Sun shines as new playground is officially opened in Freshford

The community of Freshford has a fantastic new facility with a new playground opened in the village just in time for the summer.

It was officially opened by Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Pat Fitzpatrick last week.

The new playground extends to just under one acre and includes a zip-wire, swings, slides, play tower, basket swing and woodland play equipment along with a new access road and carparking area to service the amenity. The site also caters for a new wildflower meadow and additional tree planting all of which will help to combat the decline of pollinators.

The completed project, located beside St Lachtain’s GAA Club and national school, sees an investment of over €240,000 into Freshford village, made up of a combination of funding streams including Town and Village Renewal, from the Department of Rural and Community Development, the council’s Community and Cultural Facilities Capital Scheme, the council’s own funds and funds collected locally by the Freshford Playground Committee. 

In attendance to mark this new addition to the amenity offering of Freshford were Elected Members of Kilkenny County Council, Oireachtas Members, and members of the local community, including many excited children from the nearby St Lachtain’s National School.

“Projects like this really show what can be achieved with good collaboration between communities and council where there is the desire to deliver for a community," said Cllr Fitzpatrick.

"Since Covid we are all more appreciative of the value of our open spaces and we as elected representatives will continue to support investment in new and improved facilities for high quality outdoor amenity spaces, like this. In congratulating everybody involved he added they should all be very proud of the finished result which will bring so much enjoyment to so many people for many years to come.”

Acting senior engineer with the parks section of Kilkenny County Council Frank Stafford acknowledged the high-quality design and work undertaken by council staff and contractors and the positive contribution of the local elected members, the Freshford Playground Committee and St Lachtain’s GAA in making this project a reality. He noted that this playground represents the thirty-second playground delivered by Kilkenny County Council or by local communities supported by the council across the county. 

Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh, Chairperson of the Castlecomer Municipal District, said she had no doubt the playground will be a very busy spot with the younger generation over the summer months and indeed when school returns in September.

Mary McGree, from the Freshford Playground Committee also spoke on the day and expressed her thanks to council staff, elected members and her own committee members for all the work involved in delivering the playground. 

Before the ribbon was cut by the Cathaoirleach Pat Fitzpatrick, the new amenity was blessed by Parish Priest Monsignor Kieron Kennedy.