View source for Kilkenny

{{short description|City in Leinster, Ireland}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Kilkenny
| native_name              = {{nativename|ga|Cill Chainnigh}}
| native_name_lang         = ga
| settlement_type          = City
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
|border = infobox
|total_width = 280px
|image_style = border:1;
|perrow = 1/2/2
|image1 = Kilkenny skyline panoramic - 2024-03-22.jpg
|caption1 = City skyline
|image2 = Kilkenny castle 2.jpg
|caption2 = [[Kilkenny Castle]]
|image3 = St. Canice's Cathedral - 2024-03-22.jpg
|caption3 = [[St Canice's Cathedral]]
|image4 = Flags (8180284444).jpg
|caption4 = Market Cross Shopping Centre
|image5 = Kilkenny The Parade 2.jpg
|caption5 = The Parade
}}
| image_shield             = Kilkenny CoA.png
| shield_size              = 150px
| nickname                 = ''The Marble City''
| mapsize                  = 230px
| map_caption              = Location of Kilkenny in Ireland
| pushpin_map              = Ireland#Europe
| pushpin_relief           = 1
| pushpin_label_position   = left
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Ireland
| coordinates              = {{coord|52.6477|-7.2561|dim:100000_region:IE|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| subdivision_type1        = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Leinster]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[County Kilkenny|Kilkenny]]
| leader_title             = [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local authority]]
| leader_name              = [[Kilkenny County Council]]
| leader_title2            = [[Dáil constituency]]
| leader_name2             = [[Carlow–Kilkenny (Dáil constituency)|Carlow–Kilkenny]]
| leader_title3            = [[European Parliament]]
| leader_name3             = [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]]
| unit_pref                = Metric
| area_total_km2           = 
| elevation_m              = 60
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="tableF1015census2022">{{cite web|url = https://data.cso.ie/table/F1015 | publisher = Central Statistics Office | work = Census 2022 | title = F1015: Population and Average Age by Sex and List of Towns (number and percentages), 2022 | date = April 2022 | accessdate = 29 June 2023 }}</ref>
| population               = 27,184
| population_as_of         = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
| population_rank          = [[List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland|13th]]
| blank_name_sec1          = Irish Grid Reference
| blank_info_sec1          = {{iem4ibx|S506563}}
| area_code_type           = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area code]]
| area_code                = +353(0)56
| postal_code_type         = [[Eircode]] routing key
| postal_code              = R95
| timezone                 = [[Western European Time|WET]]
| utc_offset               = ±0
| timezone_DST             = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset_DST           = +1
| website                  = {{official website}}
| official_name            = 
| population_demonym       = Cat
}}

'''Kilkenny''' ({{irish place name|Cill Chainnigh}} {{IPA|ga|ˌciːl̠ʲ ˈxan̠ʲəj|}}, meaning 'church of [[Cainnech of Aghaboe|Cainnech]]')<ref name="Room 2006">{{Harvnb|Room|2006}}.</ref> is a city in [[County Kilkenny]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2001/act/37/section/10/revised/en/html|title=Local Government Act 2001, Section 10 (as revised)|website=[[Law Reform Commission (Ireland)|Law Reform Commission]]|access-date=9 April 2023|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706050702/http://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/2001/act/37/section/10/revised/en/html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is located in the [[South-East Region, Ireland|South-East Region]] and in the [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] of [[Leinster]]. It is built on both banks of the [[River Nore]]. The [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]] gave the population of Kilkenny as 27,184, the [[List of urban areas in the Republic of Ireland|thirteenth-largest urban centre in Ireland]].<ref name="tableF1015census2022"/>

Kilkenny is a tourist destination, and its environs include historic buildings such as [[Kilkenny Castle]], [[St Canice's Cathedral]] and round tower, [[Rothe House]], [[Shee Alms House]],<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.kilkenny.ie/eng/about_kilkenny/history/famous_landmarks/shee_alms_house.html|title = Kilkenny|website = Kilkenny Famous Landmarks|publisher = Kilkenny County Council|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160127090457/http://www.kilkenny.ie/eng/about_kilkenny/history/famous_landmarks/shee_alms_house.html|archive-date = 2016-01-27|url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Black Abbey]], [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St. Mary's Cathedral]], [[The Tholsel, Kilkenny|The Tholsel]], [[St. Francis Abbey]], Grace's Castle, and [[St. John's Abbey, Kilkenny|St. John's Priory]]. Kilkenny is also known for its craft and design workshops, the Watergate Theatre, public gardens and museums. Annual events include [[Kilkenny Arts Festival]],<ref>{{Cite web|url =http://www.visitkilkenny.ie/kilkenny_arts_festival|title =Kilkenny Living History, Loving Culture|publisher =Kilkenny Tourism|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191948/http://www.visitkilkenny.ie/kilkenny_arts_festival|archive-date =2016-03-03|url-status =dead}}</ref> the [[Cat Laughs]] comedy festival and music at the Kilkenny Roots Festival.<ref name="kilkennyroots.com">{{cite web|url=http://kilkennyroots.com|title=Kilkenny Roots Festival|website=kilkennyroots.com|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=16 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916035353/http://kilkennyroots.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kilkenny began with an early 6th-century ecclesiastical foundation within the [[Kingdom of Ossory]]. Following the 12th-century [[Norman invasion of Ireland]], Kilkenny Castle and a series of walls were built to protect the [[burgh]]ers of what became a [[Normans|Norman]] merchant town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=historic towns publication |url=https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/assets.ria.ie/ihta/ihta-digital/anglo-norman-towns/kilkenny/IHTA_10_Kilkenny_Text.pdf |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119235132/https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/assets.ria.ie/ihta/ihta-digital/anglo-norman-towns/kilkenny/IHTA_10_Kilkenny_Text.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> [[William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke|William Marshall]], [[Lordship of Ireland|Lord of Leinster]], gave Kilkenny a charter as a town in 1207. By the late 13th century, Kilkenny was under [[Hiberno-Norman]] control. The [[Statutes of Kilkenny]], passed at Kilkenny in 1367, aimed to curb the decline of the Hiberno-Norman [[Lordship of Ireland]]. In 1609, King [[James I of England]] granted Kilkenny a [[Royal Charter]], giving it the status of a city. Following the [[Irish Rebellion of 1641]], the [[Irish Catholic Confederation]], also known as the "Confederation of Kilkenny", was based in Kilkenny and lasted until the [[Cromwellian conquest of Ireland]] in 1649. From 1840 onwards, Kilkenny has not been administered as a city under local government law, but the [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]] provides for "the continued use of the description city".

