Killarney is a neighbourhood in East Vancouver East-End, British Columbia with a population of over 25,000 and lies in the extreme southeast corner of the city. It is on the south slope of the ridge that rises above the Fraser River, and contains a collection of single-family residences with a few multi-family homes as well as the townhomes and high-rises of the Fraserlands development along the river.

Killarney developed long after most Vancouver neighbourhoods, so the number of heritage buildings within its boundaries is few. Scattered throughout the neighbourhood are examples of early farm houses early residential development from the 1920's and some excellent examples of modern (1960's) residential developments.

Killarney is well populated with parks and green spaces, reflecting its forest history. The largest is Everett Crowley Park, along Kerr Street and north of Marine Drive; this park was originally a forested area with a ravine and waterfall that was used as a landfill for many years before being closed and reclaimed to its present form. Across Kerr is the Fraserview Golf Course, which also includes a number of trails. Killarney Park, now the location of Killarney Secondary School and a community centre, including and swimming pool, is built on a reclaimed bog. There is also a community centre in Champlain Heights, near a commercial sector at the corner of East 54th and Kerr. A trail runs along the Fraser River through green space stretching along the riverfront. It also features a newly constructed Olympic ice rink for the 2010 winter olympics.

Parks: Captain Cook Park, Champlian Heights Park, Everett Crowey Park, Fraserview Golf Course, Killarney park, Kinross Ravine park, Riverfront Park, Rosemenot Park, Sparwood Park.

KILLARNEY HISTORY

Although the first settlers arrived in the late 1800s, Killarney remained an area of second growth forest and farms until after WWII.

The first non-native settler to the area was William Rowling in 1868. A surveyor in the British military, he received the only land military grant in Vancouver for his service to the British Empire. Before long Rowling and his family owned 3.5 kilometres of land along the Fraser River shoreline, including all of Killarney's riverfront land.

George Wales was the first to settle in northern Killarney, which actually developed as the outskirts of the village of Collingwood. In 1878, he bought 221 acres (90 hectares) for $1 an acre. The street on which his house stood still bears the family name today. The remaining land was auctioned off in 160-acre parcels in 1888, and by 1890, the No. 1 Road (now 45th Avenue) and the No. 2 Road (now 54th Avenue) were built along the properties' northern boundaries.

Perhaps the most important transportation route was the interurban line, built in 1891. The interurban tracks followed along Vanness Avenue and crossed Kingsway at Central Park. Residential development followed along the interurban route, and eventually the street grid moved southward towards Marine Drive, bringing settlers into Killarney and the Champlain Heights area.

Between 1892 and 1929 Killarney was a part of the District of South Vancouver. In 1929, it amalgamated with The City of Vancouver. In 1913 Westminster Road was paved and renamed Kingsway. Gradually the business area developed at Kingsway and Joyce. When the bog area south of No.1 Road (now 45th Avenue) was drained and developed at Killarney Street, and the new high school and community centre were built, the area became known as Killarney.

In the 1970s, the southern part of the area was transformed into Champlain Heights. Champlain Heights is now fully developed, and a new comprehensive residential project, Fraser Lands, is proceeding along the area's most southerly boundary, the Fraser River.