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Killarney, Ontario

Coordinates: 45°59′N 81°31′W / 45.983°N 81.517°W / 45.983; -81.517
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See also: Killarney (disambiguation)

Killarney
Municipality
Municipality of Killarney
Killarney Ontario in the Spring
Killarney Ontario in the Spring
Coordinates: 45°59′N 81°31′W / 45.983°N 81.517°W / 45.983; -81.517
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
DistrictSudbury
IncorporatedJanuary 1, 1999
Town founded1820
Prior incorporationThe township of Rutherford and George island
Founded byEtienne De La Morandiere and his wife Josephte Sai-Sai-Go-No-Kwe
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • Governing BodyKillarney Municipal Council
 • MayorMichael Reider
 • Deputy MayorNicola Grubic
 • Killarney Municipal CouncilorsWard 1: Robert Campbell, Dave Froats and Peggy Roque. Ward 2: Nicola Grubic and Mary Bradbury.
 • MPMarc Serré (Liberal)
Area
[1]
 • Land1,653.32 km2 (638.35 sq mi)
Population
 (2021[7])[1]
 • Total397
 • Density0.2/km2 (0.5/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal code of Canada
POM 2A0
Area code705
Websitemunicipalityofkillarney.ca

Killarney is a municipality located on the northern shore of Georgian Bay in the Sudbury District of Ontario, Canada. Killarney is commonly associated with Killarney Provincial Park, which is a large wilderness park located to the east of the townsite which occupies much of the municipality's expanded boundary. In addition to the community of Killarney itself, the communities of Hartley Bay and Bigwood, and the ghost towns of French River, Collins Inlet and Key Harbour, are also located within the municipal boundaries. The eastern end of the La Cloche Mountain Range is also located within the municipality of Killarney.

History

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Killarney's established community was founded in 1820 by Étienne De La Morandière (although indigenous peoples were living there prior), a French Canadian originally from Varennes, Quebec and a fur trader in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, along with his wife Josette Sai Sai Go No Kwe, an indigenous woman from Michigan and a close relative of Chief Kitchi, meaning Big Gun. Soon after the arrival of the De La Morandières, many French-Canadian families started to settle in Killarney, starting many fishing businesses in the process. Although there was already an existing settlement here at that time, they are credited with the founding of the settlement.

The population increased when the logging industry took off in Colins Inlet in the late 1800s. Hundreds of people from around Ontario went to Colins Inlet for work and established a large community in the area. The logging industry collapsed in the early 1900s because of the low demand and the population declined. Remains of the large village can be seen across from the present-day Mill Lake lodge.

Another key industry that had a major impact on Killarney's economy was the fishing industry. There were many fishing companies in Killarney including C.W.L (Charles William Low), The Nobles, Charles Low/Joseph Roque partnership, and Albert Lowe. The collapse of the fishing industry at the end of the 1950s affected many families in Killarney including the Low, Roque, Jackman, Proulx, and Herbert families. Recreational fishing was also an industry. A fishing camp was run by the Fruehauf Trailer Company out of Detroit, Michigan. Roy Fruehauf, president of the company from 1949 to 1961, was primarily responsible for operating Killarney Mountain Lodge. Clients and guests would be flown in via Mallard sea planes for vacations during the warmer summer months.

A quarry in Killarney Bay had fixed this issue for many families by creating more employment opportunities in the area. The quarry is located on the westside of the Landsdowne channel and had been very financially efficient after the downfall of the fishing industry.The quarry eventually was shut down in 2016 over a labour dispute and the industry that replaced it was tourism.

The major tourism businesses in Killarney were the Killarney mountain lodge, the Sportsmans Inn, the Killarney Bay Inn, the Pines Inn, Herbert fisheries, and Pitfield's General Store. The booming tourism industry brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to the businesses of Killarney as well as the many families that contributed to it. The current tourism businesses of Killarney include the Killarney Mountain Lodge, the Sportsmans Inn, Gateway Marina, Herbert fisheries, and Pitfield's General Store.

When and why the place name Shebahonaning was changed to Killarney is unknown. Lady Dufferin, wife of the Governor-General of Canada, has often been credited with the name change, but the passage in her journal which describes their stop in Killarney is dated 1874—almost twenty years after the Post Office had replaced the Shebahonaning postal stamp with one reading Killarney.

In July 1962, Highway 637 was established, connecting Killarney to major highways like Highway 69 and Highway 17, making it easier for people to travel to major cities like Toronto or Sudbury.  Before that, the people of the town had to either go by boat in the summer to Little Current and then take a train to Sudbury or other areas to obtain food and resources or by horse and buggy in the winter.

The current municipality was incorporated on January 1, 1999, when the Ontario provincial government expanded the boundaries of the township of Rutherford and George Island, the former governing body of the community of Killarney. The municipality was also transferred from the Manitoulin District to the Sudbury District at that time. In 2006, the municipality was enlarged again when it annexed the unorganized mainland portion of Manitoulin District.[2]

Economy

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The Killarney Channel from the view of Gateway Marina

The Killarney area economy is based primarily on tourism consisting mainly of wilderness lodges campgrounds and Retail Services geared towards campers and other visitors to Killarney Provincial Park and Killarney Outfitters is located just outside of the town is the primary place where folks go to prepare for Backcountry camping all ones camping needs can be found here as well as delicious London ice cream.

A community Museum the Killarney Centennial museum is located in Killarney across the municipal offices. One tourism website listed 21 things to do in the area although much of the contest related to provincial parks.

