• Understand
• History
• Get in
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Contact
• Get out

Kilkenny is a city of 8,625 in the South East of Ireland.

[edit] Understand

Kilkenny is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland as well a weekend getaway for many Irish citizens. Well regarded for its vibrant nightlife it has become increasingly popular in recent years. The city is also famous for its many mediæval buildings and is referred to as the "Marble City." Despite its small population, it holds ancient city status due to having a cathedral. The locals do not take kindly to the city being referred to as a "town". Sightseeing, partying or a spot of shopping in Kilkenny's array of excellent shops, this city is certain to have it all for everyone.

[edit] History

Kilkenny / "Cill Chainnigh" - the church of Canice - was an important town, even from pre-Christian times. Its origins appear to be focused on the high ground now occupied by St Canice's Cathedral. The round tower here is the only above ground remnant of the early medieval monastery founded by the Irish saint - Canice himself. The surrounding area of the Irishtown, as it has been known since the Norman invasion, is therefore the oldest part of the city. The earliest church is presumed to have been built of wood being replaced eventually in the later medieval period by a romanesque-style stone church. This was in turn replaced by the current imposing medieval cathedral.

A number of other religious sites around the city have given their names to many of the streets including Michael St., John St, Abbey Street and Patrick St.

The Norman presence in the town is still the most palpable. Located at a prominent bend in the River Nore, where an outcrop of rock presents a natural vantage point, the castle is built. This lies on the site of earlier wattle and mud structures and was the site of the fortifications of the Fitzpatricks and the O'Carrolls (840 A.D.), amongst others. Though the religious origins of the city are well documented, it is not known as yet quite how early these secular structures are. Later medieval life in the city was often lively with a series of walls built to protect the good burghers.

The Tholsel, Kilkenny

The kingdom of "Ossory", delineated by the rivers Suir and Nore, was governed by Kilkenny. In early Norman times - until the late 12th century - Kilkenny was the capital of the colony in Ireland. It also became the home of a preceptory of the Knights of St Thomas.

Friar John Clyn witnessed the effects of the Black Death in kilkenny, after its spread in August 1348:[1]

The pestilence gathered strength in Kilkenny during Lent, for between Christmas day and 6 March, eight Friars Preachers died. There was scarcely a house in which only one died but commonly man and wife with their children and family going one way, namely, crossing to death.

The Statutes of Kilkenny (1366) got their name from the then Irish Parliament in Kilkenny. The statutes contained nineteen clauses, their general provision being to reduce the influence of the Irish on the Normans. They prohibited intermarriage as well as the customs and language of the Irish, which were considered to have had an adverse effect on the Norman settlers. The statutes also attempted to outlaw Brehon Laws.

Kilkenny was the capital of Confederate Ireland between 1642 and 1649, until it surrendered during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland.

Kilkenny Castle, as seen from the Rose GardenKilkenny is the home of two noted schools, both of which are historically important. One is the Church of Ireland Kilkenny College, founded in 1538 and one of the oldest schools in the country. This school has had several notable students, including both Jonathan Swift and George Berkeley. St. Kieran's College, founded in 1782, was the first Roman Catholic secondary school in Ireland and was created as Grattan's Parliament caused some relaxation of the Penal Laws in the country. St. Kieran's is a noted centre of the ancient Irish sport of hurling and has seen many famous hurling stars wearing the school's colours.

Set approximately in the centre of the ancient Kingdom of Ossory, Kilkenny is still the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossory and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory.

St. Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower

[edit] Get in

Kilkenny is almost 150km from Dublin Airport and is reached by a branch off the main Dublin-Waterford road. It is 90 miles from Cork or Shannon. Train service from Dublin (Heuston Station) and Waterford. Bus Eireann and JJ Kavanagh operate buses from Busaras and St. Georges Quay respectively in Dublin to Kilkenny. JJ Kavanagh operates direct services from Dublin Airport.

[edit] See

Kilkenny City, Ireland's most beautiful Historic City, is a perfect hub for arts and culture in Ireland. It is the historic gem in Ireland and the historic sites and concentrated in a small area in the City Centre:

• The magnificent Kilkenny Castle is the principal attraction with its art galleries, beautiful grounds and of course the famous Rose Garden.
• St Canices Cathedral and Round Tower. The Round Tower is one of the few in the country that you can climb to the top of.
• Rothe House Museum.
• Walking through the 'Slips' (narrow passageways) in the town center leads to the main shops
• Brewery, home of Smithwicks and Kilkenny Beer can be visited in centre of city.
• Butler House, a magnificant house with stunning gardens across from the Kilkenny Castle.
• The Black Abbey, an ancient abbey in the centre of the city, in a beautiful area surrounded by Kilkenny's old City Wall.

