Kilkenny is prettiest town in Europe 2017

Kilkenny has been nominated the prettiest town in Europe 2017 by the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA). Kilkenny was number one of 30 towns from throughout Europe.  The citation noted:

On the banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, Kilkenny is often referred to as a city though it is the size of a large town. Its heritage is on display in the form of Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathedral and its medieval walls.

Keep Kilkenny Beautiful congratulate all who have worked to keep our City beautiful and pretty for our citizens and visitors.

River Nore and Kilkenny Castle

River Nore and wooded riverside walks within our City

Balsam in Kilkenny City gets a bash!

The non-native invasive species   is to be found on the river Nore close to Kilkenny City. The plant due to its large size, it  can smother native plant species reducing biodiversity and needs to be kept under control.The plant is an annual and it is important to remove new season growth prior to seeding.

Keep Kilkenny Beautiful  Environmental Subcommittee undertook a pilot balsam removal project  on the river Breagagh in 2015. This was found to be quite successful with only  limited  new plant  growth in the areas cleared in 2015.

In 2016 Keep Kilkenny Beautiful has proceeded with a much larger Balsam removal project. This commenced in May 2016 with removal of any new  plants in the section of the river between Ossory Bridge and the Boardwalk area.In addition, clearance is also being undertaken in the river Breagagh. The work is being done section by section by hard-working volunteers without the use of chemicals. The plants are being pulled  by the root and are being composted. Repeat visits are being made during the course of the summer to remove any additional balsam growth and to prevent flowering. The results of this larger pilot project will be reviewed again in detail in 2017 to assess the success of the work and to see if any adjustments to the work procedure be considered.

KKB are also thankful of the assistance and cooperation being received from Kilkenny Angler’s  and Kilkenny County Council.

KKB welcomes new volunteers to assist . See our Contacts page, also see also our Events page.

Bernadette MoloneyEnvironmental Awareness Officer with Regina Byrne Hon Secretary KKB with a large balsam plant

Regina Byrne Hon Secretary KKB and  Bernadette Moloney Environmental awareness Officer    with a large balsam plant on the board walk.

 

Hard working volunteer Balsam removal group on the Board walk

Hard working volunteer  group on the Board walk making ready to clear the Balsam

Kilkenny County Hall gardens look wonderful!

Our County Hall looks fantastic in the winter sun. Extensive work is under way   on the attractive riverside gardens and paths. The River Nore walk also goes through  the grounds.  There is a free car park in the grounds at the weekend where you can  start a wonderful river and city walk.

DSCF6788 DSCF6779
DSCF6780 DSCF6783

 

 

 

 

River Nore walk featured in Irish Times

The wonderful  River Nore walk between Kilkenny and Bennettsbridge was featured in the Irish Times. The trail stretches for 11 km and starts at Canal square under Kilkenny Castle. There is also a very attractive  loop and board walk  starting at Canal square. this extends   as far as the new pedestrian bridge at Ossory  Bridge  and back on the opposite river side.   This  loop which meanders through a wooded area  along the river Nore is  c.5km in length.   The City Loop was only completed in 2014 and it is already  very popular with visitors.

kilkenny castle

A start can be made  at Kilkenny castle. The walk is directly under the imposing castle.

Kilkenny 2

 

Under is a view of the  extensively wooded valley between Kilkenny castle and Ossory bridge which forms the  attractive walking loop close to the City.river nore from the Lacken Viewing point

 

Offical opening of the Lady Desart Pedestrian and Cycle bridge

The official opening and first public  crossing of the new Lady Desart Pedestrian and Cycle bridge took place on the 30th January 2014. With the wonderful backdrop of Kilkenny Castle, Mayor Martin Brett and Alan Kelly TD  welcomed a large crowd to this unique event. The first new City Centre  river crossing in the Kilkenny  for many centuries.  This new link will further integrate the Johns Quay and Johns Green area to the centre of Kilkenny. It will  give a convenient short walking route from the Library car park  and will also be a new vantage point from which to see the river Nore, John’s Bridge  and Kilkenny Castle.  A number of our Primary schools were also  represented at the event,  to see history being made.Bridge 2 Bridge 3 Bridge 4 Bridge 5Bridge 1