Kilkenny was a brewing centre from the late 17th century, and still houses a number of breweries. The [[Heritage Council]] offices are at Church Lane in the former Bishop's Palace. The seat of the [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossory]] is at [[St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St Mary's Cathedral]] and the [[Church of Ireland]] [[Bishop of Cashel and Ossory]] is at [[St Canice's Cathedral]].

==Toponymy==
Kilkenny is the anglicised version of the Irish {{lang|ga|Cill Chainnigh}}, meaning ''Cell/Church of [[Cainnech of Aghaboe|Cainneach]] or [[Cainnech of Aghaboe|Canice]]''.<ref name="Room 2006"/> This relates to a church built in honour of [[Cainnech of Aghaboe|St. Canice]], an [[Ulster]]man, on the hill now containing [[St Canice's Cathedral|St. Canice's Cathedral]] and the [[Irish round tower|round tower]]. This seems to be the first major settlement. The early Christian origin of the round tower suggests an early ecclesiastical foundation at Kilkenny.<ref name="Graves 1857 25">{{Harvnb|Graves|1857|p=25}}</ref>

{{cquote| Ceall-Cainnigh was for the most part burned. |20px|20px| [[Annals of the Four Masters|Four Masters]], ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]'', 1085.<ref name="Masters">{{Harvnb|Masters1085}}, [[Annals of the Four Masters]] [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005B/index.html vol. ii] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112181100/http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005B/index.html |date=12 January 2011 }}, [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text019.html p. 923] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415063635/http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text019.html |date=15 April 2014 }} from [[Irish language|Irish]]:</ref>}}

The ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]'' recorded Kilkenny in 1085.<ref name="Graves">{{Harvnb|Graves|1857|p=23}}</ref> Prior to this time the early 6th-century territory was known as ''Osraighe,'' referring to the whole district or the capital. The [[Annals of the Four Masters|Four Masters]] entry was the first instance where the capital was called ''Ceall-Cainnigh'' (modernised Kilkenny).<ref name="egan1884">{{Harvnb|Egan|1884}}</ref> Cill Chainnigh was a major monastic centre from at least the eighth century. There is no mention of ''Cill Chainnigh'' in the lives of [[Cainnech of Aghaboe]], [[Ciarán of Saighir]] or any of the early [[Irish annals|annals of Ireland]] suggesting that Cill Chainnigh was not of ancient civil importance.<ref name="Graves"/>

==History==
{{Main|History of Kilkenny}}
{{See also|History of Ireland|History of Europe}}

[[File:St. Canice's Cathedral - Interior - 2024-03-22 04.jpg|thumb|left|Model of Kilkenny in 1642]]

Kilkenny's foundation began with an early 6th-century ecclesiastical settlement, with a church built in honour of [[St. Canice]]. Now [[St. Canice's Cathedral]], this was a major monastic centre from at least the 8th century. The ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]'' recorded the first reference ''Cill Chainnigh'' in 1085. Prehistoric activity has been recorded, suggesting intermittent settlement activity in the area in the [[Mesolithic]] and [[Bronze Age]]. Information on the history of Kilkenny can be found in newspapers, photographs, letters, drawings, manuscripts and archaeology. Kilkenny is documented in manuscripts from the 13th century onwards and one of the most important of these is ''Liber Primus Kilkenniensis''.

The [[Kingdom of Osraige|Kings of Ossory]], O'Carrolls and Fitzpatricks, had residence around Cill Chainnigh. The seat of the diocese of [[Kingdom of Osraige]] was moved from [[Aghaboe]] to Cill Chainnigh. Following the [[Norman invasion of Ireland]], [[Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|Richard Strongbow]], as [[Lordship of Ireland|Lord of Leinster]], established a castle near modern-day [[Kilkenny Castle]]. [[William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke|William Marshall]] began the development of the town of Kilkenny and a series of walls to protect the burghers. By the late 13th century, Kilkenny was under [[Hiberno-Norman|Norman-Irish]] control. The original ecclesiastical centre at St. Canice's Cathedral became known as [[Irishtown, Kilkenny|Irishtown]] and the Anglo-Norman borough inside the wall came to be known as Hightown.

Kilkenny was the site of Ireland's earliest recorded witch trial. Occurring in 1324 and instigated by the [[Bishop of Ossory]], [[Richard de Ledrede]], the trial involved Dame [[Alice Kyteler|Alice de Kyteler]] and her servant [[Petronilla de Meath|Petronella de Meath]].<ref>Wright, Thomas, ed. A Contemporary Narrative of the Proceedings Against Dame Alice Kyteler, Prosecuted for Sorcery in 1324, by Richard de Ledrede, Bishop of Ossory. London: The Camden Society, 1843.</ref> Petronella would be the first person recorded in Ireland to be burned alive at the stake for witchcraft, after Dame Alice presumably fled the country.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A Contemporary Narrative of the Proceedings Against Dame Alice Kyteler, Prosecuted for Sorcery in 1324.|last=De Ledrede|first=Richard|publisher=John Bowyer Nichols and Son|year=1842|location=Parliament Street, London}}</ref> This trial was also one of the earliest recorded witch burnings in Europe and inspires much folklore about the possibility of the ghosts of Alice and Petronella haunting downtown Kilkenny. Alice's house, Kyteler's Inn, still stands and is now a pub.

[[File:Small Kilkenny city map circa 1780 (2006-06-17).png|thumb|right|Old city map, c. 1780]]

The [[Hiberno-Norman]] presence in Kilkenny was deeply shaken by the [[Black Death]], which arrived in 1348. The [[Statutes of Kilkenny]] passed at Kilkenny in 1367, aimed to curb the decline of the Hiberno-Norman [[Lordship of Ireland]]. In 1609, [[James I of England|King James I of England]] granted Kilkenny a [[Royal Charter]] giving it the status of a city. Following the [[Irish Rebellion of 1641|Rebellion of 1641]], the [[Irish Catholic Confederation]], also known as the "Confederation of Kilkenny", was based in Kilkenny and lasted until the [[Cromwellian conquest of Ireland]] in 1649. [[James II of England]] spent most of the winter months from November 1689 until January 1690 at Kilkenny, residing in the castle.<ref name="Simms1961">{{Harvnb|Simms|1961}}</ref>