Kilkenny Castle, seen from Rose Garden

Indeed, while the principal attractions are to be found in Kilkenny City, there are many towns and villages around Kilkenny County which are well worth a visit. Bennettsbridge, a small town a few miles south of the city is the home of the famous Nicolas Mosse Pottery, while the world famous Mount Juliet Estate in Thomastown is a golfing delight with acres of woodland to explore. Of course, Kells Priory in Kells is a truly magnificant structure, one of the best preserved in Ireland, and is the perfect rural getaway. Inistioge is a romantic village beautifully located on the banks of the River Nore in South Kilkenny. Is has a picture-postcard location and is simply stunning, with its valleys and other striking scenery. There are quaint coffee shops to befound here and of course the most delicious restaurants also.

Kilkenny Castle overlooking the River

[edit] Do

• Try and catch a Hurling match. Kilkenny are perennial Irish champions.
• The Kilkenny Arts Festival, which runs during August ever year, is a time of much colour and enjoyment in the City. The long streets are flooded with artists and music can be heard throughout the city.
• The rythm and roots festival is yet another hugely popular festival in Kilkenny city, where music like jazz can be fully appreciated. It usually takes place at the beginning of summer and is very enjoyable.
• During the summer every year, Kilkenny plays host to a major concert in Nowlan Park, the local stadium. Past acts include Andrea Bocelli, Bod Dylan, Shania Twain and Rod Stewart, to name but a few. 2008's main headliner is Dolly Parton.

[edit] Buy

Throughout county Kilkenny there are an excellent array of things to purchase. Be it pottery in Bennettsbridge or different arts and crafts in Kilkenny City or, of course, boutique items of clothing on the High Street you are guaranteed to come back shopped out.

• Kilkenny Design, opposite the Kilkenny Castle on The Parade, is home of the finest crafts in the City.
• High Street includes Kilkenny's many boutique shops, as well as the usual High Street brands.
• The New MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre includes many excellent stores, as well as some of the finest cafés around in the brilliantly renovated Work House and old Railway Station (It includes a Great Famine Memorial Garden).

[edit] Eat

Kilkenny has an excellent selection of some of the finest restaurants around, including many luxury and traditional places to eat.

• Fléva, beside the Tholsel on High Street. This restaurant is famous in Kilkenny for its excellent qualtiy of food.
• Zuni, Patrick Street, is a luxurious restaurant with a superb menu.
• Café Sol, William Street (opposite the Tholsel) is one of Kilkenny's finest places for lunch or indeed dinner. (queues are quite large at peak times).
• Kytelers Inn, Kieran Street, is probably the most friendly and traditional place to eat in Kilkenny. Steeped in history, this restaurant and pub is a wonderful place to sample Irish life at its best.

Other notable restaurants include Chez Pierre, Marble City Bar, Rinuccini's and Italian Affair, a wonderful Italian restaurant in Bennettsbridge where Italy surely comes to you.

[edit] Drink

The City of Kilkenny has a large array of pubs and clubs for all ages. While Parliament street remains the traditional area for quiet, comfortable pubs, John street is more for the younger clubbing crowd. Nevertheless, Kytelers Inn on Kieran Street and the new Left Bank on the parade offer fine drinking bars for all ages.

Throughout the pubs in Kilkenny you can try the native Kilkenny Beer and of course the native Smithwicks Ale, famous the world over as the distinct Red Ale.

[edit] Sleep

• Lyrath Estate Hotel on the outskirts of the city is Kilkenny's premier 5 star hotel. With its wonderful spa facilities and amazing grounds, this luxurious hotel has it all.

Lyrath Estate Hotel

[edit] Contact

[edit] Get out

• Kells (not to be confused with Kells, Co Meath) is a charming village about 10km south of Kilkenny. It is home to extensive ruins of the former abbey. These are some of the largest in the country and you are free to wander throughout the whole complex. There is a Round Tower and High Cross nearby. The Centre of the Village looks out across the lovely stonebridge crossing the river.