Kilkenny amenity wins Age-Friendly Environment Award for accessible public spaces
The award celebrates a series of recent accessibility initiatives across Woodstock Gardens, including accessible pathways, an inclusive playground, and free all-terrain wheelchairs for visitors
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum has been named the winner of the prestigious Age-Friendly Environment Award (Outdoor Spaces and Buildings) at the National Age Friendly Awards ceremony, held in Limerick last week.
The built physical environment has a profound impact on the daily lives of older people. Simple infrastructure choices such as adequate public seating, level footpaths, and appropriate pedestrian crossing times, greatly influence how active and engaged senior citizens can remain within their communities. This national category specifically recognises projects that transform public infrastructure with the needs of older people at the forefront.
The award celebrates a series of recent accessibility initiatives across Woodstock Gardens including feature such as: Accessible pathways and an inclusive playground, dedicated age-friendly seating and parking areas, an accessible shuttle bus service, and free all-terrain wheelchairs for visitors.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Cllr Joe Malone, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, emphasised the vital importance of inclusive public spaces.
“This award acknowledges the significant work undertaken by the Kilkenny County Council Parks Department and the many other dedicated stakeholders involved,” he said. “Together, they have truly made Woodstock a must-visit destination in the South-East for everyone, regardless of mobility."
This latest accolade further consolidates Woodstock Gardens’ reputation on the national stage. It follows a remarkable streak of achievements, including winning the Heritage and Built Environment category at the 2025 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, and the Best Inclusive Public Realm & Accessibility Project at the 2026 LAMA All-Ireland Community & Council Awards.
Frank Stafford, senior engineer at Kilkenny County Council, expressed his pride in the team's ongoing success and that it continues to demonstrate the council’s ongoing commitment to the National Age Friendly Programme.
"We are delighted that Woodstock has once again been recognised for setting a national benchmark in accessible public spaces,” he said. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our Parks and Woodstock teams over many years. I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Woodstock committee members, the council’s Age Friendly team and the Kilkenny Age Friendly Alliance for their invaluable support and guidance."