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Theresa Kelliher, Louise O’Donnell and Tim Kelliher who attended the seminar on Denny Street at Kerry County Museum on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
KERRY County Council – in conjunction with the Heritage Council and Tralee Chamber Alliance – hosted a very successful seminar on the future of Denny Street on Friday last.
The event, held at the Kerry County Museum, focused on how to maximise the use and efficiency of properties on Denny Street while having regard to its important history and heritage features.
Technical advice on building conservation, energy efficiency, conservation grants, fire and access, town centre management and improvement were provided by international and national speakers which included a Conservation Architect, a Fire Officer, a Conservation Officer, the Heritage Council and a Director of Architecture and Design from Scotland.
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Following the speakers, there were workshop discussions which were very well attended with a lively discussion and debate ensuing.
Discussions focussed on how to revitalise the street, what practical solutions could be used to improve the street and buildings, and how the street can be better connected to the wider town centre.
“Key emerging issues included the planning and the regulatory framework, finance, use of art and colour, and the integration of the key hubs around the street,” said Victoria McCarthy, Architectural Conservation Officer with Kerry County Council.
Sean Jones, Mary Gaine and Victoria McCarthy of Kerry County Council who attended the seminar on Denny Street at Kerry County Museum on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
“The need for on-going momentum and celebration of the success of the event was highlighted throughout the discussions. The findings and conclusions of the workshops will be collated and a final report will be prepared later in the summer,” she said.
“The positive energy and enthusiasm displayed by those in attendance was exceptional. The setting up of a prize fund for secondary school students for murals, the potential for a rates incentive package and development contribution scheme proposals for use of protected structure were just some of the other ideas discussed,” she said.
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A building advice manual for owners of historic properties has been published as part of the seminar which was available to all attendees.
TJ Mahony, Heritage Officer at Kerry County Council; Heather O’Sullivan, Retail representative with Tralee Chamber Alliance; Alison Harvey, National Co-ordinator of the Town Centre Health Check programme; Victoria McCarthy, Architectural Conservation Officer at Kerry County Council; Martha Farrell IT Tralee and Kevin Burns, Economic Development Unit at Kerry County Council, who attended the seminar on Denny Street at Kerry County Museum on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Conservation Architect, Gareth O’Callaghan, addressing the seminar on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Denny Street.
