Parade and Canal Bank Square to be officially opened this weekend
By Naoise Coogan
The newly refurbished Parade project and Canal Bank Square are to be officially opened this weekend.
The openings will coincide with Christmas celebrations and the celebration of Kilkenny 400 and will take place on Saturday evening November 21.
Mayor of Kilkenny, Malcolm Noonan, will turn on Kilkenny’s Christmas tree lights as well as the Parade’s new lighting as part of the festivities following the recent completion of urban design refurbishment works in both the Parade and Canal Square areas.
A range of entertainment will be hosted to mark the occasion between 5 pm and 7 pm at the two locations and the celebrations promise a great evening for all the family.
Santa will be paying a special visit to the streets of Kilkenny, and his sleigh will be pulled through the streets by his reindeer, and a supporting cast of colourful characters including Henry Hedgehog, Peter Polar Bear and Pippy the Penguin.
To highlight the new Parade and Canal Square’s performance and amenity space, local performers will entertain shoppers and visitors alike. Performances at Canal Square and parading though the city from 2 pm include the Kilkenny & District Pipe Band and Kilkenny Chamber Orchestra.
It had been hoped that the Parade space would have been used for Christmas markets this yearbut due to technical and legal difficulties, this proved impossible to secure for this year, however, there are plans for events such as this for the space in the future.
Brid O’ Connell, Co-ordinator of Kilkenny 400 said, “2009 has been a tough year for many people, however Kilkenny 400 has brought lots of smiles since it kicked off in April with events which have catered not only for people of Kilkenny but also for those from far and wide who have come to the city. The celebrations have brought a real positivity to Kilkenny as well as a financial boost, helping Kilkenny move from a top five to a top four Irish tourism destination.”
Cllr Paul Cuddihy, chairperson of Kilkenny 400, is hoping that the exciting and colourful Christmas celebrations will help attract more people into the city centre and bring Christmas cheer to local business.
“While Kilkenny 400 celebrations are based around an historic event – the 400th anniversary of the granting of city status to Kilkenny – we have been conscious to use it as an opportunity to attract people to the city, spend time and money here and in the process boost local business, particularly hotels and retail,” says Cllr Paul Cuddihy.
Kilkenny 400’s Christmas celebrations are the latest in a packed programme of events which continues in Kilkenny until the end of 2009. For a full listing of what’s on, visit www.kilkenny400.ie.