Council to discuss rezoning at Killarney National Park

A controversial motion to rezone five acres on the edge the National Park in Killarney is to be discussed at the town council…

A controversial motion to rezone five acres on the edge the National Park in Killarney is to be discussed at the town council on Monday.

The motion has been signed by five councillors, a majority, even though less than three months previously the council unanimously decided against relaxing the zoning in the new town plan.

The proposal will pave the way for a planning application from the heirs of what were once the town's biggest landowners, the McShains.

However, even if it gets through, it is unlikely to be the end of the affair, as it is an issue which has bitterly divided the council and the town.

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The land is part of only 21 acres left out of thousands of acres of ground, lake, demesne and historic buildings which once belonged to the late John McShain, an American builder and philanthropist.

Sister Pauline McShain, his only daughter, on behalf of the estate plans to build 12 houses on the land at Ross Road. She said she was "appalled" at the decision which threw out the rezoning of the lands in the new town plan last October.

She and her cousin Mr Henry Fitzpatrick, a lawyer, had twice travelled to Ireland to meet councillors and had been assured of the support of a majority for her low-density housing plans.

In turn, the remaining McShain lands would be handed over to the Killarney National Park.

Her father had always held "it wasn't right" that buildings such as Inisfallen monastery should be in private hands, she recalled.

Set on the edge of the Killarney National Park, Lower Ross Road is arguably the most valuable location in Killarney. Rezoning even these 4.9 acres could net millions for a developer.

If she gets the zoning, 16 acres will be handed over to the state, she has said.

It will be the fifth time the matter has come before the town council.

At issue is whether this is a straightforward planning matter or whether there is a question of gratitude.