Outdoor dining in Killarney set for April

The design of the proposed Kenmare Place facility is being finalised and then it must go to tender for construction.  The tender documentation is currently being prepared.

Killarney was one of two towns to receive funding from Fáilte Ireland to provide public outdoor eating areas. Dingle also received funding.

The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme, in partnership with local authorities, was created to work  with councils to implement weather-proofing solutions to facilitate year-round outdoor dining in early 2021.

Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin TD, said the aim of the fund was to support jobs and businesses and to transform appropriate outdoor spaces within our cities and towns as welcoming, vibrant places that will help support economic recovery.

Local authorities were invited to put forward two locations from each county, and Kerry County Council put forward Killarney and Dingle as suitable locations, identifying Kenmare Place in Killarney as one of the most suitable sites for an outdoor dining facility.

Fáilte Ireland allocated a total of €604,505 to construct the Kenmare Place dining area, along with a similar facility in Dingle, which is part of a €9 million national funding programme. This funding was announced in September 2021.

However, the need for such projects to go through the public consultation and planning process has meant that the projects have taken some time to get off the ground.

The Killarney outdoor area is to be located a Kenmare Place, despite some opposition to this location when first announced.  The area in question is 620 square metres, of which 210 square metres are included in a covered dining area. A 0.7-metre-high boundary wall will run along the road edge, with glass screening in place.

Two bus set-down bays will be located at East Avenue road, as well as two 15-minute parking set-down bays in front of Handy Stores. Half of its seating will be available for public use, while neighbouring businesses will use the rest of the seating.

The project was put out to public consultation in July and in September 2021 councillors in the Killarney Municipal District approved the plans.