New jewellery academy officially opens at site of former courthouse

A new Irish jewellery academy has officially opened at the site of a former courthouse. 

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, today (May 17) opened the Academy of Jewellery and Goldsmithing Centre of Excellence at the Sessions House building in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. 

The building has been transformed into a new home for the academy with €1.5 million funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the LEADER Programme with match funding from Kilkenny County Council. 

Works also include improvements to the public realm and an accessible carpark in the town. 

The Centre of Excellence will provide educational opportunities for the jewellery sector by providing facilities for full-time students and industry specific short courses, as well as space for designers in residency, incubator spaces and a gallery space accessible to the public. 

Speaking at today’s opening, Minister Humphreys said, "What a fantastic occasion this is – I’m really delighted to be with you all here today for the official opening of The Academy of Jewellery and Goldsmithing Centre of Excellence at Sessions House.

"Today really is a celebration of the strong and vibrant creative and design culture that exists here in Kilkenny. And I know that this new Academy really will strengthen both Thomastown and indeed the entire South East Region as a centre for creative and vibrant cultural activity.

"I’m really delighted that, under my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and LEADER Programme, to be able to support this project with an investment of €1.2 million. And thanks to the support of Kilkenny County Council and the Design and Craft Council of Ireland, we are today officially opening a €1.75 million euro project overall.”