Ground at The Closh in Kilkenny 'will be fully repaired by circus company'

The damage done to the ground at The Closh Community Park on Kilkenny’s Gaol Road/Walkin Street will be fully repaired by the circus company involved, according to Tim Butler, Director of Services, Kilkenny County Council. 

"I was made aware on Monday morning by the circus company Courtney’s that the ground at The Closh had become extremely soft, due to the incredibly heavy rainfall on Saturday," he said. 

"They alerted me to the fact that it would be very difficult to vacate the site on Monday without damage to the grounds. They gave a clear undertaking that the ground will be fully repaired as soon as conditions allow. 

"As a circus company, they obviously have many years of experience of dealing with these situations. The Closh, as a traditional circus venue for many years, has obviously had similar situations in the past. 

"Hundreds of visitors visited the events over the weekend in The Closh and the feedback we received was hugely positive. Many families returned to the shows on a number of occasions as they were so impressed with the events."

Overall, festival organisers were hugely pleased with the record attendances and hugely positive reaction to the hundreds of events organised as part of St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny.

They noted that there will always be matters that will need to be addressed following these events but 'are confident' that this particular issue will be addressed as soon as weather permits.