The good news of the discovery of the remains of a medieval house in Kilkenny city is ruined by the fact that Kilkenny Co Council are planning to demolish it, according To An Taisce and leading archaeologist, Cóilín O Driscéoil.

The good news of the discovery of the remains of a medieval house in Kilkenny city is ruined by the fact that Kilkenny Co Council are planning to demolish it, according To An Taisce and leading archaeologist, Cóilín O Driscéoil.

“This Medieval Manse house is clearly an integral part of the St. Canice’s Cathedral complex. It ticks all of the legal boxes to qualify as a National Monument due to its historical, archaeological, architectural and cultural nature. An Taisce calls on the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to declare it as such without delay,” An Taisce said in a statement issued today (Friday)

“Unfortunately, the Manse house is in the way of the Central Access Scheme, which was designed by the County Council to do just that: to facilitate access for traffic into the heart of the Medieval city of Kilkenny,” it adds.

Dr. Mark Clinton, Monuments & Antiquities, An Taisce the National Trust for Ireland asked if it was not it not a little perverse that in order to introduce more cars and tourists into Medieval Kilkenny the Council are planning to demolish part of the very fabric of the Medieval city that these tourists are coming to see in the first place

An Taisce claimed that the people of Kilkenny were clearly not impressed. “Last Saturday (the 21st of Sept.) over 1,000 citizens marched through the city in protest against the Central Access Scheme. Indeed the scheme makes no sense culturally, environmentally or economically. It should now be shelved. There’s an urgently needed ring road to be completed. It needs financing. Surely public money needs to be spent wisely,” the statement added.