No disabled swing for Kilkenny Castle Playground despite €100,000 revamp

By COLIN BARTLEY

THERE will be no swing suitable for children with physical disabilities in the revamped Kilkenny Castle Playground, simply because there is not enough space.

This was the response a Kilkenny resident received after contacting the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Works (OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran.

The €100,000 project will see a new wheelchair accessible roundabout as well as a sensory wall installed, new rubber matting, and an upgrade of the existing play equipment. But the swing did not make it onto the plans, although it was discussed.

One Kilkenny resident, asking on behalf of their granddaughter, contacted Minister Moran to enquire if a swing suitable for children with physical disabilities would included in the revamped playground.

She received a reply from Minister Moran’s private secretary, Derek Devaney, which said: “I welcome your suggestion that a swing, which is suitable for children with physical disabilities, might be installed.

“I understand that this type of equipment was considered in the planning stages of this refurbishment project but it could not be installed as there is insufficient space for the very sizable exclusion zone which would be required,” Mr Devaney added.

The Castle Playground was closed in late March to allow for the revamp. The re-opening of the playground has been postponed on numerous occasions and the work has yet completed, much to the frustration of many local families and children.

The OPW declined to commit to a date when the playground will finally reopen when questioned by KilkennyNow.ie on the matter.