Clooncarrig Park, Killorglin’s new town park, was officially opened by Founder of Fexco, Brian McCarthy, (right). Included are trustee members of Clooncarrig Town Park, Chairman Colm Conway, Tim Collins, Mike Curran, Chris O’Neill, Declan Falvey, also, Chief Executive Kerry County Council, Ferghal Reidy, Cllr. Podge Foley, Deputy Michael Cahill, T.D. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan/CLOONCARRIG Park, Killorglin’s new town park, was officially opened on Friday, September 25, by Brian McCarthy, founder of Fexco, marking a significant new chapter in the history of this unique landscape and its future as a community amenity.
Situated adjacent to the town, Clooncarrig represents a remarkable transformation — from a privately owned estate landscape into a community-led natural space, generously gifted by the McCarthy family for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of Killorglin.
Named after the townland in which it is situated, Clooncarrig translates as ‘meadow of the rock’ — a fitting name for a landscape that has now been opened to the wider community.
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.A large gathering of invited guests, local representatives, volunteers, members of the community, and those involved in the design and development of the park attended the official opening.
The occasion included the cutting of the ribbon and the ceremonial planting of an oak tree. Tribute was paid to Fexco, for their contributions in making this project a huge success to date.
The opening also provided an opportunity to reflect on the rich and varied history of the land. Long before becoming a public park, Clooncarrig formed part of an estate landscape, shaped over generations by the people who lived and worked there and by the changing development of Killorglin.
Until recently, the lands were owned by the Prenderville family. When the opportunity arose to acquire the property, Brian McCarthy recognised the hidden potential of the site and the enormous benefit it could bring to the local community.
Through his generosity, the lands were acquired and subsequently gifted to the people of Killorglin in the form of a Town Park.
What was once an estate landscape has now begun its transformation into a community landscape — a place where people can walk, explore, enjoy nature and create memories for generations to come.
While significant progress has already been made, much of the potential of Clooncarrig is still to be realised. The opening marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, with further development and opportunities to enhance the park anticipated in the years ahead.
The McCarthy family are to be commended for their generosity in donating the land for the new Townpark in Killorglin, Co. Kerry.
Most of the Townparks in Ireland are legacies of British rule in Ireland.
Hopefully, this will act as an example to other publicly minded citizens in other densely populated towns and cities.