Crokers Hill Kilkenny’s largest social housing development is officially opened

Crokers Hill consists of 88 homes alongside community facilities on the Kennyswell Road in Kilkenny City
Housing Minister James Browne has insisted the Government will continue investing heavily in housing until the challenges facing people across the country are resolved, as he officially opened the largest social housing development ever delivered by Kilkenny County Council.

Speaking to Kilkenny Live at Crokers Hill on the Kennyswell Road, Minister Browne was quizzed on rising construction costs and the Government’s housing targets.

“We have record funding for housing this year, over nine billion euros in capital funding, we’re going to keep putting money in until we get the housing challenges people are facing resolved,” he said.

Asked about the Government’s role in working with local authorities to ensure additional lands zoned for housing translate into new homes, Minister Browne stressed that infrastructure and services must accompany development.

“We have to make sure we have the correct services put in place (footpaths, water connections, esb connections etc) and also community services are following those homes as well in terms of healthcare and other facilities. We’re about building communities, not houses.”

Minister Browne officially opened Crokers Hill on Friday, September 25. The landmark development comprises 88 homes on a 2.34-hectare site and was delivered by Kilkenny County Council’s Housing Capital Team alongside van Dijk Architects, Hayes Higgins Partnership, McGann Surveyors and Ormonde Construction Ltd.

The Government provided more than €35 million towards the development, which has been designed as a high-density and sustainable urban neighbourhood.

More than 21% of the homes have been constructed to Universal Design standards, while Crokers Hill also includes a purpose-built Group Home managed by Aurora Disability Services.
The development’s Community Centre has been leased to the Thomas Hayes Trust and is already being used for community development, resident engagement and support services.

Crokers Hill has also received national recognition, winning awards at both the Irish Building & Design Awards 2026 and Irish Construction Excellence Awards 2026.
Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Joe Malone said the project team had transformed “an ambitious concept into a landmark development that will benefit the people of Kilkenny for years to come.”