Transformed Kilkenny park shortlisted for award

The Kilkenny Countryside Park, at Dunmore, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 2025 LAMA Awards under the category of "Best Environmental/Ecological/Project Initiative".

The park, which opened in late 2023, saw the development of a new large-scale amenity on the site of the closed municipal landfill, located just 5km north of Kilkenny City Centre.

The new park, extends to 24 acres and offers visitors the opportunity to immerse in a natural biodiversity rich setting while utilising the many recreational options available. These include three themed activity trails, two ball walls, a bespoke viewing area, play and exercise equipment, novel relaxing spaces that include hammocks and loungers, along with Kilkenny’s first dedicated dog-friendly enclosure.

The Park is sustainably managed without the use of chemicals and provides for a diverse range of species rich habitats from wild flower meadows to mature hedgerows.

Mayor of Kilkenny City, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness, expressed his delight, saying:

“It’s a wonderful achievement for the Park to be shortlisted for an All-Ireland Community and Council LAMA Award, it demonstrates the importance of outdoor recreation amenity spaces for people's physical health and mental wellbeing. I’m also particularly delighted about the ethos of the new Park in terms of the preservation, enhancement and awareness of the importance of biodiversity to society.”