Two significant new urban spaces officially opened in Kilkenny
Watergate Urban Park (Jenkins Yard) and the new boardwalk at Greensbridge in Kilkenny City were officially opened by Minister James Browne
Two significant urban regeneration projects in Kilkenny City were officially opened on Friday by Deputy James Browne TD (Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage) in the presence of An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Joe Malone, Mayor Cllr Andrew McGuinness and the elected members of Kilkenny County Council.
Speaking in Kilkenny, Minister Browne stated that he wised to “commend Kilkenny County Council for the incredible transformation of a former city centre car park into a wonderful multi-functional urban park.”
“This high-quality city centre park will provide a focal point for people to relax, enjoy and gather with your community for years to come,” he continued.
“The Watergate Urban Park project and wider Abbey Quarter regeneration is a prime example of the kind of transformative projects that I envision being delivered under the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund.”
The Watergate Urban Park, known as Jenkins Yard, is a new urban park located in the heart of Kilkenny City.
The project was completed in 2025 on the site of a former city centre car park and a temporary pocket park that had been introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The name Jenkins Yard reflects the historic use of the site as a timber yard.
The project was developed by Kilkenny County Council as part of the wider regeneration of the city centre and is strategically located between Parliament Street, one of Kilkenny's historic streets, and the Abbey Quarter, a major regeneration project on the former Smithwick's brewery site.
Recent events hosted at Jenkins Yard included performances for Yulefest, St Patrick’s Day and a bloc party on Culture Night.
Speaking at the launch at Jenkins Yard, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Joe Malone said that the project “represents a major step forward in our ongoing strategy to rejuvenate Kilkenny’s public spaces.”
“What was once an underutilised site has been transformed into a beautifully designed, modern urban plaza,” he said.
“I am incredibly proud to note that the stunning architectural and engineering execution by PLACE+U even earned this park a well-deserved shortlisting at the Irish Construction Excellence Awards.”
The second project officially opened by Minister Browne on Friday was the new boardwalk at Greensbridge.
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While previously, users of the route had to leave the banks of the River Nore and travel on public roads, this newly opened pedestrian and cycle link in Kilkenny City creates a safe, accessible and undisturbed route along the banks of the River Nore between the existing River Nore Linear Park (Bishops Meadows) and the Riverside Gardens (Abbey Quarter).
Opened over the May bank holiday weekend in 2026, the boardwalk at Greensbridge is one of three sub-projects within the ‘Abbey Quarter Call 2’ project which is being funding by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund and the first sub-project to be fully complete.
The second more substantial Abbey Quarter Urban Park & Street is currently under construction with the Abbey Quarter Cultural Hub set to begin before the end of the year.
The three sub-projects have a combined investment in excess of €18m, with the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund providing over €13m in funding support.