Stoneyford, County Kilkenny


Stoneyford, officially Stonyford is a small town in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It lies on the N9 Waterford road some 14 km south of Kilkenny City. Stoneyford is a part of the parish of Aghaviller in the Diocese of Ossory.
Two small streams run through the village, one to the west and the second to the north of the village. Both streams join the north of the village and continue northwards as a tributary to the King's River, which is less than 500 metres North of the village. It is an important salmonid river which merges with the River Nore to the east of Stoneyford. The King’s River is used regularly for fishing.

Architectural heritage

Stoneyford has a number of buildings which are listed on the Record of Protected Structures for County Kilkenny. These include the early 19th century Catholic Church, the old two-storey school house and the pub-front of “O’Grady’s" premises with its marbleised lettering.

Population

The 2016 Census recorded Stoneyford with a population of 376 persons, up from 355 in 2011. There are two new housing estates in the area; Chapel View, which is in the middle of the village, and Lawcus Fields on the road to Kells.

Education

Stoneyford is served by one primary school, Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, which was opened in 1948. The school consists of four classrooms and a staff room. There is a concrete yard to the front and to the back of the school with a grassed area to the side. In 2014, a small grass playing field was developed and opened at the back of the school.

Services

Stoneyford's amenities include a food store, public house, a take away restaurant, a café, and a closed Garda Station. There is no resident Garda in Stoneyford. Stoneyford is in the area covered by the Thomastown Garda station.
Stoneyford also has a community center building which hosts a number of classes and activities. The Church of Ireland faith is served by St. Peter's Church, Ennisnag, Kilkenny, just outside Stoneyford.

Sport

Carrickshock Gaelic Athletic Association is the local hurling club. They have been County Kilkenny senior hurling champions seven times: in 1931, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1951.
A number of underage sports exist within the village. Stoneyford Football Club has teams covering the U4-U14 age groups. They also have a men's team.
There is an underage athletics club which is run once a week next to the community centre.