Killarney Town Council is to seek to move yet again against bad buskers.
Dozens of street performers flock to the tourist town each summer and some are considered less talented than others, while others have a limited and repetitive repertoire.
Last year an attempt to bring in a bylaw against the loudest, most repetitive of the singers, accordion players, flautists and violinists failed after council management decided there was no real way to judge a good street song from a bad street song.
The matter had been referred to the council’s law agent, who found enforcement of bylaws would be impossible.
However, there is to be a new attempt at curbing the worst excesses of noise. Donal Grady (Ind), the incoming vice-chairman of the council, is seeking an outright ban on street amplification. However, the incoming mayor, Seán O’Grady (Lab), an accomplished accordion player and a brother of Mr Grady, is known to busk on the streets – with amplification – for charity events.
Town clerk Michael O’Leary said there would have to be teasing out of an amplification ruling since it could lead to a ban even on public speaking. The matter is before tonight’s monthly council meeting.