Function and Aims

The Plan has two main functions:

1. To provide the strategic guidance for the physical development of Graiguenamanagh.
2. To provide the basis for assessing the detailed planning applications submitted to the Council.

The aim of the Graiguenamanagh Draft Development Plan, as part of the Draft County Kilkenny Development Plan is to ensure the proper planning and sustainable development of the town. It will therefore facilitate the co-ordinated social, economic and environmental development of Graiguenamanagh and its environs and the conservation and enhancement of its natural and built environment.

The Local Authority also has an obligation to promote principles of sustainable development as outlined in “Sustainable Development - A Strategy for Ireland” 1997, as adopted by the Government. It is therefore the duty of the Local Authority to ensure a sustainable balance between socio-economic growth, cultural growth and the environment.

The 1997 Carlow Development Plan has been taken into consideration in preparing this Plan and close co-operation will be sought with Carlow County Council in order to implement co-ordinated measures for the town as a whole.

Graiguenamanagh is part of the town of Graiguenamanagh - Tinnahinch. Tinnahinch, which is on the east bank of the Barrow, is in County Carlow.

Graiguenamanagh is located 12 miles north of New Ross, 20 miles from Kilkenny and 21 miles from Enniscorthy. Graiguenamanagh is situated in the steep-sided Barrow Valley between Mount Brandon in County Kilkenny and Mount Leinster in County Carlow. The town is also located at a bridging point where a tributary river, the Duiske, enters the Barrow and where the Regional Road R705, (Carlow to New Ross) intersects with the R703 (Graiguenamanagh to Thomastown). On the opposite side of the river Barrow is the town of Tinnahinch, County Carlow.

Graiguenamanagh evolved around the extensive Duiske Abbey, an early 12th Century Cistercian foundation established by the Normans, in an area which has remains of settlements dating from thousands of years earlier. Graiguenemanagh’s importance as a Market Town was later complemented by its position on the Barrow navigation, agricultural produce being moved by water to Dublin or New Ross. The production of wool was historically important to the town’s economy and sheep rearing remains a predominant agricultural activity in the hinterland.

The form of the town has been dictated by the sharpness and variety of topography, and the bridging of the River Barrow. Graiguenamanagh is a town of antiquity which developed with its back to the Rivers Barrow and Duiske, whilst Tinnahinch has developed more recently on the left bank of the river Barrow.

The core of Graiguenamanagh is formed by Duiske Abbey and adjoining graveyard, which is the major landmark building in the town and commands a focal point at the centre of the town.

Graiguenamangh developed gradually around the Cistercian Abbey which was established in the 13th Century. The narrow winding streets of the town centre, their interconnection with the Abbey, and the relationship with the broad expanse of the River Barrow, gives Graiguenamanagh a unique and distinctive character.

Graiguenamanagh like other historic towns contains sites and properties which are underused, empty and potentially derelict. However despite these elements the town has retained its distinctive architectural and spatial character. Many of these buildings, and sites which have become underused and potentially derelict contribute to the character of the town and are worthy of reinstatement. These are concentrated on Main St., High St, and The Turf Market and along the Quays. Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch have been approved under the Town Renewal Scheme 2000, which will assist in tackling these identified areas

Most of the newer housing in Graiguenamanagh is located on the radial access roads and takes the form of single detached houses built directly onto the public road. Because of the steep slopes of these areas the houses are extremely prominent. Much of the attractiveness of Graiguenamanagh which gives it potential for tourism development stems from the contrast between the densely developed urban core and the dramatic natural surroundings outside the town boundary. High standards of design and use of local materials, particularly for boundary walls, will therefore be required where housing is permitted.

It is the objective of the County Council:

1. To retain improve and enhance as necessary the street pattern and distinctive architectural and historic character of Graiguenamanagh.

2. To seek the early development of an inner relief road, which would remove heavy goods vehicles from the narrow historic streets which are at present causing considerable environmental degradation and affecting historic buildings such as Duiske Abbey.

3. To retain improve and enhance as necessary the medieval street pattern, with its winding streets and laneways.

4. To encourage the planned development of serviced lands within the town and to discourage road frontage development in areas zoned for development and on the approach roads to the town.

5. To encourage and assist a co-ordinated programme of restoration and refurbishment of the buildings throughout the town in conjunction with designations put forward in the Town Renewal Plan for Graiguenamanagh.

