Pictures: Here are the business winners of the 2024 Keep Kilkenny Beautiful awards!

The winners of the annual Keep Kilkenny Beautiful (KKB) awards were announced on Tuesday night at a special ceremony at Langton’s House Hotel. Minister of State Malcolm Noonan was the guest of honour. The award winners are as follows:

Hero of our Community
James Lynch, 40 Kenny’s Well Road.
Fitzpatrick Shield for Community Effort
Kilkenny Lions Club.
Private garden pollinator - biodiversity award
Runner-up: Margaret Murphy, 8 Emmet Street.
Winner: Ciaran McGrath, Meadow Way.

Community pollinator - Biodiversity award
Melville Heights Estate, Bennettsbrige Road.

City centre pollinator - Biodiversity award
Kilkenny City VEC, New Street.
OPW, Kilkenny Castle Park.

Best Commercial Flower Display
Winner: Yesterdays, Patrick Street.
Highly Commended: Samaritans, Kieran Street.

Most improved commercial premises
Winner: The Front Room, John Street.
Highly commended: An Post, High Street.

Best Shop front
Winner: The Blue Bar, 108 Upper Patrick’s Street.
Highly commended: The Book Centre, High Street.

Best signage
Winner: JB Burke, Dublin Road, Upper John Street.
Highly commended: Godfrey T Greene, No 1 Bateman Quay.

Best hospitality
Winner: The Rafter’s Gastro Pub, Friary Street.
Highly commended: Hotel Kilkenny.

Special awards
St Canice’s Cathedral for its car park entrance gates.
The judges were very impressed with the new gate and the sustainable work undertaken in developing the cathedral car park.
Kilkenny County Council - Excellence in Environmental Service - Abbey Quarter.
Judges’ remarks: “Congratulations to Kilkenny County Council for their excellent work in the Abbey Quarter in 2024 which included the upgrading on the river side walk and skate park area, and also the opening of the very popular Mayfair Library on Watergate Street.”

Irish Rail - Excellence in Sustainable Travel presented to MacDonagh Railway Station.
Judges’ remarks: For consistent high standards as an important accessible and well-presented entry point to our city.
The station was also recently recognised in the 2024 IBAL report which noted: “The exterior of the station was freshly presented with car park surface, markings, paving, railings, entrance etc in good order. There was a complete absence of litter throughout the survey area. It is clear that there is great pride in the station, based on the various awards / plaques / diplomas / items displayed.”

Kilkenny Cycling Tours - Excellence in Sustainable travel To Kilkenny Cycling tours and CEO Jason Morrissey.
Judges’ remarks: “Congratulations to Kilkenny Cycling Tours for their sustainable cycle tours.”
The judges were also impressed with the electric tour bikes being recharged by a solar panel system.