Move to Kilkenny
November 23, 2008
By John Cagney
Last weekend the town of Kilkenny in the south-east of Ireland saw a sudden flurry of activity in the property market. Douglas Newman Good slashed the prices on 32 homes in the town by 40% - and buyers moved in fast.
A quarter of the properties in MacDonagh Junction - a new housing development in a prime location in Kilkenny town – had been on the market for over a year and the developers finally decided to get them off their hands at a lower price. 3 bed apartments dropped from €385,000 to €231,000 while 2 bed apartments went from €320,000 to a bargain price of €192,000. Douglas Newman Good reported 21 definite sales in the complex over the weekend.
Considering the emergence of such bargain properties, Largom explores the idea of moving to Kilkenny town.
Famous for its brewery and devotion to the ancient Irish sport of hurling, Kilkenny is a small and compact town of 25,000 people, built on both sides of the River Nore. It sprung from an ecclesiastical tradition in the first millennium and was developed by the Normans in the Middle Ages. The town is full of beautiful medieval buildings, and the fully restored Kilkenny Castle is the finest of them all.
Situated in the “sunny” south-east of the country, 117km from Dublin and some distance inland, Kilkenny experiences both the highest summer temperatures and the lowest winter temperatures in Ireland. It is well linked to the capital city by both rail and road.
Kilkenny is a mecca for festival goers. Every June the Smithwicks Cat Laughs Festival hosts an international selection of comedians and the town is thronged with visitors. Other highlights of the year include the Rhythm and Roots Festival in May and the Kilkenny Arts Festival in August.
In the 1960’s the craft industry in Kilkenny was born with Kilkenny Design Workshops and since then it has been nurtured and developed into one of the areas main industries. The St Francis Abbey Brewery brews the world famous Smithwicks and Kilkenny ales, along with other mainstream beers brewed under licence. Also situated in Kilkenny is the headquarters of Glanbia foods, one of the world’s leading dairy companies.
Kilkenny attracts more than its fair share of tourists every year, with the industry estimated to be worth €100 million annually.
The Academy of Urbanism named Kilkenny the European Great Town of 2008. “It is great to have an Irish town coming through in this years awards, especially Kilkenny which is coming to terms with economic growth without losing its wonderful character and humour,” commented Academy chairman John Thompson.
Recently an immaculate 3 bedroom semi-detached home within a mile of the town centre came onto the market. The house boasts a tastefully finished interior and is equipped with oil fired central heating. Lawned gardens are at the front and rear, and the property includes off-street parking. The asking price is currently €255,000 and the owner Tom can be contacted on +353 86 2650451.
16km outside the town in the lush countryside of County Kilkenny, Sean Burns (+353 87 4150574) is selling a spacious 4 bedroom detached house for €400,000. The house is set on half an acre of landscaped gardens, and the property includes a 1.25 acre paddock to the rear. There is a large garage with a workshop. Just 1.5km from Thomastown, which is on the main Dublin- Waterford rail line, this modern and comfortable property would be an ideal family home in the countryside.
Buzzing with culture and craft, with a strong industrial and business base, Kilkenny is a picturesque town and an ideal choice for those seeking to find a balance between the hectic city life and quiet rurality. With sellers in the area lowering prices to meet the realities of a falling market, now is a good time to consider moving.
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