Introduction Situated inland in the 'sunny south-east' of Ireland, Kilkenny is known as the medieval capital of Ireland. It is a county of gentle hills and fertile agricultural land, bordered by the Barrow and Suir rivers; Kilkenny city itself sits on the River Nore. The county covers an area of roughly 2000 square kilometers and has a population of about 75,000; 18,000 of whom are based in Kilkenny city.
Kilkenny city has been a market town since at least the fourth century, and was for a while the ecclesiastical and political centre of the country. The infamous Statute of Kilkenny that attempted to prevent the assimilation of Anglo-Normans and the local Irish was passed in 1366. Like the rest of the county, Kilkenny city is steeped in history and bears the marks of Celtic, Viking, Norman and English invaders. Today, it combines the intimacy of a large village with the attractions of a bustling entertainment and craft-orientated city. Winding cobbled streets and carefully restored...
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Black Abbey
Nobody is sure why this Dominican church, founded in 1225, is named Black Abbey. It may be because the Dominicans wore black capes over their white...
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- Attractions
- Parliament Street and environs
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Capuchin Friary
- The Capuchins have been in Kilkenny since 1699 but the present friary was built in 1847. The altarpiece in the church is a notable painting of...
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- Religious Sights
- Friary Street, Parnell Street and environs
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High Street
- As visitors walk down the gray stone sidewalks of Kilkenny's High Street, they will find themselves passing by attractive souvenir shops, clothing...
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- Attractions
- City Centre and environs
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