Kilkenny

A large crowd gathered for the official reopening the Lacken Boardwalk following an €800,000 upgrade of the popular riverside walkway.&nbsp;
Kilkenny city’s first composite construction of its kind was officially opened by Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Michael McCarthy, alongside Mayor of Kilkenny Municipal District, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Originally installed in 2012, the boardwalk has long been a key link in the Lacken Walk and the Nore Valley Walk, drawing both locals and visitors.&nbsp;
However, with its timber structure aging and its narrow design struggling to accommodate growing foot traffic, a major upgrade was needed.&nbsp;

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<h4>Accessibility:</h4>
The new boardwalk stretches 450 metres and is now three times wider than before at 3.6 metres, making it more accessible for wheelchair users, parents with prams, dog walkers, and those with reduced mobility. It also features quiet seating areas where visitors can take in the scenic riverside views.&nbsp;&nbsp;
With its wider, more durable design and strong focus on sustainability, the new Lacken Boardwalk is set to remain a much-loved part of Kilkenny’s outdoor landscape for years to come.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Speaking at the reopening, Cllr. McCarthy described the boardwalk as “a significant asset to the recreational offering of Kilkenny City.” He praised the project’s design and construction, crediting Kilkenny County Council, consultants Kilgallen and Partners, and contractors Triur Construction Ltd.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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<h4>Environmentally Friendly Design:</h4>
A standout feature of the new boardwalk is its environmentally friendly design, built primarily from recycled plastic. With over 163 tonnes of recycled plastic used in its construction—equivalent to more than 7.5 million plastic bottles—the project prevented an estimated 400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions that would have resulted from incineration. Had traditional timber been used, around 250 mature trees would have been felled.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Mayor McGuinness, reflecting on childhood memories of playing along the riverbank, called the boardwalk “a jewel in the crown of the Lacken area.” He noted how its improved design is already attracting a diverse mix of users, making it a more inclusive public space.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The €800,000 project was funded through the Department for Rural and Community Development’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, with additional support from Kilkenny County Council.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Frank Stafford, Senior Engineer with the Council, commended the management team and elected members for their vision and ongoing support of projects that enhance Kilkenny’s outdoor amenities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Crowds Gather for Reopening of Lacken Boardwalk Along River Nore

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