Kilkenny “Survived Cromwell but it didn’t survive the recent local government legislation that reduced it from being a city to being a borough”

Government’s being called on to restore Kilkenny city’s historic status and strengthen local democracy.

Carlow Kilkenny TD and Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness made the plea in a detailed Dáil exchanged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne.

Deputy McGuinness argued that the abolition of Kilkenny Borough Council under the Local Government Reform Act 2014 stripped the city not only of its historic civic status but also weakened the connection between local government and the people it serves.

And he reminded the Minister that Kilkenny’s city status dates back to the Royal Charter of 1609.

Watch the interaction here;