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County Kilkenny was settled by Normans, notably in the 1300s the Butlers, Earls of Ormonde. The county boasts many superb medieval ruins and
great stonewalls. To the north of Waterford lies Kilkenny on the River Nore. It's a striking medieval castle town, considered Ireland's most
beautiful inland city. Many old public buildings are constructed of "Kilkenny Marble" - the local black limestone.
Click on the headings to find out more:
Kilkenny Castle is one of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since
Strongbow constructed the first wooden tower on the location in the 12th century, with William the Earl Marshall building the first stone castle
on the site in 1260. Three of the original four towers still survive today even after extensive remodelling in Victorian times. Since 1391 the
castle was owned by the remarkable Anglo-Norman Butler family - earls, marquises and dukes. They were a remarkable family, resilient, politically
astute and faithful to the crown and to Ireland as dictated by the politics of the times, and for over 700 years they triumphed over all adversaries,
but taxes and the cost of maintaining the massive castle finally caught up with them and they sold the castle to the City of Kilkenny in 1967
for just IR�50. The castle and grounds are now managed by D�chas, The National Heritage Council. The gardens adjoining the castle are open to
the public and the recently opened Parade Tower is Kilkenny's newest function and conference venue.
Dunmore Cave at Ballyfoyle is open to visits. This labyrinth of caverns gained a mention in the 9th century Irish Triads in
connection with a ferocious Viking massacre there in 928 AD. Vikings smoked out the inhabitants. The smoke suffocated most and those who emerged
were butchered or enslaved. Creepy, but gripping stuff.
Jerpoint Abbey in Thomastown is an outstanding Cistercian Abbey dating from the 12th century.
St.Canice's Cathedral is Ireland's second largest medieval cathedral was established by St. Canice as a monastic settlement in the
6th century, William the Earl Marshall built the cathedral on the site in the first decade of the 13th century. Much of the building was carried out
between 1215 and 1260. Cromwell's troops wreaked havoc on the cathedral in 1650, but it survived and was restored in the 18th century along with
its remarkable limestone grave slabs.
The Black Abbey (Convent of the One and Undivided Trinity) was founded by William Marshall the Younger for the Dominican Friars
in 1225, and was at the centre of civic life in Kilkenny for centuries. It was repressed in 1543, converted into a courthouse and served as such
until the end of the 17th century. Partially restored in 1778, the Abbey did not become a place of public worship until the mid-19th century.
Its modern and antique stained glass windows are stunning and there are fascinating statues and relics on display there.
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