There are also three campgrounds in Killarney, Killarney Provincial Park, Roche Rouge campground, and Roque's Marina. Roque's Marina amenities include camping with 15 or 30 amp power, EV Charge, transient and seasonal dockage, 24hr coin operated laundromat, showers, and indoor toilets, along with block and cube ice.

There are two places to stay overnight in Killarney the Killarney Mountain Lodge and the Sportsman's inn which are sister resorts. Guests from either one can use the amenities of both.

Although not officially part of the Sudbury east region, Killarney participates in the regional Sudbury East planning board with the municipalities of French River St Charles and Mark stay Warren.

During the Spring and Summer of 2020 the area's tourism suffered because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and around the world the restrictions on travel to Canada from other countries including the US severely affected the economy of Killarney.

Tourism businesses in Killarney include Killarney Mountain Lodge, Sportsman's inn, Herbert Fisheries, Gateway Restaurant and Bakery, Roques Marina, Roche Rouge Campground, and Killarney Outfitters.

Tourism

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The Killarney Mountain Lodge 2022, Photo Credit Logan Stitt

The current tourism businesses of Killarney include the Killarney Mountain lodge, the Sportsman's inn, Gateway Restaurant & Marina, Herbert fisheries, Killarney Outfitters, Roque's Marina and Pittsfield General store. Both the Killarney Mountain Lodge and the Sportsman's Inn we're at 1 point owned and operated by members of the East family who had spearheaded the tourism industry in the town since the 1960s. Although in 2015 the family sold the Killarney Mountain Lodge to Holden Rhodes a lawyer from London. A few years later Rhodes bought the Sportsman's in as well as the Killarney Bay Inn although he used the Killarney Bay Inn for staff housing instead of hospitality. Throughout Holden Rhodes ownership of the Killarney Mountain Lodge and Sportsman's Inn and the Killarney Bay Inn he renovated and rejuvenated the properties in many ways and help the marketing of the town which increased its tourism and contributed to its economy. Holden Rhodes also merged the Killarney mountain lodge and the Sportsman's Inn into two sister properties which allowed guests to use the amenities of both resorts.

Geography

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The larger municipality of Killarney now encompasses virtually all of Killarney Provincial Park and the French River delta, and in fact extends all the way to Highway 69, over 70 kilometres from the townsite. Despite the municipality's geographic size, most of its population continues to reside in the community of Killarney itself, although smaller settlements also exist at Hartley Bay and Bigwood.

Fishing industry

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There were many fishing companies in Killarney including C.W.L. (Charles William Low), the Nobles, Charles Low Joseph Roque partnership, and Albert Lowe most of these people at some point work together in Killarney to sustain the fishing needs of the community. The main difference between the many different fishing businesses in Killarney was how they fished. Many fishing families and businesses in town built fishing outposts in the area of Georgian Bay surrounding the village of Killarney. The collapse of the fishing industry at the end of the 1950s affected many families in Killarney including the low, Roques, Jackman, Proulx, and Herbert families. The collapse caused many families of Killarney to either go broke or have to look into other means of employment in order to support their families.

Fishing in Killarney using pound nets.

Attractions

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"Turtle rock"s on George Lake in Killarney Provincial Park

Government

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The Mayor of Killarney is Michael Reider, and the councillors are Ward 1: Rob Campbell, Dave Froats, and Peggy Roque Ward 2: Mary Bradbury and Nicola Grubic.[4]

Although not officially part of the Sudbury East region, Killarney participates in the regional Sudbury East Planning Board with the municipalities of French River, St. Charles and Markstay-Warren.[citation needed]

List of mayors of Killarney

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Municipality of Killarney:

  1. Laurier Low: 1999-2006
  2. Morgan Pitfield: 2006-2014
  3. Ginny Rook: 2014-2020
  4. Nancy Wirtz: 2020-2022
  5. Michael Reider: 2022 (incumbent)

Infrastructure

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Transportation

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Killarney is accessible from Highway 637 the only highway in and out. Killarney Airport is located in the municipality. Killarney is also frequently visited by boat.

Demographics

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Killarney, Ontario Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1996738—    
2001428−42.0%
2006454+6.1%
2011505+11.2%
2016386−23.6%
2021 397+2.8%
[1]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Killarney had a population of 397 living in 193 of its 443 total private dwellings, a change of 2.8% from its 2016 population of 386. With a land area of 1,469.4 km2 (567.3 sq mi), it had a population density of 0.3/km2 (0.7/sq mi) in 2021.[5]

Canada census – Killarney community profile
202120162011
Population397 (+2.8% from 2016)386 (-23.6% from 2011)505 (+11.2% from 2006)
Land area1,469.40 km2 (567.34 sq mi)1,653.32 km2 (638.35 sq mi)1,654.58 km2 (638.84 sq mi)
Population density0.3/km2 (0.78/sq mi)0.2/km2 (0.52/sq mi)0.3/km2 (0.78/sq mi)
Median age60.0 (M: 60.0, F: 61.6)57.3 (M: 57.9, F: 56.5)
Private dwellings443 (total)  193 (occupied)388 (total)  400 (total) 
Median household income$74,000$58,368
References: 2021[6] 2016[7] 2011[8] earlier[9][10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Census Profile, 2016 Census: Killarney, Ontario". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  2. ^ "Annual changes to census subdivision codes, names and types, between 2006 and 2011, by province and territory, and by year". Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) 2011. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  3. ^ 21 Sites, Sights and Things to do in Killarney, Ontario
  4. ^ "Municipality of Killarney - 2022 Election". www.municipalityofkillarney.ca. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  5. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  6. ^ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  7. ^ "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  8. ^ "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  9. ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Killarney (Ontario).
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