[[Stephens Barracks]], built in the years following the [[Irish Rebellion of 1798|1798 Rebellion]], was completed between 1800 and 1803.<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/24EBEF0E6CA7F1A68025776F00359074?OpenDocument|title=Minister Kileen visits Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny|date=29 July 2010|publisher=Department of Defence|accessdate=25 November 2014|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213305/http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Release+ID/24EBEF0E6CA7F1A68025776F00359074?OpenDocument|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{multiple image
| align = right
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| width = 
| total_width = 400
| image1 = High Street Kilkenny, early 1900s.jpg 
| image2 = High St, Kilkenny (506859) (29075413126).jpg
| image3 =  
| caption1 = High Street, Kilkenny in the early 1900s
| caption2 = High Street, Kilkenny in 2015
| caption3 = 
| caption_align = center
| footer = 
| footer_align = centre
| alt1 = 
}}
The [[Kilkenny Design Workshops]] were opened in 1965 and in 1967 the [[Marquess of Ormonde]] presented [[Kilkenny Castle]] to the people of Kilkenny. Today, it has a lively cultural scene, with annual events including the [[Kilkenny Arts Week]] Festival in the last two weeks of August, and the [[Cat Laughs]] Comedy Festival at the beginning of June. Kilkenny is also where the [[Irish ale]], [[Smithwick's]], was first brewed.<ref name=SEK>{{cite book |last1=Yenne |first1=Bill |title=Beer: The Ultimate World Tour |date=1 Apr 2014 |publisher=Race Point Publishing |isbn=978-1-937994-41-9 |page=16 |edition=illustrated |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qfjZAwAAQBAJ&q=smithwicks%20was%20first%20brewed&pg=PA16 |access-date=7 July 2015 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409111608/https://books.google.com/books?id=qfjZAwAAQBAJ&q=smithwicks%20was%20first%20brewed&pg=PA16 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kilkenny is referred to as the ''Marble City'', and people from Kilkenny are often referred to as '[[Kilkenny cat|Cats]]'. The seat of the [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossory]] is at [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St. Mary's Cathedral]] and the [[Church of Ireland]] [[Bishop of Ossory|Bishop of Cashel and Ossory]] is at [[St. Canice's Cathedral]].

==Geography==
{{See also|Geography of Ireland|Demographics of the Republic of Ireland{{!}}Demographics of Ireland}}

===Location and topography===
[[File:Map of Kilkenny.png|thumb|Map of Kilkenny]]

Kilkenny is situated in the Nore Valley on both banks of the [[River Nore]], at the centre of [[County Kilkenny]] in the [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] of [[Leinster]] in the south-east of [[Ireland]]. It is {{convert|117|km|mi}} away the capital [[Dublin]] and {{convert|48|km|mi}} north from the nearest city [[Waterford]]. [[Wexford]] is {{convert|80|km|mi}} to the south-east and [[Limerick]] is {{convert|122|km|mi}} to the west. The elevation is {{convert|60|m|ft}} above mean sea level. The area of Kilkenny borough is {{convert|3.74|km2|mi2}}. The first edition of the Ordnance Survey map for Kilkenny was in 1837 and is held by the County Library.

===Climate===
{{See also|Climate of Ireland}}
{{climate chart|Kilkenny
|1.6|8.2|78.3
|1.9|8.6|66.1
|3.2|10.6|67.9
|4.2|12.9|56.4
|6.5|15.7|60.4
|9.3|18.2|61.0
|11.3|20.3|54.6
|11.0|20.2|77.8
|9.1|17.8|69.0
|6.5|14.1|95.3
|3.7|10.8|80.2
|2.4|8.8|90.4
| source=<ref name="KK climate dataA">{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/1981-2010/kilkenny.html|title=30 Year Averages in Kilkenny 1978–2008|publisher=Met Éireann|access-date=13 October 2016|archive-date=12 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912145654/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/1981-2010/kilkenny.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| float=right
| clear=both
}}

The climate of Kilkenny, like the [[climate of Ireland]], is a changeable [[oceanic climate]] with few extremes.  It is defined as a [[temperate]] [[oceanic climate]], or ''Cfb'' on the [[Köppen climate classification]] system. Kilkenny lies in plant {{Nowrap|[[Hardiness zone]] 9}}. At the centre of the county, Kilkenny is in a sheltered location, {{convert|66|km|mi}} inland and is surrounded by hills over {{convert|200|m|ft}}, which ensures that it is not a [[wind]]y location.<ref name="KK climate data2A" /> The highest wind gust of {{Nowrap|77 knots}}, from a south-west direction, was recorded on {{Nowrap|12 January 1974}}.<ref name="KK climate dataB" />

Kilkenny is generally representative of wide river valleys in the region with low temperatures on cloudless nights,<ref name="KK climate dataB">{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/kilkenny.asp|title=Kilkenny (Weather Observing Stations)|publisher=Met Éireann|access-date=2008-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828044351/http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/kilkenny.asp|archive-date=2008-08-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is significant in that it records some of the highest summer and lowest winter temperatures in Ireland. The highest air temperature ever recorded in Ireland was {{convert|33.3|°C|°F}}, at [[Kilkenny Castle]] on {{Nowrap|26 June 1887}}.<ref name="IRE climate data">{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp|title=Temperature in Ireland|publisher=Met Éireann|access-date=4 September 2008|archive-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228220515/http://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Met Éireann]] Kilkenny [[Weather station|Weather Observing Station]], {{Nowrap|2 km}} north-west of the centre of Kilkenny, on the Duningstown Road, opened in {{Nowrap|May 1957}},<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> and observations ceased in {{Nowrap|April 2008}}.<ref name="KK climate data2A">{{cite web|url=http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/about-us|title=About us|publisher=kilkennyweather.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029151429/http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/about-us|archive-date=2009-10-29}}</ref> A climatological station is currently in operation within {{Nowrap|1 km}} of the old site, and as of {{Nowrap|March 2010}}, was providing live weather data to the general public and climate data to [[Met Éireann]].<ref name="KK climate data2A" /> Extremes recorded at the station include the highest air [[temperature]] of {{convert|31.5|°C|°F}} on {{Nowrap|29 June 1976}}, the lowest air temperature of {{convert|-14.1|°C|°F}} on {{Nowrap|2 January 1979}} and the lowest ground temperature of {{convert|-18.1|°C|°F}} on {{Nowrap|12 January 1982}}.<ref name="KK climate dataB" />

The warmest and sunniest month on record in Kilkenny was {{Nowrap|August 1995}} with a total of {{Nowrap|274.9 hours}} [[Sunlight|sunshine]] and very high temperatures throughout.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The maximum daily sunshine was {{Nowrap|16.3 hours}} on {{Nowrap|18 June 1978}}.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The overall trend in temperatures has been on the rise with a marked increase from 1988 onwards.<ref name="KK climate data2B">{{cite web|url=http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/climate-change|title=Climate|publisher=kilkennyweather.com|access-date=21 June 2010|archive-date=10 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110010412/http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/climate-change|url-status=live}}</ref> Annual temperatures are running over {{Nowrap|0.5 degrees}} or {{Nowrap|0.9°F}} above 20th century levels.<ref name="KK climate data2B" />

