Calls for Kilkenny 5K route change amid church access complaints
As featured in the latest edition of the Kilkenny People newspaper
Local Fianna Fáil councillor and former Mayor of Kilkenny City, Cllr Joe Malone, has appealed to the local authority and organisers of the Streets of Kilkenny 5k race to consider changing the route or time of the race to allow mass goers to attend the evening Holy Thursday service.
The 5k run, hosted by the Kilkenny City Harriers (KCH) every Holy Thursday, has become universally popular since its inception in 2017, with the route travelling down High Street and Parliament Street into Irishtown before crossing St. Francis Bridge. Runners then proceed along the Castlecomer New Road and John Street, crossing John’s Bridge to return via Rose Inn Street.
“I think that they need to come to some kind of agreement. I have no problem with the race, it’s just the timing,” Cllr Malone said.
“It's impossible to get into the church. There are roadblocks here, there and everywhere,” he said, adding, “it's the only church in the parish to have the service at that hour of the night.”
“I would ask the council to meet the residents, the parishioners, Mass goers, young and old, the race administrator and Fr Dan and sit down around the table. I'm just seeking to come to a compromise and move it.”