Our TY Local History students went door-to-door speaking with residents of the 1916 housing row at The Butts, now over 110 years old, uncovering the story of homes built under Mayor John Magennis (1914–16). Developed during the years of World War I, this housing scheme improved living conditions for working families on the eve of the Easter Rising. The limestone plaque on the terrace stands as a quiet reminder of civic ambition and social progress in early 20th-century Kilkenny.
Through a student-led survey of local residents, it was striking how many original features remain: fireplaces, doors and stonework, all still in daily use over a century later. One particularly interesting detail was a decorative air vent (air brick) embedded in the wall; a simple but clever 1916 solution to dampness, still vital in Ireland’s climate today. Its patterned cast iron design is a reminder that even small features can reveal the practical thinking behind historic homes.
This visit and survey showed how local housing schemes can tell powerful stories of community and everyday life in the past.
Christian Brothers College Kilkenny © 2023. All rights reserved.
App