The maximum daily [[rain]]fall recorded at Kilkenny station was {{convert|66.4|mm|in}} on {{Nowrap|17 July 1983}}.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The late 1950s and early 1960s were wet but rainfall had been steady throughout the century.<ref name="KK climate data2B" /> 2002 was a very wet year and since 2005 annual rainfall has been increasing steadily, with 2009 being the wettest year since records commenced in 1958.<ref name="KK climate data2B" />

{{Weather box <!--Infobox begins-->
|collapsed = y
|metric first= Yes
|single line=  Yes
|location= Kilkenny [[Weather station|Weather Observing Station]] 1978–2007 (''Extremes June 1957 to April 2008'')
<!--Record high temperatures-->
<!--Note that record temperatures should be used sparingly in main city articles, and should only be used when the data period is of the greatest length possible.-->
|Jan record high C = 14.1
|Feb record high C = 15.9
|Mar record high C = 19.2
|Apr record high C = 23.5
|May record high C = 26.0
|Jun record high C = 31.5
|Jul record high C = 31.4
|Aug record high C = 30.8
|Sep record high C = 26.6
|Oct record high C = 23.7
|Nov record high C = 17.5
|Dec record high C = 15.5
|year record high C = 31.5
<!--Average high temperatures-->
|Jan high C = 8.2
|Feb high C = 8.6
|Mar high C = 10.6
|Apr high C = 12.9
|May high C = 15.7
|Jun high C = 18.2
|Jul high C = 20.3
|Aug high C = 20.2
|Sep high C = 17.8
|Oct high C = 14.1
|Nov high C = 10.8
|Dec high C = 8.8
|year high C = 13.8
<!--Mean daily temperature-->
|Jan mean C = 4.9
|Feb mean C = 5.2
|Mar mean C = 6.9
|Apr mean C = 8.5
|May mean C = 11.1
|Jun mean C = 13.8
|Jul mean C = 15.8
|Aug mean C = 15.6
|Sep mean C = 13.4
|Oct mean C = 10.3
|Nov mean C = 7.3
|Dec mean C = 5.6
|year mean C = 9.9
<!--Average low temperatures-->
|Jan low C = 1.6
|Feb low C = 1.9
|Mar low C = 3.2
|Apr low C = 4.2
|May low C = 6.5
|Jun low C = 9.3
|Jul low C = 11.3
|Aug low C = 11.0
|Sep low C = 9.1
|Oct low C = 6.5
|Nov low C = 3.7
|Dec low C = 2.4
|year low C = 5.9
<!--Record low temperatures-->
|Jan record low C = -14.1
|Feb record low C = -11.1
|Mar record low C = -7.9
|Apr record low C = -5.4
|May record low C = -3.7
|Jun record low C = 0.5
|Jul record low C = 2.3
|Aug record low C = 1.2
|Sep record low C = -1.6
|Oct record low C = -4.8
|Nov record low C = -7.0
|Dec record low C = -10.8
|year record low C = -14.1
<!--Rainfall-->
|rain colour = green <!--Enter "green" for green rainfall colors, remove this line for blue coloring.-->
<!--IMPORTANT: use only one unit type!-->
|Jan rain mm = 78.3
|Feb rain mm = 66.1
|Mar rain mm = 67.9
|Apr rain mm = 56.4
|May rain mm = 60.4
|Jun rain mm = 61.0
|Jul rain mm = 54.6
|Aug rain mm = 77.8
|Sep rain mm = 69.0
|Oct rain mm = 95.3
|Nov rain mm = 80.2
|Dec rain mm = 90.4
|year rain mm = 857.4
<!--Average daily % humidity-->
|Jan humidity = 79.5
|Feb humidity = 74.3
|Mar humidity = 69.2
|Apr humidity = 63.6
|May humidity = 63.4
|Jun humidity = 65.9
|Jul humidity = 65.2
|Aug humidity = 65.1
|Sep humidity = 67.5
|Oct humidity = 74.2
|Nov humidity = 78.9
|Dec humidity = 81.8
|year humidity = 70.7
<!--Average number of rainy days-->
|unit rain days = 1 mm
|Jan rain days = 13
|Feb rain days = 12
|Mar rain days = 12
|Apr rain days = 10
|May rain days = 11
|Jun rain days = 10
|Jul rain days = 9
|Aug rain days = 10
|Sep rain days = 10
|Oct rain days = 13
|Nov rain days = 12
|Dec rain days = 13
|year rain days = 
<!--Average number of snowy days-->
|unit snow days= <!--If entering the average number of days, then the unit requirement should be used, because this varies between countries. Eg. 0.1 in, 0.2 cm.-->
|Jan snow days = 3.6
|Feb snow days = 3.6
|Mar snow days = 2.5
|Apr snow days = 0.8
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.1
|Dec snow days = 2.0
|year snow days = 12.8
|Jan sun = 55.8
|Feb sun = 64.4
|Mar sun = 99.2
|Apr sun = 147.0
|May sun = 173.6
|Jun sun = 147.0
|Jul sun = 145.7
|Aug sun = 145.7
|Sep sun = 124.0
|Oct sun = 93.0
|Nov sun = 66.0
|Dec sun = 49.6
|year sun = 1314.0
|Jand sun = 1.8
|Febd sun = 2.3
|Mard sun = 3.2
|Aprd sun = 4.9
|Mayd sun = 5.6
|Jund sun = 4.9
|Juld sun = 4.7
|Augd sun = 4.7
|Sepd sun = 4.0
|Octd sun = 3.0
|Novd sun = 2.2
|Decd sun = 1.6
|yeard sun = 3.6
<!--Mandatory fields, source-->
|source 1= Met Éireann<ref name="KK climate dataA"/><ref name=absmax>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/extreme_maxtemps.pdf
 |title        = Absolute Maximum Air Temperatures for each Month at Selected Stations
 |publisher    = [[Met Éireann]]
 |access-date   = 13 October 2016
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124135/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/extreme_maxtemps.pdf
 |archive-date = 4 March 2016
 |url-status     = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name=absmin>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/extreme-mintemps.pdf
 |title        = Absolute Minimum Air Temperatures for each Month at Selected Stations
 |publisher    = [[Met Éireann]]
 |access-date   = 13 October 2016
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20170129063649/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/extreme-mintemps.pdf
 |archive-date = 29 January 2017
 |url-status     = dead
 |df           = dmy-all
}}</ref>
|date=February 2011}}<!--Infobox ends-->

