Councillors need to find funding for wells in Kilkenny City

Funding needs to be sourced to maintain and repair the ancient wells of Kilkenny City according to a number of local councillors.
Mayor Andrew McGuinness had previously called for a review to be carried out with a view to restoring and maintaining them and ensuring the water is safe to drink.
At this month’s meeting of the Kilkenny Municipal District a report was delivered to meetings.
Kenny’s Well
Kenny’s Well is dedicated to St. Canice, the meeting heard.
A wall bounding the Breagagh River collapsed approximately two years ago and since then an inspection was carried out with Heritage Officer, Conservation Officer and representative from National Monuments Service .
City engineer, Ian Gardner outlined that further consultation was required with NPWS & Inland Fisheries and that a Conservation Management Plan is required with focus on repairs to collapsed wall.
An initial application for funding was unsuccessful but funding will continue to be sought, added Mr Gardner.
Canal Walk Well
An inspection was carried out with Heritage Officer and Conservation Officer. Mr Gardner told members that damage has been caused to the well and surrounding structure by tree roots• Repairs will consist of tree surgery and repairs to the well • Estimated cost of works is €12,000 The well is not listed on Record of Protected Structures or on National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Mr Gardner told the members that funding for works will have to come from Council funds.
Lacken Well
Members were informed that an inspection carried out by Kilkenny Area Office shows that well is structurally in good condition.
Some maintenance works are required such as minor repairs, painting and landscaping at an estimated cost of €3,000
The well was rubbish free but some debris such as leaves and debris had been washed down the steps.
Mr Gardner told members that the anti-social behaviour issues of the past have been largely resolved by installation of gate.
The inscription over the doorway reads ‘Lacken Well, Altered and Improved, July 1831’.
Mayor Andrew McGuinness said that he was ‘looking forward to moving on with this and getting the wells up to standard and in use again’.
Cllr John Coonan said that Minister for State, Malcolm Noonan should be asked to support an application from Kilkenny County Council for funding adding that ‘it would be a pity to see any more deterioration of the wells’.
“We are lucky to have such historic wells in our city,” he remarked.
Cllr Eugene McGuinness said that there is ‘no doubt but that the wells in the city are an important part of our history’, adding that the council ‘has to find the money’ to do the necessary works. Cllr McGuinness also raised the issue of security and raised the possibility of CCTV.
Cllr Maria Dollard said that the well are ‘an intangible part of Kilkenny’s heritage and said that all efforts should be made to make it possible for people to access them.
Cllr Joe Malone raised concerns around anti-social behaviour and said that if the council spends money carrying out the works, then they should have control over who can use them/
“I don’t see any problem locking up the gates at 8pm in the summer and 5pm in the winter. Otherwise they will be used for anti-social behaviour or as a toilet. There is no need for anyone to go down there for water at 12pm at night and we also need to make sure that the water is pure,” he added.