Works Set to Commence on New Urban Street and Park

3rd October 2023

Construction is set to begin soon on a new urban street and park within the Abbey Quarter site in Kilkenny City. This update was provided to councillors at the latest full meeting of Kilkenny County Council.

The new urban street will run north-south through the Abbey Quarter, connecting Bateman Quay in the south to St. Francis Bridge in the north. It will feature multiple pedestrian linkages, making the urban park easily accessible. Designed as a shared surface, the street will facilitate smooth movement for both pedestrians and vehicles, with vehicular access limited to delivery, service, and emergency vehicles.

Urban design solutions for both ends of Vicar Street are also being advanced, along with a new street linking Greens Bridge Street and St Francis Abbey Bridge. The recently published Abbey Quarter Masterplan Update recommends the creation of a high-quality continuous river greenway from Greens Bridge to Canal Square. This will likely require reconfiguring the southern end of Bateman Quay near the Rose Inn Street junction to prioritise the greenway, subject to detailed design and planning consent.

Additionally, smaller infill sites within the Abbey Quarter are being considered for small-scale residential opportunities. The local authority also aims to address the vacant property at the corner of Vicar Street and St Francis Bridge with an appropriate solution.

These developments are part of the ongoing efforts to revitalise the Abbey Quarter and enhance urban living in Kilkenny City.