==Demographics==

===Population===
{{Historical populations|state=collapsed
|1821|23230
|1831|23741
|1841|19071
|1851|15257
|1861|13235
|1871|12710
|1881|12299
|1891|11048
|1901|10609
|1911|19514
|1926|10046
|1936|10237
|1946|10291
|1951|10572
|1956|12328
|1961|12081
|1966|12030
|1971|13306
|1981|16886
|1986|17517
|1991|17669
|1996|18696
|2002|20735
|2006|22179
|2011|24423
|2016|26512
|2022|27184
| footnote=<ref name="Census for post 1821 figures">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/census|title=Census for post 1821 figures.|access-date=20 May 2009|archive-date=20 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920090850/http://cso.ie/census/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.histpop.org/ |title=Histpop&nbsp;– The Online Historical Population Reports Website |access-date=2009-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507023856/http://www.histpop.org/ |archive-date=2016-05-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=NISRA |url=http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |title=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency&nbsp;– Census Home Page |publisher=Nisranew.nisra.gov.uk |access-date=2010-07-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census/ |archive-date=2012-02-17 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lee |first=JJ |author-link =J. J. Lee (historian)|editor-last=Goldstrom |editor-first=J. M. |editor2-last=Clarkson |editor2-first=L. A. |title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell | year=1981 |publisher=Clarendon Press |location=Oxford, England
 |chapter=On the accuracy of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Pre-famine]] Irish censuses}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mokyr |first1 = Joel |last2 = Ó Gráda |first2 = Cormac |title = New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850 |journal=The Economic History Review |volume=37 |issue=4 |pages=473–88 |date=November 1984 |url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract |archive-url = https://archive.today/20121204160709/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2012-12-04 |doi = 10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x|hdl = 10197/1406 |hdl-access = free }}</ref><ref name="sapmap2016">{{cite web | url = http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST2016&Geog_Code=82A1BB79-02A9-47E6-84D0-467FE8C8A31E#SAPMAP_T1_100 | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]] | work = Census 2016 | title = Sapmap Area – Settlements – Kilkenny | date = 2016 | access-date = 12 January 2018 | archive-date = 10 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190810172210/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=ST2016&Geog_Code=82A1BB79-02A9-47E6-84D0-467FE8C8A31E#SAPMAP_T1_100 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="tableF1015census2022"/>}}

The majority of the population of Kilkenny live outside the borough's boundary. The urban centre of Kilkenny, as defined by the census, had a population of 27,184 in 2022.<ref name="cso2022">{{cite web|title=Census 2022 - F1015 Population|work=Central Statistics Office Census 2022 Reports |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office Ireland]] |date=August 2023 |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1015 |access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref>

Changes as of the 2006 census, by the [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]], Kilkenny Town Borough had a population of 8,661 which was an increase of 70 persons over the 2002 figure of 8,591 or 0.8%. The Town Environs had a population of 13,518 which was an increase of 1347 persons over the 2002 figure of 12,144 or 11.3%.<ref>Table 5: Population of Towns ordered by County and size, 2002 and 2006.</ref> Overall both the Borough & Environs had a population of 22,179 in 2006 which was an increase of 1444 persons over the 2002 figure of 20,735 or 7.0%. People from Kilkenny are often referred to as 'Cats'.

Disposable household income per person as of 2005 was €18,032 and the index of disposable household was 89.4.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm|title=Source:County Incomes and Regional GDP 2005, CSO|access-date=2009-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522161020/http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm|archive-date=2009-05-22|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Languages and religions===
Kilkenny is [[Multilingualism|multilingual]] but predominantly [[Hiberno-English|English-speaking]], with [[Irish language|Irish]] being the second most commonly spoken language.<ref>{{Cite web | title =Table 8: Population aged 15 years and over in the labour force, classified by intermediate occupational group and ability to speak Irish | work =Census 2006 – Volume 9 – Irish Language | publisher =CSO | url =http://beyond2020.cso.ie/Census/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=10388 | access-date =2008-11-09 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071120033656/http://beyond2020.cso.ie/Census/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=10388 | archive-date =2007-11-20 | url-status =dead }} (37.6% of workforce (>15 years) classified as "Irish speakers")</ref> In recent decades, with the increase of immigration on an all-Ireland basis, many more languages have been introduced into Kilkenny.

The main religion is Catholicism, however, there are adherents of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist, Jewish and other religious traditions living in Kilkenny.<ref>{{Cite web
| title = Population (Number) by County, Year and Religious Denomination
| publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]]
| url = http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=CNA28&ti=Population+(Number)+by+County,+Year+and+Religious+Denomination&path=../Database/Eirestat/Census%20of%20Population/&lang=1
| access-date = 24 September 2021
| archive-date = 7 June 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607083744/http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=CNA28&ti=Population+%28Number%29+by+County%2C+Year+and+Religious+Denomination&path=..%2FDatabase%2FEirestat%2FCensus%20of%20Population%2F&lang=1
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

==Administration==
[[File:Kilkenny County Hall, 2024-03-22 02.jpg|thumb|[[County Hall, Kilkenny|Kilkenny County Hall]] in 2024]]
[[File:Kilkenny Courthouse 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Kilkenny Courthouse]] in 2018]]
Kilkenny is now administered as part of [[County Kilkenny]]. The [[local electoral area]] of Kilkenny contains the [[electoral division]]s of Dunmore, Kilkenny No. 1 Urban, Kilkenny No. 2 Urban, Kilkenny Rural and St. Canice, and elects 7 of the 24 members of [[Kilkenny County Council]]. This area is defined as the Municipal District of Kilkenny City.<ref>{{cite ISB|year=2018|type=si|num=621|title=County of Kilkenny Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018|date=19 December 2018|website=Irish Statute Book|access-date=11 May 2019|archive-date=3 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203084933/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/621/made/en/print}}</ref> [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local government]] bodies in Kilkenny have responsibility for such matters as planning, roads, sanitation and libraries and are governed by the Local Government Acts 1925 to 2019, the principal Act being the [[Local Government Act 2001]].

