| So, you are considering a weekend break in | | | | Kilkenny Design Centre remains Ireland's most |
| Ireland. You want to try somewhere small and | | | | prestigious source of Irish gifts of exceptional |
| intimate but with lots of facilities and a good | | | | quality. It attracts thousands of visitors every |
| nightlife. Then why not try Kilkenny, a convenient | | | | year and it is to the forefront of cutting-edge |
| 90 minute drive from Dublin and fulfilling all your | | | | design in Ireland. |
| requirements. | | | | St. Canice's Cathedral is another one of the |
| Kilkenny City is the administrative capital of | | | | Kilkenny's attractions, also known as Kilkenny |
| County Kilkenny in southeast Ireland. Established | | | | Cathedral. It is dedicated to St. Canice and is the |
| as a city by royal charter of King James in 1609, | | | | Church of Ireland cathedral church of Kilkenny and |
| Kilkenny is therefore one of the oldest cities in | | | | the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Cashel and |
| Ireland. Situated on the River Nore, Kilkenny is | | | | Ossary. The present building dates from the 13th |
| very pretty city and ideal for walking around. It is | | | | century and is the second longest cathedral in |
| a very popular city for weekend breaks drawing | | | | Ireland. |
| in a lot of UK and Dublin city business to its quaint | | | | Kilkenny City is nicknamed The Marble City and |
| pubs, excellent restaurants and hectic nightlife. | | | | after a tour of the cathedrals and castles, it is not |
| Kilkenny boasts a large amount of quality hotels | | | | hard to see why. Ornate vistas of marble altars |
| for a city of its size. There is a sparkling nightlife | | | | abound in all the churches and cathedrals. |
| with some great pubs such as the renowned | | | | Not far from the city, near the village of |
| Langtons in the city centre. | | | | Thomastown stands Jerpoint Abbey, a former |
| The city has a population of 22,179 at the 2006 | | | | Cistercian Monastery and large settlement when |
| Census making it the second smallest city in | | | | constructed. Some superb architectural features |
| Ireland after Armagh. | | | | remain on the ruins for inspection. |
| Kilkenny Castle is the most important tourist | | | | Kilkenny offers a host of leisure activities and |
| attraction in the city. It is the most prominent | | | | amenities to the visitor. There is an abundance of |
| landmark in this compact and beautiful city and is | | | | parks and walking trails in the area. Golfers are |
| the most visited attraction in County Kilkenny and | | | | well catered for by both Kilkenny Golf Club, in the |
| up there with the top tourist attractions in Ireland. | | | | city, and the famous Mount Juliet Golf and |
| Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since | | | | Country Club, near Thomastown. Mount Juliet |
| Strongbow constructed the first castle in the 12th | | | | hosted the Irish Open Golf Championship several |
| century. William the Earl Marshall built the first | | | | times. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it is regarded as |
| stone castle on the site in 1213. The Butler families | | | | a great test of golf and one of the finest |
| were long time inhabitants of the Castle through | | | | parkland courses in Ireland. |
| many generations right up to 1935. The family | | | | The compact size of Kilkenny City is what |
| bought the Castle in 1391 and lived there | | | | provides the great character to it. You can |
| throughout wars, feuds and a variety of rulers of | | | | wander around the city and never be far from |
| Ireland until 1935, quite a remarkable feat | | | | anything. The streetscapes are beautiful with |
| considering the political events and various wars | | | | some lovely shop and house facades. A wide |
| and invasions that took place over that time. The | | | | variety of cuisine will keep the foodies happy. |
| Butler family donated the property to the Nation | | | | Each year Kilkenny hosts the Cat Laughs Comedy |
| in 1967. | | | | Festival on the June Bank Holiday weekend. It has |
| Located in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle is one | | | | developed into Irelands leading comedy festival |
| of the great treasures of Kilkenny City and | | | | with stars from Ireland and worldwide performing |
| indeed Ireland - the Kilkenny Design Craft Centre | | | | every year. If you are planning a visit to Kilkenny, |
| - offering an unrivalled selection of Irish | | | | any time is a good time to visit one of Ireland's |
| handcrafted gifts. While it has many imitators, the | | | | most beautiful cities. |