Introduction to Kilkenny
Kilkenny (Irish: Cill Chainnigh or Church of Canice) is the county seat of County Kilkenny, Ireland. The city proper has a population of 8,625, but including environs is 23,967; it is Ireland's smallest city both by area and population. Kilkenny is located on the River Nore and is famed for its history and nightlife. Kilkenny was granted a Royal Charter in 1609 by King James I; its status as a city was most recently recognised by Section 10(7) of the Local Government Act 2001, which grants Kilkenny permission to call itself a city although it is not officially recognised as a city and is administered by a borough council.
Kilkenny, spanning the river Nore, is the only county in the Republic of Ireland that is not tidal. Kilkenny is also the only county in the republic that has neither an institute of technology nor university; although the National University of Ireland, Maynooth maintains an outreach centre at St. Kierans College.
A Brief History of Kilkenny
Until the late 12th century, Kilkenny was the capital of Ireland
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 is the home of two noted schools, both of which are historically important. One is Kilkenny College, founded in 1538 and one of the oldest schools in the country. This college has had several notable students, including both Jonathan Swift and George Berkeley. St. Kieran's College, founded in 1782, was the first 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 Ossary, Kilkenny is still the seat of the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Ossary
Kilkenny acquired railway links to Dublin in 1850, Waterford in 1854, Portlaoise in 1876 and Castlecomer in 1919. Córas Iompair Éireann closed the Castlecomer and Kilkenny Junction lines in 1962. Kilkenny railway station was renamed McDonagh in 1966. Kilkenny remains an important stop on Iarnród Éireann's Intercity route between Dublin and Waterford.
Kilkenny Cats
"The Kilkenny Cats", referring to two cats who fought to the death, is often used as a metaphor for human behaviour, and is a well-known expression both in Ireland and abroad.
Areas of Interest in Kilkenny
Castlecomer Lakes
Since Spring 2005 it is now possible to fish in the two lakes found within Castlecomer Demesne in County Kilkenny. Fishing platforms have been constructed along the west side of each lake to allow the best possible access to the water.
Jerpoint Glass Studio
The fiery furnace where the raw materials are melted into molten glass, the near white hot glory holes where glasses are reheated in their making, and the skills of the glassmakers as they blow, balance and manipulate flowing red-hot glass into its desired shape, make the art of glassmaking a most exciting spectacle for the visitor.
Kilkenny Castle
A 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in an extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler Family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. The Castle was occupied from the 13th to the 20th century, with the Butler Family in residence from 1391 until 1935. The 19th century Picture Gallery is 45 metres long and contains many Butler portraits as well as some fine tapestries, while the other rooms display the authentic fabrics that existed in the house in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The central block now includes a library, drawing room and bedrooms decorated in 1830's splendour. A suite of former servants rooms is the Butler Art Gallery, which mounts frequently changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
Ballyrafton Wood
Ballyrafton Wood is about half way between Kilkenny and Castlecomer on the main road.
Facilities: Riverside Forest walks, picnic tables, seats and car park. There is also a tower bridge crossing the river Dinan.
Ignatius Rice House
Ignatius Rice House, birthplace of Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762-1844) retains many of the artifacts of a late 18th century strong farmers home. Admission is by application to the adjoining Monastery.
The Watergarden
Peaceful garden hidden in Thomastown with many interesting features - sparkling fountains, water wheel, waterfall, wonderful plants, coffee shop, craft shop and garden centre.
Traditional Music and Craic in Kilkenny