Kilkenny's first council was elected in 1231. From the 13th century to the end of the 16th, the chief magistrate was known as the sovereign, and since then as the mayor. It was granted a [[royal charter]] as a city in 1609 by [[James VI and I|James I of England and Ireland]]. This was a [[county corporate]] which included the borough of [[Irishtown, Kilkenny|Irishtown]], which fell within the city. The borough corporation established under the [[Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840]] is a successor to both the corporation established under this charter and of the borough of Irishtown. In 1899, under the [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898]], the area became an [[urban and rural districts (Ireland)|urban district]], but its council retained the style of a borough corporation.<ref>{{cite ISB|name=[[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898]]|section=22|stitle=County districts and district councils|year=1898|number=37|regy=61 & 62 Vict.|parl=uk|date=12 August 1898|access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref> In 2002, under the Local Government Act 2001, Kilkenny Borough Corporation became a borough council.<ref>{{cite ISB|year=2001|number=37|name=[[Local Government Act 2001]]|schedno=6|stitle=Local Government Areas (Towns)|date=21 July 2001|access-date=3 August 2022}}</ref> On 1 June 2014, under the [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]], the borough council was dissolved and administration of the town was amalgamated with Kilkenny County Council.<ref>{{cite ISB|name=[[Local Government Reform Act 2014]]|year=2014|section=24|stitle=Dissolution of town councils and transfer date|number=1|date=27 January 2014|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite ISB|name=Local Government Reform Act 2014 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (No. 3) Order 2014|type=si|year=2014|number=214|signedby=[[Phil Hogan]], [[Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government]]|date=22 May 2014|access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref>

County Kilkenny is part of the [[Southern Region, Ireland|Southern Region]]. It is part of the [[Carlow–Kilkenny (Dáil constituency)|Carlow–Kilkenny]] [[Dáil constituency]] and the [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]] [[European Parliament constituency]].

In the [[Irish House of Commons]], both [[Kilkenny City (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|Kilkenny City]] and the [[bishop's borough]] of [[St Canice (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|St Canice (or Irishtown)]] were represented with two MPs each. From 1801, following the [[Acts of Union 1800]], [[Kilkenny City (UK Parliament constituency)|Kilkenny City]] was represented in the [[United Kingdom House of Commons]] by one MP from 1801 to 1918, and as part of [[North Kilkenny (UK Parliament constituency)|North Kilkenny]] from 1918 to 1922. In 1921, the [[Carlow–Kilkenny (Dáil constituency)|Carlow–Kilkenny]] Dáil constituency was created. This continued until 1937, when there was a separate [[Kilkenny (Dáil constituency)|Kilkenny]] constituency, but from 1948 there has been a continuous constituency of Carlow–Kilkenny.

===City status===
[[File:Kilkenny St. Mary's Church Kilkenny Room Charter of James I 1609 2017 09 11.jpg|thumb|right|Charter of King [[James I of England]] from 1609 which raised Kilkenny to a city with a mayor or mayors{{efn|name=fn1|This mayor or these mayors is/are set "to have a sword carried before him or them within the said city, and the county of the said city, at their will and pleasure, in such manner and form as is used in any other city or cities before any Mayor or Mayors within the said Kingdom of Ireland."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Prim |first1=John G. A. |title=The Corporation Insignia and Olden Civic State of Kilkenny |journal=The Journal of the Royal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland |series=Fourth Series |volume=1 |issue=1 |date=1870 |pages=281–282 |jstor=25506583}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hayes-McCoy |first1=G. A. |title=The Galway Sword and Mace |journal=Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society |volume=29 |issue=1/2 |date=1960 |page=19 |jstor=25550099}}</ref>}}]] While the present-day settlement is administered as a [[municipal district (Ireland)|municipal district]], the appellation "city" is an emotive subject in Kilkenny.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/kilkenny-fears-loss-of-city-status-1.276137|title=Kilkenny fears loss of city status|last=Dooley|first=Chris|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=2019-10-11|archive-date=15 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415021615/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/kilkenny-fears-loss-of-city-status-1.276137|url-status=live}}</ref> Historically, [[city status in the United Kingdom]], and before that in the [[Kingdom of Ireland]], was a ceremonial designation awarded by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|crown]]. It carried more prestige than the alternative municipal titles "[[borough]]" or "[[town]]", but gave no additional legal powers (the qualifying factor was the presence of a [[cathedral]], resulting in some very small cities such as [[Wells, Somerset|Wells]], with a population 12,000 as of 2018 and [[St Davids]], with a population of 1,841 as of 2011). A [[City status in Ireland|city in Irish law]] has special legal meaning with corresponding powers for local government. From a local government perspective, Kilkenny has not been administered as a city since at least 1840. The present-day legal, political and administrative jurisdictions in Ireland are set out in the [[Local Government Act 2001]], as amended by the [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]].

In 2002, under the Local Government Act 2001, the former five [[county borough]]s were redesignated as cities. At the same time, the historic city status of Kilkenny was acknowledged in law. When this legislation was being debated, local [[Teachta Dála|TDs]] [[Phil Hogan]] and [[John McGuinness (politician)|John McGuinness]] successfully lobbied that Kilkenny could continue to be referred to as a "city". Accordingly, a clause was added to the 2001 bill:
{{cquote|the continued use of the description city in relation to Kilkenny, to the extent that that description was used before the establishment day.|20px|20px| [[Local Government Act 2001]]}}

It remains both common and permissible in law to describe Kilkenny as a city; section 10(6) of the 2001 Act, as amended by the 2014 Act, provides that "the continued use of the description city in relation to Kilkenny, to the extent that that description was used before 1 January 2002 and is not otherwise inconsistent with this Act".<ref>{{cite ISB|year=2014|num=1|section=12|title=[[Local Government Reform Act 2014]]|stitle=Local government areas|date=27 January 2014|access-date=11 May 2019|archive-date=26 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726174154/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2014/en/act/pub/0001/sec0012.html}}</ref>

As of 2014, Kilkenny does not have an administration separate from the county. However, under [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]], the municipal district is distinctly acknowledged as "the Municipal District of Kilkenny City".<ref>{{cite ISB|year=2014|num=1|section=19|title=Local Government Reform Act 2014|stitle=Municipal districts|date=27 January 2014|access-date=9 April 2023}}</ref>

==Landmarks==
[[File:The New Parade Kilkenny.JPG|thumb|left|upright|The New Parade, Kilkenny City, leading from the Castle to High Street]]
[[File:Kilkenny Tholsel II 2017 09 11.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[The Tholsel, Kilkenny|The Tholsel]]]]
[[File:Butler House.jpg|thumb|right|[[Butler House, Kilkenny|Butler House]]]]
[[File:Rothe House 2021.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rothe House]] on Parliament Street]]

Kilkenny's architectural heritage is represented through a number of historical buildings and landmarks. Kilkenny is a well-preserved medieval town and is dominated by both [[Kilkenny Castle]] and [[St. Canice's Cathedral]] and round tower.

