The Abbey Quarter is a vibrant urban hub in the heart of Kilkenny's medieval core, providing an exceptional business location for companies looking to set up or re-locate in Ireland.
Located on the site of the former Smithwick's brewery on the banks of the River Nore, the site was originally settled in the 13th Century by Franciscan monks who established St. Francis Abbey. The monks brewed ales here long before John Smithwick established his brewery in the early 1700s which operated for 300 years until it finally closed in 2014.
Shortly afterwards, the site was purchased by Kilkenny County Council and following a period of public consultation, a Masterplan was adopted setting out the vision for the site and adjacent lands.
In recent years the development plots were acquired Kilkenny Abbey Quarter Development Partnership a Joint Venture between Kilkenny County Council and the National Treasury Management Agency. Over the life of the development the partnership plans to develop a mixed use space including office, residential, hospitality, retail, community and educational facilities.
The remains of the choir and bell tower of St. Francis Abbey still stand on the site today as a reminder of its rich history and with this new development, St.Francis Abbey will be accessible to the people of Kilkenny for the first time in more than 300 years.
Kilkenny is the place where business succeeds. It’s perfect central location with a wide catchment area has a proven capacity to attract high calibre talent.
Both the City and County quietly emanate the very best that Ireland has to offer. This is the place that has something for everybody.
The Brewhouse, a new Grade A office building, has been fully transformed to cater for the modern working world whilst maintaining hints of its past life as a working brewery.