Kilkenny handball monument plans hit significant delays

A plaque to pay tribute to the legends of Kilkenny handball is still on the cards, despite the project facing lengthy delays, Kilkenny Live has learned.

The concept of a local handball statue was first raised at council level by Cllr Joe Malone in October 2020, who maintains, 'it is going to happen'.

In August 2023, Kilkenny Live first reported a monument was set to be erected at a prominent city location to celebrate the achievements of all local handball players, with the project expected to be completed before the end of that year.

Since then, the project has hit a number of stumbling blocks, but according to Cllr Malone, the dream is still very much alive, despite some concern in the local handball community the idea may have petered out.

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However, although there is widespread support for a plaque to be erected in honour of the county’s greatest ever to play the sport, external factors means the officially opening is not expected until the second part of 2026.

Meanwhile, while the location of the plaque is yet to be officially confirmed, it is understood that a position in the vicinity of the Brewery Site in Kilkenny City is the desired and most likely site.

Previously, it had been thought that a commemorative/celebratory piece of infrastructure may be constructed in the Butts area of the city, an idea first mooted by the local community there in 2016, but that now appears to be in doubt following the release of the latest plans.

Kilkenny handball made global headlines in the autumn of last year after successfully hosting the World Four-Wall Handball Championships.

Over 1,000 players took part in the competition in what was as significant year for the sport as the World Championships coincided with the centenary year of the GAA Handball Association.

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