A look inside Denny's eerie ghost factory
Cllr Sam Locke (left), a former Denny's employee, examines pictures of the now abandoned plant while on a tour of the factory site with Cllr Jim Finucane and Michael Scannell KCC
The old Denny factory
Kerry County Council are seeking the public's advice on what should be done with the former Denny factory in Tralee.
The factory was donated to the people of Tralee by Kerry Group in 2014 and the council has secured €1.5 million in EU funding to regenerate the extensive town centre site.
Over the next six weeks, members of the public will be able to propose ideas which will be used to form a master-plan for the 2.3 acre site, a minimum of 30% of which will be retained as a public amenity space. All responses will be examined by the Council as that master-plan is developed.
The opening of consultation on the future of the 'The Island of Geese' - the historic name of that part of Tralee - coincides with the launch of a new website, www.theislandtralee.ie which will allow people to log on and submit ideas. Survey forms are also being made available at up to 20 locations around Tralee.
An on-site mobile unit has been opened inside the main entrance to the former factory which members of the public can visit over the coming weeks to discuss their proposals for maximising the potential of the site.
A display of images of the plant recently compiled by Kerry County Council will also go on public display in the mobile unit.
Following the receipt of ideas and proposals from members of the public over the next six weeks, Kerry County Council will consider all submissions and will begin the formulation of a master-plan for the site and its surrounding area which will then be implemented over the coming years.
MAYOR of Tralee Cllr Terry O'Brien said the Denny site has enormous potential given its central location.
"This is the most exciting development for Tralee in many years. We must acknowledge the generosity of Kerry Group in donating the site to the people of Tralee in the first instance. It will be now be up to Kerry County Council, working closely with the people of Tralee, to rejuvenate and revitalise this historic and valuable location," he said.
"The people of Tralee and the whole county are being given an unprecedented opportunity to have a direct input into what should be done with a site such as this. I would encourage anyone with an idea or a proposal to come forward and help to ensure the potential of this site is maximised,' said Mayor O'Brien.
Kerry Group Director of Corporate Affairs Frank Hayes said he is delighted to see the project advance to its next stage.
'When Kerry Group handed over this strategically important site to the people of Tralee we hoped that it would become a catalyst for the regeneration of the area. I am confident that this central location can become a wonderful asset for the people of the town in the years ahead and that its redevelopment will significantly enhance and revitalise Tralee town centre," said Mr Hayes.
