The now imminent opening of Kilkenny’s first ever bowling centre at MacDonagh Junction forms the keystone of several new developments at the major shopping centre beside Kilkenny Railway Station.
The state-of-the-art ten lane K-Bowl centre will provide a strong attraction for residents and visitors to the city when it opens its doors in mid November.
Free Parking Arrangements
As on-street parking charges come into effect in Kilkenny city, MacDonagh Junction will provide extra convenience to shoppers with two hours free parking all day and free parking after 6pm each evening. Shoppers will also be facilitated with centre trading hours extended until 9pm each day Monday to Friday in December. All stores will be open between 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday from Monday December 1 and also on Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 December. Stores will be open between 9am to 7pm on Saturdays and 10am to 6pm on other Sundays in December.
Credit Union
St Canice’s Kilkenny Credit Union, one of Ireland’s largest, will open a new branch at Good Shed Square in MacDonagh Junction towards the end of November. Chief executive Claire Lawton commented that the Credit Union’s growth in membership has dictated the need for this facility to service members in the eastern environs of the city.
Christmas
A big winner this Christmas will be Santa’s Polar Mountain Tableau Grotto at Workhouse Square. Opening with Santa’s gala arrival through Kilkenny to MacDonagh Junction on November 22, this should prove to be hugely popular with parents and children alike as it will be the largest Christmas amenity ever to be seen in Kilkenny city.
Arrangements are also well advanced for the refit of the landmark Workhouse Square as an eatery centre with new seating, heating and layouts being incorporated in plans by the interior design architect, Kim Dreyer. The first phase of these plans will be completed before Santa’s arrival at MacDonagh Junction on Saturday November 22.
Retailers
Meanwhile the retailer Tom Tailor is coming to MacDonagh Junction where it is anticipated they will be open by early December. This will bring to 34 the number of high quality retail outlets at the vibrant new city quarter development which is putting plans in place for an extra special Christmas this year.
A total of nine new stores opened during 2008 including Stonehouse Books, Skyshop, Sweet Factory, HB Swirl It, The Bag Shop and the hugely popular Eddie Rockets. The Health & Safety Authority also recently opened new offices at the Hebron Office block.
Convenience
Footfall at MacDonagh Junction is bucking the national downward trend with substantial percentage increases week on week since the early summer. Centre Manager Donie Butler attributes this to the high quality of the overall MacDonagh Junction experience. “People now know that MacDonagh Junction is worth visiting for its convenience and the wide range of top retailers who we offer under one roof in beautiful and comfortable surroundings. People can also do their full door to door shopping at MacDonagh Junction without getting wet or wind blown.”
Children
“Already we are looking forward to other new openings early in 2009 with the very popular Esprit store arriving at MacDonagh Junction. A new car valeting service will also be up and running early in the New Year. In addition to our youth facility, it is also planned to have a new Children’s Play Zone at MacDonagh Mall adjacent to Dunnes Stores. This will be entirely free to all children under eight once supervised by an adult.
Children are well catered for at the centre every weekend when face painting and novelty balloon shaping are provided free of charge. Other important members of the community are also considered with a Senior Citizens gathering every Monday at 11.00 am and Mums’ Mornings on Tuesdays at Costa Coffee in Workhouse Square.
Further details at www.macdonaghjunction.com
