BREAKING: Contract signed to construct brand new park and street in Kilkenny City
The Abbey Quarter Urban Street & Park is a step closer to reality
Kilkenny County Council has announced the signing of the Abbey Quarter Urban Street and Park Construction Contract.
The contract was signed today (Tuesday) at County Hall in Kilkenny in the presence of the Cathaoirleach of the local authority, Cllr Michael McCarthy.
The main contract has been awarded to David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd with Fountainworks Ltd handling a specialist water feature through a novated contract.
The project is being funded by the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) through the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and Kilkenny County Council.
The project will be completed in phases and is anticipated to be completed in the latter half of 2026.
The proposed development covers an area of approximately 1.44 hectares of the Kilkenny Abbey Quarter (Former Smithwicks Brewery Site) and will consists of two main components:
Urban Park: The new amenity will be developed in a historically rich area of the city, showcasing the National Monuments (St Francis Abbey and the City Walls). The transformation of this city centre brownfield site will create a social space for people to meet and gather.
Urban Street: This will prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, improving connectivity to the Abbey Quarter for residents, workers and businesses. The street will link Bateman Quay in the south to St Canice’s Place in the north, operating as a one-way system (south to north). It will cross over the River Breagagh and the City Walls via an existing brewery bridge.
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