Extensive renovations taking place at community hall in Kilkenny

Extensive renovations are being carried out at the moment on St Kieran’s Hall in Johnstown, an integral part of the village community.

These works will ensure that the hall will once again be available for activities for all ages in the community and for generations to come.

Respects paid following the passing of former Kilkenny hurler

The project is 90% funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Kilkenny County Council and funds have to be drawn by the end of 2023.

The works include refurbishment of the front meeting room, toilets at the back of the hall, installation of new windows at the front of the building as well as essential repair work to the façade and kitchen area.

The hall is a protected structure and the council have provided advice and guidance to the project via the conservation officer.

They came out to view the exposed stone and advised how to proceed. The outcome is that, as originally planned, lime render will be applied to the front of the building with wood sash windows and limestone sills on the bottom three windows.

Photographs are being taken during all stages of the work, in particular the exposed stonework and basket arch and these will be used to tell the story of the origins of the hall.

The committee looks forward to bringing this part of the project to a completion this year.