HAVING been put on ice for years, due to protracted negotiations with landowners, it emerged today that work will soon commence on a spectacular new walking route on the outskirts of Killarney.
KillarneyToday.com can reveal that the green light has been given for a long-awaited development at Tomies Woods which will incorporate a stunning new walking trail, the development of a car park for in excess of 20 vehicles and the erection of new fencing.
Members of Killarney Municipal District Council were informed today by National Parks and Management Service management that the necessary land has been acquired and the relevant contracts have been signed.
Planning permission had already been granted for the project by Kerry County Council and the only remaining consideration was land acquisition which has now been finalised.
It is understood that the project is now ready to proceed to tender stage and the NPWS is hoping to appoint a contractor who will plan and design the development and project manage the entire works.
It is hoped that work will commence at Tomies in the first quarter of 2020 and the sensitivities of the local environment will be a foremost consideration.
The new access point will lead to an ancient oak wood trail at Tomies in Beaufort where the spectacular O’Sullivan’s Cascade – one of Killarney’s hidden treasures – and a scenic 9km looped walk are located.
The trail, when complete, will meander through rich woodlands on the slopes of the 735m Tomies mountain and wind its way along the shores of Lough Lein and look out on to O’Sullivan’s Cascade.
Welcoming today’s development, Cllr Brendan Cronin said it has been a long time coming but he is delighted that such great progress has been made.
“As a council, we have played our part by granting planning permission a long time ago and now that the land has been acquired, it’s all systems go,” he said.
“This is wonderful news for Killarney. That walk and trail has been promoted in guides and brochures all over the world for years and visitors were disappointed that they weren’t able to visit because of the difficulties that were there.,” Cllr Cronin added.
Welcoming the development, Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Niall Kelleher, said it will involve vacant possession of lands at Tomies.
“This will give Killarney a wonderful new attraction and it is simply wonderful news for local as well as visitors. The invitation for tenders is expected to be published within the next four weeks,” he said.
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