THE festering summertime problem of buskers using amplification creating an unnecessary racket on the streets of Killarney is to be tackled by the town authorities.
Traders on Plunkett Street have asked Killarney Municipal District Council to ensure buskers do not disrupt their businesses when pedestrianisation is introduced, on a trial basis, from 7pm to 7am for the month of August.
Mayor Niall Kelleher said the local authority and Gardaí need to work together to eliminate problems with buskers using amplification and he was told by council officials the issue will be taken up by the council’s tourism officer.
“I don’t mind if they can sing or not but we must look at the amplification issue,” he said.
During the summer months, buskers take to the streets, several with amplification, and at any one time passers-by hear various strains of folk, trad, rock, parody, country, gospel and even the shrill of the bagpipes.
Town Manager, Angela McAllen, said there have been extensive consultations with the businesses on Plunkett Street and the response to the pedestrianisation plan was very positive.
Just one written observation was received and it was signed by adjoining business, O’Neill’s and Music Express. They stressed that they had no objections to the trial period but that would not be the case if a permanent measure was being considered.
They also asked for bye-laws to be strictly implemented in the event of any increased drinking, noise pollution and anti-social behaviour on the street and to prevent buskers from disrupting their trade.
“There is no evidence to suggest that there will be an increase in anti-social behaviour on Plunkett Street as a result of this proposal,” Ms McAllen told a meeting of Killarney Municipal District Council.
“The control of anti-social behaviour is a matter for the Garda authorities. Buskers acting in an anti-social manner will be dealt with in a similar manner,” the manager added.
She said the council’s new Tourism and Economic Development Officer, Maria Ní Cheallaigh, would look into the local bye-laws governing buskers.
As far back as 2012, Cllr Donal Grady had demanded an outright prohibition on the use of amplification by buskers on the streets.
“They are just too loud and they are annoying people. People living in apartments in town can’t go to bed early because of them,” he said.
At the time Cllr Grady said he regularly observed buskers performing on the town’s main street up to 11 o’clock at night.
“Some of them can’t even sing or play. It’s just noise,” he added.
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