most popular beaches to close from this weekend

Annual lease agreement for a car park on land owned by a private landowner, which has been in place for 20 years, has yet to be renewed

Thousands of people flock to Inch in fine weather, with many parking on the sand — and some getting stuck. Picture: Chani Anderson

A stand-off between Kerry County Council and a landowner will see toilets and a car park at one of Kerry’s busiest beaches closed to the public from Friday.

The Blue Flag Inch Beach forms part of Ireland’s first marine park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara Chiarraí, following the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s purchase of 1,235 acres of the peninsula in 2024.