6. To seek to preserve and enhance the unique natural setting of the town and retain a clear division between the town and the surrounding countryside.

7. To seek the preservation of those buildings and other items listed in appendix one of this plan and in Volume Three of the County Development Plan.

8. To prepare an Architectural Conservation Area Plan for the Duiske Abbey complex and the wider central core of Graiguenamangh to guide its future conservation and as appropriate future development.

9. To ensure the town centre business function develops an enhanced role as the commercial, cultural and social centre of the town and hinterland.

10. To ensure that new-cabled services in the town are located underground and to seek to have all existing overhead cables undergrounded on a phased basis.

11. To encourage mixed-use developments such as upper floor residential over ground floor retail; upper floor community/cultural facilities over ground floor retail/office and where appropriate, retail/community/cultural facilities incorporated into housing schemes.

12. To plan and implement a phased programme of improvements to public areas in liaison with community bodies, including tree planting, the provision of well-designed street furniture, the improvement of road and footpath surfaces and removal of overhead cabling in association with the appropriate utility providers.

13. To require the retention within the central area of the town of characteristic architectural features such as natural slates, timber sash windows and original shop fronts.

14. To have a good social mix in new residential developments providing a range of unit types/sizes.

15. To investigate the provision of pedestrian/cycle paths linking parts of the town otherwise poorly connected

16. To encourage the establishment of new uses for redundant buildings and to implement the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in order to ensure the removal of dereliction within the Plan period.

17. That all developments within the town are of a high quality and use ecologically sustainable materials and construction details.

18. That all developments in the expression of form should relate to its context and scale.

19. That all development should integrate with the town structure maximising potential for developing new or existing connections with adjacent areas of the town.

20. That all new public buildings should be fully accessible. (This may not always be possible in existing buildings, particularly where the necessary interventions would mean the loss of important historic fabric or features. Where this happens partial access will be encouraged.)

21. To provide for a clear hierarchy of public spaces.

22. To have a high quality of public lighting in all developments appropriate to the area.

23. To encourage and facilitate street planting and seating in appropriate locations. Orientation of seating, shelter, shading by planting, nearness to traffic, suntrap potential, etc are all issues to be considered in assessing the location of such features.

24. To retain the traditional building form of 2/3 storey buildings directly facing the streets and which establish definite but varied building lines and heights.

25. To improve public access within the historic centre including footpaths, streets, riverside and as part of specific projects, the creation of new public spaces, where appropriate.

26. To improve the existing riverside character, including moorings and the old locks.

27. To retain and improve, where appropriate, Duiske River Mill race in the manner which it makes its way through the historic centre which is unique and of significant importance.

28. To develop sites/buildings which are currently derelict or potentially derelict and occupy important positions within the Town Renewal Scheme Area.

29. That all new public buildings should be fully accessible. (This may not always be possible in existing buildings, particularly where the necessary interventions would mean the loss of important historic fabric or features. Where this happens partial access will be encouraged.

Graignamanagh-Tinnahinch is County Kilkenny’s fourth largest town, with a population of 1,113 (Census of Population 1996, Central Statistics Office), which is almost identical to that of 1991 when a population of 1,112 was recorded. The trends in population of the intercensal periods 1966 to 1996 for Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch are shown in the table below.

As can be seen from the above, Graiguenamanagh has not sustained its population share of the County over the years. The town’s percentage share of the County’s population has shown a steady decline since 1961 reducing from 1.9% in 1961 to 1.47 % in 1996.
In order to reverse this trend and sustain and grow population levels within the town, Graiguenamangh needs to expand and develop its economic base. Increased employment opportunities along with the availability of housing and a good environment are the main factors which can achieve a reversal of the declining population.

It is an objective of the Council to assist in the provision of conditions within Graiguenamangh through its policies and objectives, which allow the town to sustain and strengthen as a sustainable population within County Kilkenny.

A new census of population has been undertaken in the year 2002. It is an objective of the Council to monitor and analyse the results from the new census as they become available during the period of the new plan in order to identify problems and opportunities which might arise as a result of changes in the towns population.

Graiguenamanagh’s main potential for employment will be in the further development in the tourism sector and in small-scale crafts and specialist industries. The expansion of indigenous industry based on local skills and natural resources is also an area of potential employment opportunities.

Manufacturing in the town is carried out by Duiske Crystal and Cushendale Mills. Both produce a distinctive local product, which is readily identified with Graignamanagh. This type of craft-based production is also beneficial to tourism development.

