Latest update shows Abbey Grounds event space project in Wicklow is on track

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

District councillors have been told that works on the Abbey Grounds in Wicklow town remain ongoing.

In May of 2021, agreement was reached over the transfer of the Abbey Grounds to Wicklow County Council, after parishioners were asked for their input on future development, following on from an allocation of €500,000 from Fáilte Ireland to the local authority.

The plan is to develop the Abbey Grounds into an event space, so it acts as more of a multi-functional public amenity.

Contractors commenced working on site in June 2024 and the works remain on schedule.

District engineer Pat Clarke told the elected members at their December monthly meeting that plans are afoot to turn on the lights at the site over the Christmas period, after councillors received a tour of the site in recent weeks.

Current works are focused on ensuring the structure is safe and fit for purpose. Refurbishment of the Coach House, the installation of new toilet blocks and bin store are all now complete.

Works to fit out a café kitchen are expected to last up to a month, while works to fit out the front café area are expected to last up to six weeks.

Kerbing works are not possible until the amphitheatre is fully constructed. Final grading of stone to footpaths is ongoing, with two surfacing layers to be laid by end of the end of Q4 2025.

Block paving of certain sections of footpath is progressing while a new sliding gate mechanism and gate to Wentworth place /Abbey Street Car park entrance is now complete.

The toilet block and plant room/storage buildings have been erected. Roofing and installation for these buildings is ongoing. Steel support beams have been installed to coach house structure. The service entrance onto Wentworth Place is complete in advance of planned works for the park and amphitheatre. Construction of a new entrance wall for the Parochial House is complete with kerb and footpaths along the entrance also completed.

A detailed design is still progressing for the amphitheatre and performance area and material finishes being worked through at present on certain elements of the design.

Progress on the project was significantly delayed in 2022 due to the redesign of the amphitheatre which was required following the discovery of human bones at two separate locations. An additional archaeological dig was also required.