Funding welcomed for Kilkenny's historic gem - Kenny's Well

Funding of €30,000 for conservation works to the historic Kenny's Well in Kilkenny City under the 2024 Community Monuments Fund has been welcomed.

The well, which is of immense cultural and social significance to the city, was subject to a conservation plan by Kilkenny County Council and the funding was announced and was applied for under the Community Monuments Fund established by Minister Noonan in 2020.

Announcing the awards, Minister Noonan said:

“I am delighted that Kenny's Well is among the successful Kilkenny projects under this year’s Community Monuments Fund and I commend Kilkenny County Council for their work in developing the conservation plan in collaboration with the local community. It is a complex piece of work as it involves removal of the boundary wall which fell into the River Breagagh a number of years ago.”

Minister Noonan, who was a member of the Kennyswell mass committee for a number of years, said that the heritage of the well and its connection to the Dominican Friary in the city made it an ideal candidate for the Community Monuments Fund.

“This truly transformative fund has risen from a modest €600,000 in 2020 to over €7 million this year and is supporting hundreds of projects, such as historic churches and graveyards, castles, round towers, wells and other significant local archaeological sites. Without it, communities simply would not have the capacity to conserve, restore and promote their built and archaeological heritage. And beyond supporting the restoration of the monuments themselves, the CMF, along with our Built Heritage Investment Scheme and our Historic Structures Fund, generates thousands of hours of employment within the heritage sector, preserving the craftsmanship and traditional building skills that are just as important to our shared culture and history.”

Green Party Councillor for Kilkenny City, Maria Dollard who had advocated for the restoration of the well and the site, said that news of the funding today was most welcome. 

“I warmly welcome this announcement of funding by my colleague Minister Noonan. Many people were concerned with the deterioration of the well and the site so this funding announcement will help progress the restoration project in line with the conservation plan," she said.