Killarney's Retail Boom: New Businesses, Vacant Premises Snapped Up, and a Thriving Tourism Scene

There is currently a real vibrancy in the commercial life of Killarney with retail premises coming on the market for letting purposes being snapped up at a great pace, a meeting of the town’s business community has been told.

The imminent opening of a new store by beauty and wellness giant Rituals, at 35 Main Street, is a clear indication of just how attractive Killarney is to potential commercial investors and that confidence is mirrored throughout the town and its outskirts where vacant premises are greatly sought after, Donal Culloty of REA Coyle & Culloty told a Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce luncheon.

Outside of the significant Rituals development, he referred, in particular, to progress that has been made in the retail sector in recent weeks with the opening of three new stores on New Street alone – a bakery, an equine supplies shop and a specialist nail bar – which is an indication of the interest being shown by investors.

Retail Growth and Investment

Mr Culloty revealed that the old Aldi store at Deerpark has found a new tenant, the two new commercial units adjacent to the new Aldi will soon be occupied while, for the first time ever, all the available units at the Reeks Gateway development are now occupied.

Mr Culloty informed the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce members that the market is extremely positive and there is a very strong interest in any units that become available in the town centre. He said while there are vacant offices all over the country, there is a serious shortage of such professional services facilities in Killarney where demand completely outstrips supply.

While there has been an obvious shift to online shopping since the pandemic, people still enjoy coming to Killarney where they are guaranteed a good retail offering and a great shopping atmosphere. In recent weeks also, a stylish new craft jewellery store has opened on College Street and there are new food premises about to open their doors on New Street and College Street.

Killarney National Park: Conservation and Development

Meanwhile, National Parks and Wildlife Service Divisional Manager, Eamonn Meskell, told the Chamber members that planning permission has been sought for the creation of an exciting new pathway and cycleway development from Torc to the back end of Dinis on the N71. He said the elevated route will be iconic and it will greatly enhance the whole Killarney experience for locals and visitors.

There is also a plan in place for Knockreer House – where the roof has already been repaired – to extend the footprint to the property and its fabulous Italian gardens. Mr Meskell praised the involvement of the local community in helping to manage the national park. He said the hours put in by the Mountain Meitheal volunteers has been phenomenal and the amount of great conservation and biodiversity work that they do is incredible.

Conservation Efforts

In the last two years the NPWS with the help of the Mountain Meitheal has cleared 2,000 acres of rhododendron from woodland and associated habitats. 20,000 acres of woodland had been under stress because of invasive plant and deer grazing the saplings but the park nursery grew 30,000 acorns that are now being planted in the woodlands. There are plans for another polytunnel this year to plant 60,000 seeds which will be ready to go next year and in 2026. Mr Meskell revealed that Killarney National Park attracts 1.7 million visitors each year, with 130,000 seeing Muckross House and 60,000 visiting Killarney House and Gardens. He said it is important to balance that footprint with conservation measures that are planned and implemented.

Killarney's Tourism Industry: A Flourishing Scene

Those in attendance at the Chamber lunch were also briefed on the launch of the new Anú Spa in The Brehon which is a collaboration with a family-run business in North Kerry that grows its own botanicals and harvests seaweed from the Atlantic shores to create an exceptional skincare line. The products will be showcased at a special wellness morning in The Brehon on September 29th.

In other developments, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has held its annual general meeting with Johnny McGuire and Padraig Treacy remaining on as co-presidents and the following steering committee chairpersons continuing in their roles: