Progress on the Abbey Quarter Kilkenny City 2021

Abbey Quarter will become a vibrant new urban quarter in the heart of the medieval city. The new quarter will provide an exceptional business location for companies seeking outstanding global connectivity and the capacity to attract high calibre talent.

It is located on the site of the former Smithwick’s Brewery on the banks of the River Nore. This site was originally settled in the 13th century by Franciscan monks who established St. Francis Abbey. The monks brewed ales here long before John Smithwick established his brewery in the early 1700s and it continued to operate as a brewery for 300 years until it was closed by its owner Diageo in 2014.

The remains of the choir and bell tower of St. Francis Abbey still stand on the site today as a reminder of its rich history. Following closure of the Brewery, the site was purchased by Kilkenny County Council. Following a period of public consultation a dedicated master plan was adopted to guide development of the former brewery site and adjacent lands. In recent years the development plots were acquired Kilkenny Abbey Quarter Development Partnership a Joint Venture between Kilkenny County Council and the National Treasury Management Agency. Over the life of the development the partnership plan to develop a mixed use urban quarter including, office, residential, hotel, local retail and education facilities