1. To liaise with the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, County Enterprise Board, Town Development Association, and local development bodies regarding measures to generate jobs, including the conversion of a suitable building for start-up units for new businesses.

2. Ensure that adequate amounts of land are available for industrial development in Graiguenamanagh.

3. To improve the attractiveness of the built environment in Graiguenamanagh as a place in which to work and live and as a location for industry, services and tourism investment.

4. To strengthen Graiguenamanagh as a local market, tourist and employment centre functioning in the Kilkenny/Carlow sub region by additional employment in the small-scale crafts and specialist industries.

5. To facilitate and assist the establishment of specialised training and educational options within the town, tailored to equip young people to make a livelihood in the locality.

6. In the context of a County Tourism Plan, and in liaison with all relevant tourism and community bodies, to investigate the tourism potential of Graiguenamanagh, and to assist in the town’s tourism development.

7. To facilitate and assist the establishment of opportunities for additional training and educational options in skills relevant to the labour market, in association with County Enterprise Board the V.E.C. and local development groups.

8. To facilitate and expand as far as practicable the provision of the following services within existing or proposed buildings, for example, an Enterprise Centre, Community Centre, Tourism Information Centre Job Information, Exhibition Centre, and Local History Museum.

9. To improve the attractiveness of the built environment in Graiguenamanagh as a place in which to work and live and as a location for industry, services and tourism investment.

10. To improve the quality of the built environment of Graiguenamanagh through the Village Renewal Programme.

11. To take steps in association with local community bodies and business interests to improve the environment and appearance of Graiguenamanagh in the interests of attracting enterprises and tourist visitors to the town.

12. To require a high standard of design and landscaping in industrial development, in order to maintain the area's attractiveness to new enterprise.

13. Encourage the location of industrial development in the town in order to promote the development and diversification of the local economy to provide additional employment opportunities.

Graiguenamanagh provides the normal services of a market town, including banking, post office, and shopping. The Council commissioned a retail study for the entire County. As part of that study the retail hierarchy of the County was confirmed. Graiguenamanagh was placed in the sub county town category below Kilkenny City and on a par with Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown.

The study confirmed that Graiguenamanagh performs an important function in its role as a market town for its hinterland. The location of retail development will be assessed through the sequential test. For details of the sequential test see sections 3.4.11 and 3.4.26 of Vol. 1.

For Graiguenamanagh it is recommended that significant proposals for retail development of 500m2 (gross) or greater convenience and comparison would be assessed against a range of criteria. For details on this see sections 3.4.24 and 3.4.25 of Vol.1.

In general it will be the policy of the Council to maintain and enhance the role of Graiguenamanagh as a local market centre for its rural catchment area and as a centre to service its anticipated expansion during the period of the Plan.

It will be a policy of the Council to:
1. Maintain and enhance the role of Graiguenamanagh as a local market centre for its rural catchment area.
2. To widen the extent of specialist retailing in the town having regard to the retail policies set out in Vol.1 of the plan.

The tourism potential of Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch has been recognised for a number of years. Because of its historic qualities, and the recreational potential of the River Barrow and surrounding areas and with an improvement in the towns physical character this economic resource can be developed further. The development of activity-based holidays, particularly involving boating, fishing and walking, is the sector offering the greatest potential for development in Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch. The river’s relative isolation for much of its length has been identified as an extremely important and marketable feature. Threats to its character arise from new housing development and from tree felling.

Good provision for recreation and amenity is important from the point of view of the well-being of residents of the town, of tourism development and of the attractiveness of the town to incoming businesses. The town has enormous natural potential as an area of high amenity with a range of outdoor activities. The River Barrow is an important recreational resource.

Graiguenamanagh has been identified as a major boating centre in the development of Grand Canal Barrow Navigation by OPW. The OPW’s 1985 report states:

““To fulfil this role a good deal of upgrading and infrastructural provision will be required, including construction of a marina and improvements in the appearance and presentation of the waterfront, buildings, general street furniture, surfaces and landscape treatment ... Associated facilities including the provision of visitor information and interpretative services should also be provided. Long term and secure car parking facilities should be provided in association with the local authorities and moorings and boat movements should be supervised through regulations.” (Report by Brady, Shipman and Martin to the O.P.W., 1985). Reinstatement of the 18th Century dry dock downstream of the bridge is also part of the O.P.W.s strategy for development of Graiguenamanagh as such a centre.”

