THE roof could finally be closing in on Killarney where an innovative system to combat the notorious weather is back on the agenda.
A long-standing proposal to erect an artificial roof over at least one entire street, to allow people to sit outdoors and to hold more open air cultural events, could be taken off the shelf and dusted down, it has emerged.
The issue had been long-fingered by council officials who felt they had better use for funds available but rapidly changing circumstances is leading to a new thought-process.
Cllr Michael Gleeson said as al fresco dining, which he hopes is fully licensed, is becoming the new norm in town, it might be an opportune time to reconsider his proposal for giant outdoor umbrellas to be erected to cover some streets.
Council officials said funding under the urban regeneration development fund has been sought to upgrade the town centre and a detailed new design will be prepared.
“The provision of street coverings is included in the tourism strategy. Street coverings will be considered as part of the detailed design proposals,” management confirmed.
Innovative Killarney consultant engineer Paudie O’Mahoney initially devised the clever way to counter persistent rainfall by covering footpaths and large sections of the street with a heavy-duty, tent-like canvas.
He first mooted the idea to Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce in 2008 when it was confirmed that Killarney had the third highest rainfall in Europe and twice the average rainfall of Dublin.
“It would be ideal to encourage a continental culture in Ireland, with street-side cafés and high-end retail stores operating in a wonderfully atmospheric environment,” Mr O’Mahoney said at the time.
“This canopy cover system could be introduced on a trial basis and I could see it taking off all over the country in a very short space of time,” he added.
Mr O’Mahoney said a wave-like canvas, inspired by Killarney’s lakes, could be erected over pavements, enabling shoppers to move from store to store with absolute ease, even on very wet days.
The canopy-side covering would be held in place by iron or metal poles and operated by a simple switch or lever system.
The council previously estimated that it would cost approximately €50,000 to provide giant inverted umbrellas on one street and agreed that the move could help increase tourism numbers at a time when an economic boost is needed and new Covid-19 Safe Street measures are required.
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