 |
| LOCAL INTERESTS |
KILKENNY CASTLE [see map
reference No. 1]
 This
superb castle is located on elevated ground beside the river
at the south-eastern end of the city. The castle was built in
the thirteenth century on the site of an earlier fort. However,
the present building is vastly different from the stronghold
erected by Strongbow in the middle ages. Despite this, the present
structure retains the architectural lines of a medieval castle.
The building forms three sides of a quadrangle, with three of
the four original round towers intact. The Butlers, the Earls
of Ormonde (an Hibernicised Norman clan), occupied the castle
from the fourteenth century onwards. In modern times, the castle
has been restored to its former glory by the state, and was
officially open to the public in 1976. There is an exhibition
hall open to the public in the Old Castle Stables.
Kilkenny Castle provides guided tours, an art gallery, a
café during summer, extensive grounds and a childrens play
area.
|
|
| |
|
| |
NATIONAL CRAFTS GALLERY [see map
reference No. 2]
 The
National Crafts Gallery is located in Castle Yard directly across
from Kilkenny Castle. This gallery was initiated by the Crafts
Council of Ireland with the objective of stimulating an innovative
and quality design ethos in the Irish crafts sector. The gallery
boasts an impressive range of craft exhibitions that successfully
communicate and showcase the cultural and commercial attributes
of the craft sector in Ireland.
|
|
| |
|
| |
 SHEE
ALMS HOUSE [see map
reference No. 4]
Shee Alms House is situated in Rose Inn Street and was founded
in 1582 by Sir Richard Shee. The purpose of these institutions
was to take care of the poor, and this Tudor Alms House is one
of the last remaining buildings of its type still in existence
in Ireland. The building has been recently restored and now
accommodates the Kilkenny Tourist Office.
|
|
| |
|
| |
 THE
THOSEL [see map
reference No. 5]
This central Kilkenny landmark dates from 1761. Erected by Alderman
William Colles, the Thosel served as the market for the city
(the word 'thosel' means literally a marketplace). Architecturally,
the building has a double length arcade with an impressive Georgian
Council Chamber room positioned above the arcade. There is a
clock tower on the steeply pitched roof, and the southern wall
contains the Kilkenny coat of arms. The original building was
badly damaged after a fire in 1987, but has since been completely
restored, and now serves as the City Hall.
|
|
| |
|
| |
ROTHE HOUSE [see map
reference No. 6]
 This
magnificent sixteenth century Tudor town house is situated on
Parliament Street. Built in 1594 by John Rothe, the building
consists of three houses with courtyards. Rothe House currently
houses the museum and library of the Kilkenny Archaeological
Society.
Within the museum there are a number of exhibits including period
costume displays and a genealogical centre.
|
|
| |
|
| |
ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL [see map
reference No. 7]
 The
cathedral is situated on James's Street, and dates from the
mid nineteenth century. The building is accessible from the
Black Abbey via Black Mill Street. St. Mary's boasts a 200ft
high tower and superbly carved altars. |
|
| |
|
| |
BLACK ABBEY [see map
reference No. 8]
 William
Marshall (Earl of Pembroke) founded the Black Abbey in 1225
for the Dominicans. This impressive building is situated on
Abbey Street, and features a tower and some magnificent windows
dating from the original the original structure. The Dominican
abbey was dissolved in the sixteenth century and subsequently
became a courthouse. Fortunately, the abbey was restored to
its former glory in the nineteenth century enabling it to be
reopened as a church. At the Abbey entrance, one can find a
series of monumental slabs and stone coffins dating from the
middle ages. |
|
| |
|
| |
 BLACK
FREREN GATE [see map
reference No. 9]
Black Freren Gate is located in close proximity to the Black
Abbey on Abbey Street. This landmark is the sole existing remnant
of the entrance gates in the medieval city walls. |
|
| |
|
| |
ST. FRANCIS'S ABBEY [see map
reference No. 12]
 William
Marshall (Earl of Pembroke) founded St. Francis's Abbey in the
thirteenth century. In recent years, the Abbey has been the
oratory of Smithwick's Brewery, famous for 'Smithwicks' and
'Kilkenny' ales. The building features a bell tower, a Chancel,
and the superb east window. In the sixteenth century the Abbey
was possessed by the state and given to the corporation. Fortunately,
the building has been completely renovated in recent years. |
|
| |
|
| |
ST. CANICE'S CATHEDRAL [see map
reference No. 13]
 St.
Canice's was erected in the thirteenth century, and is accessible
from Irishtown via St. Canice's Steps. The cathedral features
a magnificent tower that offers impressive views of the city.
The cathedral evolved over the centuries and was unfortunately
damaged by Oliver Cromwell's troops in the seventeenth century.
This Kilkenny landmark features a fascinating collection of
monuments and tombs dating from the Tudor era.
|
|
| |
|
| |
KILKENNY COURTHOUSE (formerly Grace's Castle)
[see map reference No. 18]
 Kilkenny
Courthouse formerly known as Grace's Castle is presently used
for sittings of the Circuit and District Courts.The site was
originally a town house of the wealthy Grace family who leased
the building to the crown in 1566. Used as a jail from 1566,
it was transformed into a courthouse around the end of the 18th
century. |
|
| |
| |
| |
