Tourists' favorite Killarney to build covered sidewalks due to Irish weather

The picturesque town of Killarney, in County Kerry

Killarney, one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations as well as one of the wettest, is exploring options to build an artificial roof over the town to entice more visitors and encourage more outdoor events.

Killarney Town Council is discussing a plan to build roofs over the sidewalks in Killarney, County Kerry.

Hopefully, the roofs will allow locals and visitors in the rain and encourage more outdoor cultural events.
Local engineer Paudie O’Mahoney has a proposed a cost effective solution. His idea would cover sidewalks and large sections of streets with a heavy duty, tent like canvas. The artificial roof could be taken down during the summer when the city does not get as much rain.

O’Mahoney told the Irish Independent “This canopy cover system could be introduced on a trial basis in a lane way or even on one of the main streets and I can see it taking off all over the country in a very short space of time.”

The engineer developed his idea after it was confirmed that Kilarney had the third most rainfall in Europe. Killarney receives twice as much rain as Dublin.

The proposed solution has received mixed reviews. Those in favor of O’Mahoney’s plan have cited similar artificial roofs in other cities, such as Melbourne and Calle Larios and say that these roofs work rather well.

Critics of the proposed plan say that roofing in the city is silly and would look tacky. One critic argued that American tourists who visit during the summer enjoy the rainy weather which is a break from the humid weather back home. Other critics have said that a roof would disrupt aesthetic views, which is part of Killarney’s appeal to locals and tourists.