Daily operation of the Town of Killarney and the Rural Municipality of Turtle Mountain is administered by a joint staff at the Civic Office located at 415 Broadway Avenue. Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Geography

Sitting of the shores of a beautiful Killarney Lake, the Town of Killarney is a thriving community with a population of just over 2300 people. Killarney is located at the junction of Highway 3 and 18 in the Westman Region of the Province of Manitoba. One hour from Brandon, the region's largest city, and 300 kilometers from the provincial capital, Winnipeg.
Located along the United States Border, the Rural Municipality of Turtle Mountain is easily accessible by Provincial Trunk Highways 3 and 18, and boast of population of 1143. Turtle Mountain was named because of its proximity to the beautiful Turtle Mountains Provincial Park to the west.

History

The Rural Municipality of Turtle Mountain area is rich in history and tradition. In the late 1800's, the Boundary Commission Trail ran through the southern part of the municipality. Northwest Mounted Police used the trail, as they traveled west to the Rockies in an effort to tame the prairies. Prior to this time, the area was home to many Native People, as well as, hunters and trappers taking part in the fur trade. The Rural Municipality of Turtle Mountain was incorporated in 1882.

Killarney was officially incorporated into town status in 1906. An Irish land surveyor named John Sidney O'Brien, named Killarney Lake. Legend has it that as he sat on the shore of the lake, homesick for his native home, he took a bottle of "Good Irish" from his pack and pouring it into the lake christened it Killarney.

The residents and town council have kept up the Irish tradition of the area with green fire engines, Erin and Kerry Parks, Little Irish Downs, and many other good Irish names.

The local landscape of the area is common to the Westman area and much of the southern province. The land is mainly flat with gently rolling hills breaking the horizon. Numerous tree lined rivers and streams cross the landscape breaking up vast farm fields. The area is rich in agriculture with many local residents actively farming.

Economic Base

Agriculture is a large part of Turtle Mountain's economy. The Town of Killarney boasts a variety of sales and specialized services that help complement the strong agricultural vase of the community. In addition, to agriculture, tourism also plays a role in the economy. The municipality attracts as many as 1,500 people each summer to its cottages and playgrounds. Killarney Lake makes up the majority of Killarney's tourism and is the focus of many activities.

Killarney also boasts strong health land community services such as a modern 34-bed facility with 60-bed personal care wing, five doctors, dentistry, chiropractor, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapist, and licensed daycare centre. Killarney has residential and commercial property for sale.

Killarney has been voted the best retirement town in Canada by Canadian Living Magazine. The town works hard to maintain this reputation and the business community in Killarney provides most all essential goods and services to local residents.