The unique tea house building located at Bateman Quay in Kilkenny city is set become an amenity that will be used by visitors and tourists to Kilkenny city.
Following an in-depth report requested by the members of Kilkenny Borough Council into the building, which was presented to the members this week, it was agreed that the best use of the building would be that of a tourist kiosk.
There had been discussions about the possibility of locating public toilets in the building as the facilities are seen to be lacking in this area, however, following examination of the tea house, it was considered too small to host facilities of this nature, as the design of the building presented several constraints including a lack of water connection in the building.
The tea house is a protected structure and an archaeological licence from the Department of Environment and Heritage would be required in order to carry out works. Also no extension of the building is advised due to its simple symmetric design.
Senior engineer Kieran Fitzgerald said that the options considered were a public toilet, tourist kiosk, commercial use or a museum or gallery.
“With its proximity to the bus set-down areas and taxis, it would be particularly suited to a leisure/tourist type activity ie. bicycle rental, walking tours, summer tourist bus pick up etc as these activities would not require services.”
The use of the building as a museum was not considered ideal as the space within the building is so limited, however, Mr Fitzgerald said that if considered in conjunction with the second building located near the Diageo border, this type of facility could be provided.
Cllr Malcolm Noonan welcomed this proposal and suggested that the tea house become one of a number of ‘Kilkenny Museum’ exhibition spaces that could be scattered around the city.”
Finally, the members agreed that the tourist kiosk was the preferable use in the short term.
Cllr Paul Cuddihy stated, “We need to use our river more — the tea house is a very attractive feature and soon enough we will have a pedestrian bridge going from that area over to the Carnegie Hall side, which will open up this area.”
Cllr Sean O hArgain added, “this would be an ideal location to set up the free bike scheme. This building should stay in the hands of the council and not be given to a private operator,” he added.
Cllr Joe Reidy pointed out that there were public toilets close by in the new court house building which the public are entitled to use, but he added that people aren’t aware that they are there.
“ I’d like to know why we bought this building in the first place - what was our plan for it back then?” he asked.