Surviving examples of the city's medieval architecture include Kilkenny Castle and parts of the Kilkenny City Walls. These walls define the extent, layout and status of the medieval town. The town grew from a monastic settlement to a thriving Norman merchant town in the Middle Ages. St. Canice's Cathedral and round tower are an example of the monastic settlement. [[Rothe House]] on Parliament Street is an example of an Elizabethan merchant townhouse located on the only completely surviving [[burgage plot]] in Ireland. It also features a restored 17th-century garden on an area of half an acre behind the house, complete with herbs, vegetables and an orchard.

The black stone with decorative white fossils that forms the backbone of many of Kilkenny's fine buildings was quarried locally, particularly from the quarry located 1.6&nbsp;km south of the town on the R700.<ref>An exposed rock face can still be seen from the road.</ref> [[Kilkenny marble]] was used for the plinth of the new tomb of [[Richard III of England|Richard III]] in [[Leicester Cathedral]] in England.<ref>Leicester Cathedral website</ref>

Visitor attractions in Kilkenny and its environs include [[Kilkenny Castle]] and Gardens including the [[Butler Gallery]], [[St. Canice's Cathedral]] and round tower, [[Rothe House]] and Garden, [[Shee Alms House]], [[Kilkenny Courthouse]], [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St. Mary's Cathedral]], [[The Tholsel, Kilkenny|The Tholsel]], the [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] [[Black Abbey]], [[Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Kilkenny|St. John's Church]], [[Butler House, Kilkenny|Butler House]], Kilkenny 'Slips' and [[St. Francis Abbey]] Brewery. Gardens include the Castle Rose Garden, Rothe House Garden, the Famine Memorial Garden and the garden of Butler House.

In the county other attractions include [[Kells Priory]], [[Jerpoint Abbey]], [[Dunmore Caves]], [[Woodstock Estate]] and [[Jenkinstown Park]].

Local Kilkenny marble or black marble was used to decorate many of the city's buildings, and Kilkenny referred to the "Marble City" for this reason.<ref>{{cite book | title = Faerie Stones: An Exploration of the Folklore and Faeries Associated with Stones & Crystals | author = Ceri Norman | publisher = John Hunt Publishing | date = 2018 | quote = ''Kilkenny was once known as 'The Marble City' as slabs of Kilkenny Marble were used to line the city streets and in the construction of several local buildings''}}</ref>

===Kilkenny Castle and city walls===
[[File:Kilkenny Castle, 2024-03-22 02.jpg|thumb|[[Kilkenny Castle]]]]
[[File:Black Freren Gate.jpg|thumb|The Black Freren Gate, part of the medieval city walls]]

[[Kilkenny Castle]] in Kilkenny city was the seat of the Butler family. (Formerly the family name was FitzWalter.) The castle was sold to the local Castle Restoration Committee in the middle of the 20th century for [[Irish punt|£]]50. Shortly afterwards it was handed over to the State, and has since been refurbished and is open to visitors. Part of the collection of the National Art Gallery is on display in the castle. There are ornamental gardens on the northwest side of the castle, and extensive land and gardens to the front. It has become one of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland.

The first stone castle was begun in 1204 by [[William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke|William Marshall]] the site was completed in 1213; it was a symbol of Norman occupation and in its original thirteenth-century condition it would have formed an important element of the defences of the town. There were four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, part of which can still be seen today on the Parade. This was a square-shaped castle with towers at each corner; three of these original four towers survive to this day.

''Kilkenny Walls'' protected the medieval town of Kilkenny.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/Irish_Walled_Towns/Med_KK_Walls.pdf|title=Medieval walls of Kilkenny City|website=Heritagecouncil.ie|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804142318/http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/Irish_Walled_Towns/Med_KK_Walls.pdf|archive-date=2012-08-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> The town was surrounded by walls with regular towers and gates. Remnants of the Town Walls survive such as Talbot Tower (1207), which is also known as Talbot's Bastion or Castle. It is the larger of the two surviving towers of the defences of the medieval High town of Kilkenny. There are walls on Abbey Street, and the adjoining Black Freren Gate is the only surviving gate/access remaining on the High town Circuit into the old city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kilkennycity.ie/eng/Services/Heritage/City_Walls_Project/|title=City Walls Project|website=Kilkennycity.ie|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924093425/http://www.kilkennycity.ie/eng/Services/Heritage/City_Walls_Project/|url-status=live}}</ref> A wall also runs through the brewery's grounds beside [[St. Francis Abbey]].

The Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan is a plan by the inhabitants of Kilkenny, Kilkenny Borough Council, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, An Taisce, The Kilkenny Archaeological Society and The Heritage Council to ensure the long-term survival of the city's walls.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kilkennycity.ie/resources/eng/Services/Heritage/Kilkenny%20City%20Walls%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf|title=Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan|website=Kilkennycity.ie|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125024152/http://www.kilkennycity.ie/resources/eng/Services/Heritage/Kilkenny%20City%20Walls%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf|archive-date=25 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===St. Canice's Cathedral and tower===
{{Main|St Canice's Cathedral}}
[[File:Kilkenny St Canice Cathedral SW 2007 08 28.jpg|thumb|right|[[St. Canice's Cathedral]]]]

[[St Canice's Cathedral]], also known as Kilkenny Cathedral, present building dates from the 13th century and is the second longest cathedral in Ireland. The cathedral is named after Saint Canice, who also gave his name to the town.<ref name="Cathedra">[http://www.genuki.org.uk:8080/big/irl/KIK/StCanice/cathedra.html Cathedral of St. Canice] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140416020742/http://www.genuki.org.uk:8080/big/irl/KIK/StCanice/cathedra.html |date=2014-04-16 }}, extract from ''A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland'' (1837)</ref>

[[Cruciform]], the cathedral was built in the [[English Gothic architecture|Early English]], or English Gothic, style of [[architecture]], of [[limestone]], with a low central tower supported on black marble columns. The exterior walls, apart from the gables, are [[Battlement|embattled]], and there are two small [[spire]]s at the west end. The cathedral is seventy-five yards long, and its width along the transepts is forty-one yards.

Beside the cathedral stands a 100&nbsp;ft 9th century round tower. St. Canice's tower is an excellent example of a well-preserved early Christian (9th century) [[Irish round tower|Round Tower]]. Accessible only by a steep set of internal ladders, it may once have been both a watchtower and a refuge, and the summit gives a good view of Kilkenny and the countryside around. The hill on which the cathedral stands is believed to be the centre of the first major settlement at Kilkenny, and the round tower suggests an early ecclesiastical foundation.<ref name="Graves 1857 25"/>

[[Dominican Order|Dominican]] [[Black Abbey]] was founded in 1225, and lying just off Parliament Street.

