Retired people from Ireland and UK flock to live in Killarney

People retiring to Killarney from other parts of Ireland the UK is a growing phenomenon, and may be a factor in the Kerry town's population now being the oldest among large towns in the country, with an average age of almost 41.

Another factor that might have contributed to the finding of the most recent census, released on Thursday, is that the census was taken at a time when tour groups with older visitors would have been counted in the town’s many hotels.

Killarney also has a large community hospital and at least two elderly care and nursing centres.

There is something happening in Killarney all year round, including many activities, making the town more attractive for active older people than, for instance, Kenmare.

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Retired people who have sold up in cities are also more likely to be able to afford to move to the town to set up home.

Local auctioneer Michael Coghlan, son of Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan, said three-bedroom, semi-detached houses are in high demand among the older age group – partly because the high quality apartments sought after by retirees are simply not available.

“Killarney is very attractive for retirees. This has always been the case. And in the last 12 months we have seen an increase in retired people buying or wanting to buy,” he said.

House prices

Many of those moving into Killarney have connections with the town or with other parts of Kerry, he says.

“The people who are putting pressure on house prices are retired people, and they are competing with each other and with first-time buyers,” Mr Coghlan said. Prices for these in-demand three-bed semis can be from €185,000 to €285,000.

Local Independent councillor Donal Grady believes "people stick around longer in Killarney because there is more to stick around for". However, he said emigration of young people in the past five years is "noticeable", with few young local families around.

Dr Gary Stack, a GP who helped set up the out-of-hours GP service SouthDoc has seen a definite change in the profile of his patients in the past 10 years. A higher proportion of his patients are retired persons, and very many of these have moved to Killarney from the UK and have no real local connections.