Kilkenny County Council is pleased to announce the signing of the Abbey Quarter Urban Street & Park Construction Contract.
The Contract was signed on the 11th March 2025 at County Hall, Kilkenny in the presence of the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, 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.
Project Overview:
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: This new amenity will be developed in a historically rich area of the City, showcasing the National Monuments (St. Francis Abbey and the City Walls) in a setting befitting their significance. The transformation of this City Centre brownfield site will create an appealing social space for people to meet and gather.
Urban Street: This upcoming development will prioritise pedestrians and cyclists, improving connectivity to the Abbey Quarter and creating an inviting environment 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.
The project will be completed in phases and is anticipated to be completed in the latter half of 2026.
Regarding the contract signing James Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage remarked:
“The Government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund has been a real game-changer for our towns and cities. The Abbey Quarter in Kilkenny celebrates where medieval meets modern and today’s €12.3 million will help breathe new life into Kilkenny city. This is another good example of my Department’s €2 billion URDF fund in action. With over 400 projects now underway, this funding is actively transforming our towns and cities and will enhance our urban spaces for generations to come.”
Speaking at the contract signing, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Michael McCarthy commented:
“Todays contract signing marks a major milestone in the delivery of the vision of the Abbey Quarter into a place for people to live, work, and play. It will complement the works already completed in respect of the Brewhouse, Mayfair, and public realm areas surrounding them. I wish the contractors involved every success on the project. I thank the Government for their commitment of URDF funding for the Abbey Quarter and look forward to that continued commitment for all the other projects at various stages of development.”
Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness commented:
“I am delighted to see this contract commencing on the delivery of a new urban park in Kilkenny City and opening up of areas of our City which heretofore were not available for public access. I also welcome the economic benefits that the new Urban Street will provide for our City in opening up further plots on the site for development.”
David Walsh of David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd and William Kenny of Fountainworks Ltd issued the following statement:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to deliver this key piece of infrastructure in the Abbey Quarter and looking forward to working with all concerned on its successful delivery.”
In attendance and photographed at the contract signing were: Cathaoirleach Michael McCarthy, Lar Power, Chief Executive, Martin Prendiville, Director of Services, and Seamus Foley, Senior Engineer of Kilkenny County Council, David Walsh of David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd, William Kenny of Fountainworks Ltd., and Pat Rohan & Patrick Breen of Malone O’Regan Consulting Engineers.
