Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
All going well, work could start on the new Lakes of Killarney greenway this year and, when the project is complete, the enhanced walking and cycling route from Muckross to Dinis and back will be a massive benefit to the town, Killarney National Park bosses have said.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is working closely with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Kerry County Council on the exciting project which will have a road from Muckross House to Dinis Cottage and back along a new route.
The proposal is for it to run from the existing Dinis car park to the Torc Waterfall car park and it would complete a Muckross loop.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has provided funding to identify options to provide the pedestrian and cycling facilities.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
It will avoid members of the public having to walk or cycle back along the busy N71 Killarney-Kenmare road which, park staff have acknowledged, is particularly dangerous.
The regional manager of the NPWS southern division, Eamonn Meskell, said the park is heavily involved in the capital project and it is hoped to make further progress regarding the route and the construction phase very soon.
He said while he can’t guarantee that the work will be done this year, he hopes it can be and, when it is complete, it will greatly enhance safety for walkers and cyclists and it will be a massive benefit to the town.
“We have taken giant steps to get to where we are,” Mr Meskell told business leaders at the annual general meeting of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce.
“Everything going well, it could be done this year,” he added.
The progress of the Killarney greenway is raised at Killarney Municipal District Council meetings on a regular basis with Cllr John O’Donoghue tabling several motions to ensure the project can be completed as soon as possible.
Mr Meskell said work is also being planned at the landmark Old Weir Bridge under which thousands of tourists pass every year during scenic boat trips from Ross Castle to Lord Brandon’s Cottage.
He said the first phase of the project, previously completed, was to build up the sides of the ancient bridge which had been at risk of falling into the water when the water was high.
The next phase is to improve the pathways alongside the narrow channels at the bridge which are wearing away.
Mr Meskell said the big problem is its location is so far away and getting the required materials out there can cause issues.
The Old Weir Bridge is believed to date from the 16th century and it has a unique location at the Meeting of the Waters where the three lakes combine which has ensured that it has remained a popular destination for hundreds of years.
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