A new €8m tourist attraction, the Museum of Medieval Kilkenny, is set to explore the city’s darker medieval history through a fun and interactive experience.
The project, backed by Kilkenny County Council and Fáilte Ireland, aims to enhance Kilkenny’s cultural offerings and attract more visitors, benefiting the local economy.
The museum will unify The Tholsel building with the Medieval Mile Museum, incorporating modern enhancements for improved accessibility and visitor engagement.
Mary Stack, Head of Attractions at Fáilte Ireland, shared: “Today marks the beginning of the journey in developing a fantastic new visitor attraction that will strengthen the tourism offering in Co Kilkenny. Kilkenny is an important part of Ireland’s Ancient East with its rich culture and unique medieval heritage. The Museum of Medieval Kilkenny is a priority project in Fáilte Ireland’s five-year Destination and Experience Development Plan for Kilkenny, which was launched last year to help transform tourism across the region. We’re pleased to see significant strides being made with this project and look forward to seeing it come to life for visitors.”
Michael McCarthy Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council shared. “We are thrilled to sign this contract with Duggan Lynch Ltd. I look forward to seeing this new attraction come to life over the next few years. This initiative reflects our commitment to preserving and promoting Kilkenny’s history and historic buildings while creating new opportunities for tourism and local businesses.”
Mayor of Kilkenny, Andrew McGuinness shared: “The interventions proposed to The Tholsel building, which is much loved by the people of the Kilkenny, will help safeguard it long into the future. The delivery of such an ambitious project will help copper-fasten Kilkenny City’s reputation as one of the country’s top tourist destinations, bringing greater economic opportunities and dividends for its citizens, while also protecting and enhancing what many consider the centre of local democracy in Kilkenny City.”