It is an objective of the Council

1. To encourage the improvement of existing and new recreational facilities which would focus on the particular strengths of Graiguenamangh/Tinnahinch e.g. the river activities, boating, canoeing, fishing, etc and as a base for walking and other similar activities in the adjacent countryside.

2. To liaise with Duchas (Office of Public Works) Southern Fisheries, the South East Regional Tourism Organisation, Bord Failte, Carlow County Council and all other interested bodies to implement an integrated plan to develop Graiguenamanagh- Tinnahinch and Saint Mullins as a major tourism centre.

3. To seek resumption of the restoration of the Duiske Abbey site by the Office of Public Works as a major tourism attraction

4. To implement urban conservation measures and improvements to the town's historic core, and to ensure through an Architectural Conservation Area plan development that the attractiveness of the buildings and natural setting of the town in preserved.

5. To provide well-located and signed off-street parking.

6. To seek to protect the quality and supply of water in the River and Canal system and to liaise with the Southern Fisheries Board and local angling clubs to improve fish stocks.

7. To preserve the rural landscape of the Barrow Valley by means of development control.

8. To require a high quality of design for new development, and to encourage use of local materials.

9. To encourage provision of a wide range of tourist accommodation, including conversion of disused ‘over the shop’ accommodation or of redundant stone industrial or agricultural buildings and to ensure that it is designed and located so as not to diminish the appearance and character of the area.

10. To prepare an Action Plan for the lands generally known as the ‘Pitch and Putt’, to provide for recreational, open space, housing, improved access to the historic centre and riverside, all as appropriate.

11. To protect existing amenity uses and open spaces through development control.

12. To protect existing rights of way and improve signposting of established walks and amenity facilities.

13. To seek to ensure provision of recreational facilities appropriate for all age groups.

14. To encourage the development of outdoor recreational /leisure activities which are based on the natural amenities and resources of Graiguenamanagh.

15. To provide significant levels of investment in the provision of roads and sanitary services infrastructure, which will help to foster the development of tourism within the town.

16. To assist in the development of a tourism development strategy for the town and its hinterland in association with Kilkenny City and County Tourism, SERTA, Bord Failte and Carlow County Council.

There are two primary schools and one vocational school in Graiguenamanagh. The V.E.C. School is accommodated in a range of prefabricated buildings and plans for a new V.E.C. are drawn up. There is existing spare capacity within one of the primary schools and the V.E.C. to cater for immediate pupil number expansion.

It is the policy of the Council to:

• Facilitate the provision of adequate primary school facilities in appropriate locations in the town

• Facilitate and encourage the promotion of all forms of continuing education and training in skills needed to develop the local economy.

• To support and facilitate the development of the VEC School and its facilities and the establishment of specialised vocational training, apprenticeships and continuing and distance education.
• To facilitate and encourage the promotion of all forms of continuing education and training in skills needed to develop the local economy.

The existing health facilities include a health nurse, community welfare service, general practitioner, public health nurse chiropody and dental service.
These are provided in the existing health clinic in the town.

It will be the policy of the Council to

• provide for and encourage the development of health and other community facilities in the Town with the South Eastern Health Board and other statutory and voluntary agencies.

The library facility is situated in the town and is connected to the Kilkenny headquarters by leased line. This provides a local gateway to information education, culture and recreation.

It is the policy of the Council to continue to improve the existing library facilities in the town as the need arises subject to the availability of finances.

Good provision for recreation and amenity is important from the point of view of the well-being of residents of the town, of tourism development and of the attractiveness of the town to incoming businesses. The town has provision for G.A.A. sports and for soccer. Improved provision of recreational facilities for young people and children are needed. The town has enormous natural potential as an area of high amenity with a range of outdoor activities. The River Barrow is an important recreational resource.

It is the policy of the Council -

• To seek to ensure provision of recreational facilities appropriate for all age groups.
• Encourage the development of outdoor recreational /leisure activities which are based on the natural amenities and resources of Graiguenamanagh.
• To protect existing rights of way and improve signposting of established walks and amenity facilities.
• To protect existing amenity uses and open spaces through development control.

During the period of the last plan 1.3 hectares of land was rezoned at Brandon Park for housing. It is the intention of the Council to develop 0.5 hectares of these lands in stage one of the overall development as a joint venture housing scheme. This will allow for a more efficient use of the land and a greater housing density than could otherwise be achieved.

