'We’ll be left with no houses being built - Fears over water supply in Kilkenny

Fresh concerns over the completion of much-needed accommodation have been expressed in North Kilkenny where the lack of a suitable water connection continues to stifle local housing and business developments in many communities.
urgent action

Local councillors have renewed their calls for urgent action in Castlecomer and its environs, where public frustration over water restrictions continues to grow.

At present, eight new housing units are expected to be constructed in Castlecomer with a further 50 applicants set to move into social homes in the town as well as in the villages of Clogh and Moneenroe.

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In a presentation provided to councillors at January’s sitting of the Castlecomer Municipal District, it was revealed three residential units on Kilkenny Street and five at the former Dick Dooley Butcher’s site in Castlecomer were in the pipeline for 2026.

However, fresh concerns were expressed over the feasibility of completing those projects until new water connections are established.

A number of high-profile development plans including a new nursing home and an expansion of the Avalon Hotel were scuppered in the region due to poor water infrastructure.

An Uisce Éireann spokesperson is set to attend a plenary meeting of Kilkenny County Council in April where it’s expected they will be asked to take action as a matter of urgency.

In previous correspondence with the Kilkenny People, the national body committed to providing fresh infrastructure in the area but admitted a completion date is likely to be no earlier than 2029.

"Unless we can find a way to fast track this, we’ll be left with no houses being built," said Clogh native, Cllr John Brennan. "We need action now."

Meanwhile, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, who is a vocal advocate of extending the Muckalee and Radestown water supply to Castlecomer, demanded Uisce Éireann have a roadmap and concrete answers at the scheduled meeting.

These latest pleas echo similar concerns expressed across the county with the lack of suitable water infrastructure providing an ongoing challenge to dwellers in rural Kilkenny.

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