New safety initiatives set to enhance Kilkenny City’s vibrant nightlife

Kilkenny County Council’s Night Time Economy pilot, in partnership with a number of stakeholders, has announced various safety initiatives aimed at enhancing safety and fostering a sense of community in the city centre.

“As we approach the festive season, I am really pleased to see the partnership by all of the stakeholders involved to promote a safe and vibrant nightlife in our city," said Mayor of Kilkenny John Coonan.

"Safer nights out ensure we have more enjoyable nights out and I would encourage everyone to share the campaign messaging over the coming weeks and months.”

These initiatives form part of a wider Safe & Sound campaign that is a key element of Kilkenny County Council’s Night Time Economy Strategy and is a direct response to public feedback to promote safety initiatives that will enhance the night time experience in Kilkenny City for visitors and residents alike.

The Safe & Sound campaign is being rolled out nationally across the nine NTE pilot locations with the overall ambition of enhancing the safety of residents and visitors, and equipping staff that work in the Night Time Economy after 6pm with the tools to identify vulnerable individuals and prevent harm.
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"By announcing these three key initiatives and working with key stakeholders, we feel they will support local businesses and ensure that the public can have an even more enjoyable experience in our city," said Conor Sweeney, Kilkenny City’s Night Time Economy Advisor.

Safe & Sound offers free 30-minute online training modules and policy templates to Night-Time Economy businesses and their workers in Kilkenny City. This programme, announced by the Minister for Culture, Communications, and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan is designed to make nightlife safer, more inclusive, and more enjoyable for everyone.

In addition to the online resources being provided, An Garda Siochana, the Vintners Federation of Ireland and the Local Community Safety Partnership have collaborated with the NTE pilot to develop an online Safe & Sound communications campaign with a message from Inspector Alma Molloy promoting a culture of safety and respect in the city.

The ‘Light Up, Light Up’ campaign, in collaboration with the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, has supported a pilot initiative which will see 23 city centre businesses keeping their shopfront light on until 1am during from November to January. This initiative will ensure greater visibility on our streets for those who are exercising, walking home from a night out or waiting for public transport.