Permanent Home for Water Users wtih Appropriate Access to the River
The clubs and organisations below, welcome the proposed development of a Riverside Garden and the extension of the Linear Park, along the western bank of the River Nore. This will provide access to a riverside recreational public space and increase the attractiveness and aesthetics of the river in the heart of Kilkenny city.
The opening up of the previously inaccessible area of the Brewery Site and access to the three National Monuments; St Francis Abbey, the City Walls and Evans Turrett, is also welcome.
The river has been utilised for recreation and training by Canoe Clubs, Water Safety, Civil Defence, Fire Services, Sub Aqua Clubs and Triathlon Clubs. The use has been growing rapidly over the last few years, with the increase in popularity of open water swimming and other water based sports.
These groups together with Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership have come together to work towards ensuring on-going access to the river in the city and establishing facilities for water users. A prominent, permanent and well-designed base will facilitate continued use by the groups identified below and allow for further growth in the numbers using the river and the various activities on the river. Potentially, this could also become the most important access point on the proposed River Nore Blueway, an important link in the development of outdoor tourism for the Kilkenny region.
Interested Groups: Kilkenny Water Safety, Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club, Thomastown Paddlers, Kilkenny Search and Recovery/Sub Aqua Club, Kilkenny Triathlon Club, Civil Defence, Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership
Access
The slipway at Greens Bridge would need to be reinstalled to accommodate the launch of rescue boats and other recreational vessels. Water level and flow is ideal at this point to ensure safe use of the slipway by all users. The slipway should be designed in accordance with best practice and European standards and in line with national guidelines. A dedicated route for emergency access is essential from this access point. Parking is also required to accommodate emergency vehicles and trailers. E.g. jeep, trailer and rescue boats. The slip currently being used under the castle is unsuitable from the point of access, security and parking.
Toilet / Shower and Changing Facilities
The groups involved have identified the need for Toilet/ Shower and Changing Facilities. A room and tea/coffee making facilities is also required for briefs and debriefs, in particular when rescue crews come off the water. This could also be used by clubs as a meeting space and training room.
Storage
Storage is required adjacent to the river for Canadian Canoes, Kayaks, water safety equipment, buoys, pontoons and access ramps. The storage area needs to be large enough to facilitate the groups’ equipment.
Pontoons / Water Polo Pitch
Pontoons would facilitate safe access for open water events such as triathlons & swims. A permanent canoe polo facility could easily be incorporated in this area also.
Options for Storage and Toilet/Shower and Changing Facilities
A preferred option for the location the Toilet/Shower and changing facilities would be to incorporate the facilities into the Brewery Site, currently identified for housing development. The possibility of locating these within the new housing development could be explored. This would be an ideal location for the storage of boats and other equipment for use in the river. Ideally, this facility would require the installation of a flood gate into the surrounding wall to allow direct access to the river, reducing the portage of equipment.
The option of a new purpose built building could be explored in the River Garden, close to the existing entrance on Green Street. This could incorporate storage and toilet/shower and changing facilities and a club room. This building could be designed to complement the river garden and the attractiveness of the new public park with the backdrop of Greens Bridge.
Potential for Greater Use
Currently, there are at least 2500 individual uses of the River Nore in the city in a year and this could be greatly increased if facilities were in place.
This could potentially include Leisure Tourist visits to Kilkenny, day trips, leisure boats and river tours, triathlons and open water swims, kayaking schools, Stand Up Paddleboarding, rowing clubs, Dragon Boat Racing, play boating and training at Greens Bridge weir.
This site also has the potential to become a centre of excellence for a number of kayaking disciplines with deep, relatively calm water, illuminated by street light for night training and a competition venue for national canoe polo events.
Proposed Nore Valley Blueway
The Nore is a total of 140km long and is navigable by small vessels along its full length. The most popular access points for existing recreational river users are Kilkenny City, Bennettsbridge and Thomastown.
The Nore is one of the 3 sister rivers that flow into the sea at Waterford Harbour with The Barrow and The Suir. There are Blueway projects currently being developed on the Barrow and Suir which would complement a Blueway Development in the Nore Valley.
The proposed Blueway trail forms a linear network of trails from Bleach Road at the Northern end of Kilkenny City to Inistioge. The primary trail heads will be located in Kilkenny City, Bennettsbridge, Thomastown and Inistioge.
The second section of the proposed Blueway from Greens Bridge to Dukes Meadow is approximately 1.9km (40mins for recreational users) and could become the highlight of the Nore Valley Blueway offering a unique visitor experience by travelling through Kilkenny’s heritage sites on the river, combined with a thrilling yet safe white-water experience, complimenting Kilkenny’s current activities for visitors.
Potential for Future Developments
Chancellors Mill could potentially be restored and utilised to increase the attractiveness of the site to visitors. Possible options could include an interpretive centre on the trail head, or the development of other amenities in keeping with the rich heritage of the site.
The current developments present an opportunity to put in place the structures that will allow the potential of the river to be maximised for all citizens in Kilkenny.