It is an objective of the Council

1. To co-operate with Carlow County in implementing a co-ordinated programme of refurbishment, urban renewal and house construction to cater for the needs of Graiguenamanagh – Tinnahinch in conjunction with designations put forward in the Town Renewal Plan for Graiguenamanagh – Tinnahinch.

2. To encourage continued use of accommodation above shops for private or rental use.

3. To ensure the maintenance and preservation of housing within the town centre, and to encourage continued residential use of upper floors.

4. To encourage sensitive conversion and reuse of historic structures where an original use has become redundant.

5. To utilise the powers under the Derelict Sites Act (1990) to require the maintenance of residential properties in non-derelict condition.

6. To encourage planned housing development of serviced lands within the development boundary and to encourage a wide range and high standard of design within these developments. The Planning Authority will require that serviced/serviceable lands will be developed in depth and at sustainable densities. The use of under utilised or brown-field sites will be preferred where possible in order to improve the environmental character of the town.

7. To reserve land so as to offer opportunities for locational choice for housing development within the development boundary, and to seek to maintain a clear division between the town and the county.

8. It is an objective of the Council to implement the housing strategy contained in appendix A of the County Development Plan.

9. The Council will require that 18.7% of the land zoned for residential use or for a mixture of residential and other uses be made available for the provision of social and affordable housing.

10. That residential developments have a good social mix, providing a range of unit types/sizes.

11. To provide for good quality pedestrian/cycle links between new developments and the town centre.

12. To ensure a high quality of building design and open space in all proposed housing, and other developments and to preserve where possible existing hedgerows, trees and habitats.

13. To encourage residential use on upper floors within the town over ground floor retail/office; or community/cultural facilities and where appropriate, retail/community/cultural facilities incorporated into housing schemes.

14. For residential units within the designated areas of the Town Renewal Plan residential units shall have the following minimum sizes:

A considerable volume of heavy traffic passes through the town centre to the ports of New Ross and Waterford. This traffic is having marked effect on the town’s environmental qualities and causes potential damage to historic buildings, and in particular, Duiske Abbey, through noise, vibration, etc. The provision of a relief road to remove this traffic from the historic centre, would have marked environmental benefits and allow further improvements to be made to the central areas, including widening of footpaths, etc. Lack of off-street car parking is a serious constraint to the economic life of the town. A line has been reserved for a relief road to the east of the town.

• To reserve from development the line of the proposed by-pass to the west of the town
• To implement phase 2 of an agreed traffic management plan for the town.
• To identify and facilitate as a matter of urgency a suitable location for off street parking for shoppers and secure parking for future waterways development.
• To adopt traffic solutions which are not injurious to the town’s historic street pattern.
• To seek funding to improve footpaths and lighting within the town, having regard to the its special historic and architectural character.

Planned extensions and improvements to sanitary services will be made subject to the availability of finance. It is expected that work on the Graiguenamanagh sewerage scheme will commence before the end of 2000.

It will be the policy of the Council to:
1. Provide a water supply to meet the existing and projected needs of the town.
2. Ensure that Graiguenamanagh is provided with an adequate waste water treatment system which will comply with all relevant environmental standards.

1. To provide an augmentation to the Graiguenamanagh water supply scheme.
2. To carry out improvements to the main drainage system and to provide a treatment plant at Brandondale within the period of the plan.

By preserving characteristic features of the County, we seek to maintain and nurture our cultural heritage as part of our identity. The intrinsic value of the Graiguenamanagh townscape, the areas of nature conservation and the sites, monuments, and structures of historic, architectural, artistic or technical interest is a major resource for the development of tourism and economic development while contributing to the quality of life. The sustainable management of this heritage is a key priority. The Council will seek a balance of accessibility and tourism development along with the conservation and preservation of the protected structures and heritage items generally and their settings.

Graiguenamanagh has a rich heritage and through the policies and objectives in Chapter 9 of Vol. 1 of the Development Plan the Council will seek to maintain and preserve that heritage.

It is the policy of the Council to use its powers and available resources to protect the architectural archaeological, historic and artistic heritage of Graiguenamanagh both for its cultural and tourism value in accordance with the policies set out in Chapter 9 of Vol. 1 of the County Development Plan.

The following are the objectives of the Council:

1. It is an objective of the Council to prepare an Architectural Conservation area Plan for the town with the period of the Plan.
2. It is an objective of the Council to seek the preservation/conservation of the following structures.