CURRENTLY NOT USED AS CAFES
THE TEA HOUSES ON BATEMAN QUAY [KILKENNY JUNE 2025]
As part of the ongoing development of the Abbey Quarter site, Kilkenny County Council completed the refurbishment of the Tea Houses on Bateman Quay. The buildings are located at the entrance to the new Riverside Garden and Skatepark amenity area, which officially opened in the summer of 2021. The Tea Houses are also strategically located adjacent to the bus stops for the City Bus Service and the Market Yard car park.
The Houses, dating from the 19th Century and historically known as "Pleasure Houses," have a history of operating a coffee/café type service, having been used by the gentry for afternoon tea on the banks of the River.
Funding was provided from the Urban Regeneration Development Fund of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Kilkenny County Council to bring these heritage landmark buildings back into use with modern services.
Current Status (June 2025):
The Tea Houses on Bateman Quay are currently functioning as a cultural and exhibition space, rather than permanent tearooms or retail units in the traditional sense. Kilkenny County Council issued "Expressions of Interest/Tenders" in early 2023 for parties interested in providing café or similar food/drink services in the renovated buildings, indicating their intention for them to operate as such.
However, recent information (June 2025) indicates that at least one of the Tea Houses is being actively used for art and poetry exhibitions. For example, the "AfterWords" poetry and art exhibition is scheduled to launch at the Tea House on Bateman Quay on June 21, 2025, and will be open for 10 days. The Kilkenny Arts Office and a dedicated curator, Rachel Botha, are involved in programming the Tea House as an art space. The Kilkenny Arts Festival also lists events at The Tea Houses, Bateman Quay.
While there was interest in operating them as cafés, it appears the immediate operational status is focused on being a vibrant public amenity for cultural events and exhibitions, with the potential for future café/food services.
As part of the ongoing development of the Abbey Quarter site, Kilkenny County Council completed the refurbishment of the Tea Houses on Bateman Quay. The buildings are located at the entrance to the new Riverside Garden and Skatepark amenity area, which officially opened in the summer of 2021. The Tea Houses are also strategically located adjacent to the bus stops for the City Bus Service and the Market Yard car park.
The Houses, dating from the 19th Century and historically known as "Pleasure Houses," have a history of operating a coffee/café type service, having been used by the gentry for afternoon tea on the banks of the River.
Funding was provided from the Urban Regeneration Development Fund of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Kilkenny County Council to bring these heritage landmark buildings back into use with modern services.
Current Status (June 2025):
The Tea Houses on Bateman Quay are currently functioning as a cultural and exhibition space, rather than permanent tearooms or retail units in the traditional sense. Kilkenny County Council issued "Expressions of Interest/Tenders" in early 2023 for parties interested in providing café or similar food/drink services in the renovated buildings, indicating their intention for them to operate as such.
However, recent information (June 2025) indicates that at least one of the Tea Houses is being actively used for art and poetry exhibitions. For example, the "AfterWords" poetry and art exhibition is scheduled to launch at the Tea House on Bateman Quay on June 21, 2025, and will be open for 10 days. The Kilkenny Arts Office and a dedicated curator, Rachel Botha, are involved in programming the Tea House as an art space. The Kilkenny Arts Festival also lists events at The Tea Houses, Bateman Quay.
While there was interest in operating them as cafés, it appears the immediate operational status is focused on being a vibrant public amenity for cultural events and exhibitions, with the potential for future café/food services.