Page 17 - Thomastown in Focus - Regeneration Projects Newsletter

PROJECT UPDATE

In 2019 Kilkenny County Council were suc-

cessful in securing funding under the Rural

Regeneration Development Fund for the

refurbishment of the iconic Session House

building, formerly the Thomastown Court-

house on Logan Street. It has been a long-
standing objective of both community/

arts groups and Kilkenny County Council

to refurbish and re purpose this building

to secure its future as a living building in

Thomastown. Plans previously in place for

the building were to create an arts centre

and in keeping with the inherent creative and
New Lease of Life for Landmark
design culture in Thomastown.

As part of the redevelopment project for Building in Thomastown

the Sessions House, Kilkenny County Coun-

cil sought a partner in the creative sector

to operate the building into the future. The

Design and Craft Council of Ireland, based in
Kilkenny City, with a strong presence also in

Thomastown, have agreed to move forward

with a proposal to develop a School of Jew-

elery at Sessions House. This development

represents a commitment to supporting and

promoting the progression of new creative

talent to employment in the creative sector
in Thomastown. Working closely with the De-

sign and Craft Council of Ireland, Kilkenny

County Council developed plans for the refur-