Kerry sees ‘increasing number’ of roads blocked by fallen trees and spot flooding

Kerry was bearing the brunt of Storm Barra on Tuesday night, with the county council reporting “an increasing number” of blocked roads due to fallen trees and electricity poles and spot flooding.

There were early reports of travel disruption due to fallen branches across the county from areas around Cahersiveen to Killarney to Listowel, and several trees came down in parks closed to the public, with damage to a number of structures reported.

At Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, the roof was partially blown off Cronin’s Yard tea room in Beaufort, a starting point for many who climb the mountain. “It’s a bad day, and it’s not a bad day. Thankfully no one was injured,” said tea room operator Esther Cronin.

There was concern about a number of buildings in the county, with the public being asked to “avoid” areas in Ballybunion and Killarney.

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Council engineers expressed concern about the roof of the golf hotel in Ballybunion, and the council closed Main Street, Lartigue Road and surrounding areas to traffic and pedestrians because of the risk of falling debris.

In Tralee the N22 route into the town was closed between Rathass and University Hospital Kerry after the covering blew off a garage on to the road at Rathass.

Slates were seen coming off buildings in Cahersiveen, and buildings in the High Street area of Killarney were being assessed by council engineers.

Flooding was not as widespread as feared in Co Kerry, largely affecting areas which experience regular winter floods.

In Kenmare the main N71 near the suspension bridge was impassable from early morning and a lorry became stuck . The N72 main Ring of Kerry was also badly flooded at Fossa.

A storm-related power cut affected a number of water supplies, including that for 2,000 people in the wider Killorglin area, where a boil water notice was issued for those on the Caragh Lake supply. Boil water notices were also issued for the Dawros and Bonane areas near Kenmare.

In a statement on Tuesday evening the council said Kerry was “now bearing the full brunt of Storm Barra”, and advised people to stay indoors “due to the significant risk to life and property”.