Editorial: Kilkenny's new park and street could truly transform Abbey Quarter
From this week's Kilkenny People: Project will open up the core of the site which is currently inaccessible to public
There was welcome news this week with confirmation from Kilkenny County Council that the contract has been signed for the construction of the new park and urban street through the city’s Abbey Quarter.
While there has already been considerable development on the former brewery site - including the transformation of the Brewhouse building and the refurbishment of the Mayfair as a library - this next phase has the potential to prove truly transformative.
At present, much of the site remains inaccessible to the wider public. The new urban street and park will run through the core of the lands, connecting one side to the other, and opening up more of the space for use and development.
The proposed park, centred around St Francis Abbey and incorporating the City Walls, Evans Turret and St Francis’ well, will be a focal point. The street is to be designed as a shared surface, allowing easy movement for pedestrians and vehicles.
This space and infrastructure will hopefully be a boost for local businesses, increase footfall, and provide more opportunities for recreation, arts, and culture.
St Patrick’s colour
The bunting is up, the ferris wheel is spinning, and the stage is set for another fantastic St Patrick’s Festival in Kilkenny.
A number of American Marching Bands are due to arrive in the coming days, with an array of performances to whet the appetite. With plenty for natives to enjoy, it’s also big for local business, with visitor numbers to swell. Festival organisers expect to welcome 100,000 tourists across the bank holiday weekend.
Outside the city, there’s also plenty going on around the county in the likes of Thomastown, Graignamanagh, Goresbridge, and Urlingford to name a few. Make sure to get out there and enjoy it all safely.
As always, next week’s Kilkenny People will be filled with all the pictures and reports of the festivities from around the county, so make sure to pick up a copy. Happy St Patrick’s Day to all our readers, at home and abroad!