Significant works still needed at unfinished Kildare estate
Uneven and unfinished road surfaces are a common feature outside residents' homes in the Friary estate
A LONG-STANDING unfinished Kildare estate is not yet ready to be taken in charge, according to Kildare County Council.
Friary estate in Castledermot still has extensive drainage, sewer and road works required before the process can be completed.
At the most recent meeting of Athy Municipal District on Monday 20 July, cllr Veralouise Behan asked the council to confirm when the estate would be taken in charge.
Senior executive engineer Liam McNeela issued the council’s written response, which said that the council has recently inspected the estate and identified several problems that must be addressed before it can be taken in charge.
A specialist contractor has recently been appointed 'to carry out investigative CCTV surveys of the foul and storm networks', with the report stating that there are known issues with both systems.
The council is currently assessing the cost of the required works and preparing to put the project out to tender. Significant works are required, including the building of a storm water outfall, repairs to a foul line that runs through privately owned land and laying the final road surface throughout the estate.
Mr McNeela’s report added 'It is hoped to progress works on this estate as quickly as possible subject to available funding and resources'.
The council issued a taking in charge report for the estate in June 2025, and in January of this year gave an update stating that work on the unfinished estate was set to go to tender.
At the time, further progress on the estate was said to be dependent on the availability of staff resources, with the local authority lacking an engineer for the project.
Speaking at July’s monthly meeting, a council official said that the engineering position has been filled and described the Friary estate as “the priority estate” among legacy estates in the Athy Municipal District.
The official also acknowledged the frustration the situation has caused for residents.
A spokesperson for residents previously told the of their anger with the council over the unfinished condition of the estate. Development began in 2005, but the estate was left incomplete in 2008 when the developer went into receivership.
Residents have been expecting the council to take the estate in charge for a number of years.
The council secured and allocated €4.2 million in 2024 to complete 14 unfinished homes and two additional homes in the estate. The estate was fully occupied by March 2025.
Resident Miriam Harvey told the Kildare Nationalist: “As per the site resolution plan, we were told as residents and property owners that once the estate was fully occupied it would be taken over by Kildare County Council and works would be completed to finish the estate."
Ms Harvey said there are a number of other issues with the estate, including a derelict field which she believed was being used by youths for anti-social behaviour, but that potholes and uneven surfaces on the roads and footpaths are residents’ primary concern.
