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My name is Niall Kelleher and I was elected to Kerry County Council for the first time in May 2014. Born and reared in Rathmore, and now residing in Knockanes, Headford, Killarney. I am proud to represent the people of the Killarney Municipal District on Kerry County Council.
As a businessman in Killarney I am acutely aware of the difficulties facing business particularly in these uncertain economic times. I have advocated for business on a number of key issues throughout my term.
I am married to Linda with three children and I am passionate about protecting and promoting our community and environment. We are so fortunate in Killarney to live in such a beautiful and vibrant area and it is our duty to protect this for our youth.
I was honored to take on the role of Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District in 2017/18.
The redevelopment of Killarney Cultural Centre has been a cause very close to my heart as I am fully conscious of the necessity for a contemporary arts facility and performance space in the centre of the premier tourist town in the country. I have worked hard to achieve the major refurbishment which is currently underway and it has all the potential to become a real gem in the town.
The redevelopment of Killarney Cultural Centre has been a cause very close to my heart as I am fully conscious of the necessity for a contemporary arts facility and performance space in the centre of the premier tourist town in the country. I have worked hard to achieve the major refurbishment which is currently underway and it has all the potential to become a real gem in the town.
During my term as Mayor of Killarney, I was delighted to be able to support two very worthy local causes by organising a Mayor’s Charity Shindig in the INEC, Killarney. Thanks to the generosity of those that supported the event, it generated in excess of €12,000 for Rathmore Social Action Group and the Kerry Parents and Friends Buy A Bus campaign.
On being elected Mayor of Killarney in 2017 – a position I was very honoured to hold – I highlighted safety measures at the Upper Lewis Road junction, on to the bypass road, as my number one priority.
That notorious accident blackspot, where lives have been lost and injuries sustained, has been the most serious problem facing the council and it was not before time that action was taken.
Accompanied by Suzanne Mannix-Dennehy, whose sister, Annette, lost her life at that junction, I hand-delivered a petition, with over 5,000 signatures, to the Minister for Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland demanding that action be taken.
People power paid off and there has since been confirmation of a major €4 million upgrade of the N22 Lewis Road and Kilcummin Road junctions on the Killarney bypass road.
I was also very vocal in highlighting the traffic problems encountered at Madam’s Height, at Pike Hill, at Coolcuslagh and at Woodlawn and in other areas in and around Killarney and I’m glad that, finally, action is now being taken to solve those issues.
Finding a practical solution to the traffic gridlock that causes so much frustration in Killarney has always been to the forefront of my agenda and I have repeatedly highlighted the issue in an effort to secure a solution.
As Vice President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, I was happy to arrange a deputation from the Chamber and the Kerry branch of the Irish Hotels’ Federation to brief the council on their concerns over traffic management, a lack of parking, congestion and infrastructure.
As a self-employed businessman, I am acutely aware that Killarney’s economic tourism future is too important to take for granted and it can’t be left to chance with tourism alone sustaining over 3,000 jobs directly and more than 7,000 in the wider community.
I fully support that deputation in its call for:
I was very happy to work extremely closely with officials and members of Killarney Valley Athletic Club to help make a state-of-the-art athletics microtrack in Killarney become a reality.
A major leap forward was the recent confirmation that the project is to receive a further €59,000 in funding under the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport’s capital works programme.
It has been a great pleasure and learning experience for me to have worked with my council colleagues and the officials and staff of Kerry County Council over the past five years.
At 33, I remain one of the youngest elected representatives in Kerry but the experience, knowledge and wisdom I have gained during my time in office has been an incredible advantage in enabling me to obtain a clear vision of what the Killarney Municipal District and Kerry as a whole needs going forward if it is to maximise its enormous potential.
I accept that we all have to work within boundaries but we can work smarter and faster to get the job done which has to be to everyone’s aspiration. It is imperative that when we say things are going to be done that they are done.
I respectfully ask for your Number 1 vote – or the next highest preference – on polling day and what I can offer in return is a solemn pledge that I will continue to work day and night on your behalf and on behalf of this magnificent county we are fortunate enough to be able to call home.
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Cllr Niall Kelleher
Office: 29 High Street, Killarney
Home: Knockanes, Headford, Killarney