8. Planning and
Development
8.4
County Kilkenny
The
county consists of a highly fertile central plain with uplands
in the north-east, the north-west and the south. The land
is well drained by its river network, the river Nore bisects
the county and Kilkenny city on a north/south axis. The Rivers
Barrow and Suir are natural boundaries to the east and south
of the county respectively and their tidal estuaries converge
at the extreme south-east of the county.
The development of an efficient strategic transport system
is essential to the future economic social and physical development
of the county. Included as an objective in the Draft Kilkenny
County Development Plan 2000 is the development of the central
corridor route Waterford to Dublin to motorway dual carriageway
standard.
The population of County Kilkenny was recorded at 75,336 persons
in 1996, an increase of 6.3 per cent since the 1981 Census
of Population. With the exception of Kilkenny city all towns
within the county have less than 2,000 persons. Some large
towns, close to the county boundary include Waterford City,
New Ross and Carrick-on-Suir. Population totals for each of
the larger centres within the county are given in Table 3,
Appendix B.
8.4.1
Kilkenny City
Kilkenny
City is sited on a bend in the River Nore. Commonly referred
to as the Medieval City, Kilkenny is a designated heritage
town. Buildings constructed by the Normans during the twelfth
and thirteenth century are evident throughout the urban area.
Almost
equidistant from Dublin and Cork, Kilkenny is well served
by national primary routes. Kilkenny has access to the sea
via Belview Port on the Suir Estuary and via New Ross on the
Barrow River. The Dublin to Waterford main line rail also
services the City.
The
population of Kilkenny City was 18,696 in 1996, an increase
of 10.5 per cent since 1981. With the attraction of investment
into the city, the population is set to increase considerably
over the coming years.
Kilkenny,
traditionally home to industries such as brewing and food
processing, has now succeeded in attracting development in
the financial and IT sectors. Designated an Information Age
town, Kilkenny has begun to promote the information, communications
and technology concepts among the community, business, education
and government sectors.
8.4.2
Thomastown
Thomastown
is situated approximately 16 kilometres south-west of Kilkenny
City and 20 miles north-west of Waterford City. The regional
route R700 linking Kilkenny to Rosslare via New Ross, and
the N9 Dublin to Waterford National Primary Route, intersect
at Thomastown. The town is also served by the Waterford -
Dublin railway route via Kilkenny.
Thomastown is set within the Nore Valley mainly on the north
bank of the river. The Nore's flood plain remains as grazing
land on both the north-west and the south-east of the river.
The extremes of topography to the south of the river have
precluded substantial development, being either liable to
flooding or too steep to develop. Growth has also been restricted
due to the level of sanitary services available within the
town. The Draft Kilkenny County Development Plan 2000 includes
objectives to overcome these constraints.
Thomastown
acted as an entrpot for Kilkenny City and the rich agricultural
land of mid Kilkenny. Goods were moved by road from Kilkenny
to Thomastown and from there by water to New Ross and Waterford
Ports. The processing of the agricultural produce of the town's
rural hinterland, in particular milling weaving and tanning,
as been important to the town's prosperity.
The
population of Thomastown increased by 7 per cent between 1981
and 1996 to 1,581 persons. The development plan for the area
includes a by-pass road, which will connect the R700 and the
N9, redirecting through traffic away from the town centre.
8.4.3
Castlecomer
The
town of Castecomer is located 19km north of Kilkenny City,
where the Athy-Kilkenny Road crosses the Dinin River Valley.
The N78 National Secondary Route links the town with Kilkenny
City and with Athy and Dublin. The town is also directly linked
with Ballyragget and with Abbeyleix.
Following the discovery of coal, Castlecomer was laid out
in the 17th century as a model town. It acted as the principal
market town for North Kilkenny and as an estate village for
the Castlecomer Demesne of the coal mine owners. The loss
of mining actively has faced the town with the challenge of
establishing new sources of employment.
The
population of Castlecomer was 1,380 persons in 1996, a decrease
of 11 per cent since 1981. No population projections are stated
for the town but the Draft Kilkenny County Development Plan
2000 recognises that ample land is available for development
within the town's development boundary.
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