Work under way on Kilkenny World War I memorial monument

Work on the new World War I memorial for Kilkenny City is now under way, expected to be completed in June.

The memorial will recognise some 825 Kilkenny men and women who lost their lives in the Great War, and acknowledge more than 3,000 men and women from this county who served.

The monument is being developed at the the River Nore Linear Park adjacent to Michael Street. The works are being completed by John Somers Ltd under contract with Kilkenny County Council. Design details have been provided with the expert assistance of local engineering consultants Kilgallen & Partners, and all plaques, statues, nameplates and capping stones are being cut from Kilkenny Limestone supplied and detailed by Molloy’s Stone, Callan.

Senior engineer for Kilkenny County Council Simon Walton has said that access to the site will be via John’s Quay and, while there will be some temporary inconvenience associated with the works, it is likely to be minor.

“The council is overseeing the completion of the development in partnership with the Kilkenny War Memorial Committee, and the elected members have allocated funds for the project over the past three years to supplement the fundraising efforts of the War Memorial Committee,” said Mr Walton.

“The huge efforts, dedication and perseverance of the Kilkenny War Memorial Committee is now coming to fruition and the Committee can look forward to officially opening the Memorial in July 2018.”