Tea Houses at Abbey Quarter in Kilkenny to get new lease of life

Tenders are now being accepted for the historic tea rooms in the centre of Kilkenny City as part of the Abbey Quarter development.

As part of the ongoing development of the Abbey Quarter site, Kilkenny County Council is currently completing the refurbishment of the Tea Houses on Bateman Quay. The buildings are located at the entrance to the new Riverside Garden and Skatepark amenity area which was officially opened last summer. The Tea Houses are also strategically located adjacent to the bus stops for the City Bus Service and the Market Yard car park.

The Houses, dated 19th Century, and were known as “Pleasure Houses” have a history of operating a coffee/café type service as historically they were used by the gentry to take their afternoon tea on the banks of the River.

Funding was provided from the Urban Regeneration Development Fund of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Kilkenny County Council to bring them back into use, with modern services in these heritage landmark buildings.  

Senior Engineer, Kilkenny County Council, Tony Lauhoff confirmed that the 'works are progressing nicely' and he is 'looking forward to seeing the tea house buildings get a new lease of life and contribute to the vibrancy of the Abbey Quarter and City Centre'.