Museum in Ring of Kerry town would give tourists a reason to stop and enjoy it

Cllr Foley mentioned the 'bus loads' of tourists that stop off at various points along the Ring of Kerry and how they should be encouraged to visit Killorglin.

"We get a small bit of tourism from people stopping in cars but unfortunately we don't get anything from the buses," he said.

"What we're trying to do is get people to stop in Killorglin, enjoy it, spend money and be on their way again. Just like every other town in the Ring of Kerry," Cllr Foley added.

Kerry County Council (KCC) said in reply that funding has been allocated for conservation and renovation works to Killorglin Courthouse under a Part 8 planning permission proposal by Kenmare MD members.

KCC say it proposes to use the courthouse building as an exhibition space, archive viewing area, and community space.

While Cllr Foley accepts the courthouse proposal, he criticised the fact it has been going on 'for years and years' and raised concerns about its size saying it was 'very small' to accommodate a museum.

"I was, hopefully, looking at something bigger in the town. But just to get something going is welcome. We have plenty of history and art around the place to give people something to stop for," Cllr Foley said.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Cahill supported Cllr Foley's motion saying there is 'a lot of history' in Killorglin.

"We have the oldest festival in Ireland here in Puck Fair. There is great tradition of sport, culture, music and song here," he said.

"I would ask that the council examine this proposal further because Killorglin really does need something...it's important to give Killorglin something that would inject life and attraction," Cllr Cahill added.