===Bridges===
{{further|Green's Bridge}}
[[File:Canal Square Kilkenny.JPG|thumb|left|The New Canal Square]]

Kilkenny has four main bridges — [[Green's Bridge]], John's Bridge, the Ossory Bridge and the St Francis Bridge — and two pedestrian/cycle bridges — the [[Ellen Cuffe, Countess of Desart|Lady Desart]] Bridge and the Ossory Pedestrian Bridge. Each of the bridges spans the [[River Nore]].

Green's Bridge, also known as the 'Great Bridge of Kilkenny', crosses the River Nore in St. Canices Parish in the townland of Gardens, and is an important element of the architectural heritage of Kilkenny City.<ref name="niahgreens">{{cite web | url = http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=KK&regno=12004007 | title = Green's Bridge, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny | publisher = National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) | website = buildingsofireland.ie | access-date = 4 September 2019 | archive-date = 5 December 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003533/http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=KK&regno=12004007 | url-status = live }}</ref> First built before 1200, the bridge has been rebuilt several times since the twelfth century due to flooding, including the great floods of 1487 and 1763. The present-day bridge was built in 1766 after the 'Great Flood of 1763'. It was built by William Colles (c. 1710–70) to designs prepared by George Smith (1763–67), a pupil of [[George Semple]] (c. 1700–82).<ref name="niahgreens"/>

John's Bridge connects John Street to Rose Inn Street in Kilkenny City. It was first built after 1200, and has been called 'John's Bridge' since the Middle Ages. It has also been rebuilt many times since the twelfth century due to flooding. During the flood of 1763, people gathered on John's Bridge after Green's Bridge collapsed. John's Bridge also collapsed, and sixteen people died. The present-day John's Bridge was completed in 1910 and spans {{convert|140|ft|m|abbr=on}} across the River Nore. It was reputedly, at the time it was completed, the longest single-span reinforced bridge in Ireland or Britain. The design was by Mouchel & Partners using the Hennebique system of reinforcement. The arch consists of three ribs, tapering from {{convert|2|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} to {{convert|2|ft|m|abbr=on}} deep. The traverse deck beams are each {{convert|2|ft|m|abbr=on}} deep.

The Ossory Bridge, linking the ring road, was completed in 1984 and features an inlaid sculpture. St Francis Bridge was opened in May 2017,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/251334/st-francis-bridge-in-kilkenny-officially-opened.html|title=St Francis Bridge in Kilkenny officially opened|work=[[Kilkenny People]]|first=Brian|last=Keyes|date=23 May 2017|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615105121/https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/251334/st-francis-bridge-in-kilkenny-officially-opened.html|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> and forms part of the [[Kilkenny Central Access Scheme]]. The scheme and the proposed building of the new bridge was the subject of some debate and protest in Kilkenny in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/kilkenny-central-access-scheme-noteworthy-4925141-Dec2019/|title=A bridge too far? The inside story of the road scheme that divided a city|work=[[TheJournal.ie]]|first1=Maria|last1=Delaney|first2=Ken|last2=Foxe|date=16 December 2019|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615105121/https://www.thejournal.ie/kilkenny-central-access-scheme-noteworthy-4925141-Dec2019/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lady Desart Bridge and Ossory Pedestrian bridge are the city's two pedestrian/cycle bridges. Lady Desart Bridge was opened in January 2014 and links John's Quay and Bateman Quay and is located between John's Bridge and Green's Bridge. The Ossory Pedestrian bridge, located underneath the main Ossory bridge, links the Canal Walk on one side of the River Nore to the Lacken Walk on the other side.

===Old Woollen Mills===
The Old Woollen Mills was built in the 1800s and is located on the north side of the city, on Bleach Road. It was one of the largest employers in the area; the site covers {{convert|90000|sqft|m2}} and has more than a mile of river frontage onto the Nore.<ref name="salvage"/> Among its many features is a freestanding red brick chimney, erected in 1905.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12308004/greenvale-woollen-mills-kilkenny-bleach-mills-bleach-road-bleachgreen-kilkenny-county-kilkenny|title=Greenvale Woollen Mills (Kilkenny Bleach Mills), Bleach Road, Bleachgreen, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny|publisher=[[National Inventory of Architectural Heritage]]|website=buildings.ie|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615115559/https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12308004/greenvale-woollen-mills-kilkenny-bleach-mills-bleach-road-bleachgreen-kilkenny-county-kilkenny|url-status=live}}</ref> An architectural salvage and antique yard, Kilkenny Architectural Salvage, is currently located on the site.<ref name="salvage">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosalve.com/about-us/|title=About Kilkenny Architectural Salvage & Antiques|website=eurosalve.com|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615121101/https://www.eurosalve.com/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{See also|Culture of Ireland|Irish people}}
[[File:St. Marys Cathedral in Kilkenny.jpg|upright|thumb|[[St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny]]]]
[[File:Old Stables, Kilkenny Castle, Cill Chainnigh, Éire (46594981591).jpg|thumb|upright|Kilkenny Design Centre]]

Kilkenny is a popular tourist destination in the [[South-East Region, Ireland|South-East Region]] of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Tourism Ireland, tourism statistics |url=https://www.tourismireland.com/docs/default-source/visitor-facts-and-figures/visitor-facts-and-figures-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=d5913554_1 |url-status=live |website=tourismireland.com |publisher=Tourism Ireland |accessdate=20 January 2023 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030634/https://www.tourismireland.com/docs/default-source/visitor-facts-and-figures/visitor-facts-and-figures-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=d5913554_1 }}</ref> Its art galleries, historic buildings, craft and design workshops, theatre, comedy, public gardens and museums are some of the main reasons Kilkenny has become one of Ireland's most visited towns and a base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

Points of cultural interest in the area include [[Kilkenny Castle]], [[St. Canice's Cathedral]] and round tower, [[Rothe House]], [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St. Mary's Cathedral]], [[Kells Priory]], [[The Tholsel, Kilkenny|Kilkenny Town Hall]], [[Black Abbey]] and [[Butler Gallery]]. The latter re-opened in August 2020, having moved to a new location in Evan's Home from the former basement kitchen of Kilkenny Castle.<ref name="rte2020">{{cite web | url = https://www.rte.ie/culture/2020/0810/1158383-in-the-picture-kilkennys-new-art-gallery/ | publisher = RTÉ | website = rte.ie | title = In The Picture: Kilkenny's new art gallery | date = 17 August 2020 | accessdate = 24 June 2021 | archive-date = 24 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211403/https://www.rte.ie/culture/2020/0810/1158383-in-the-picture-kilkennys-new-art-gallery/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Arts and festivals===
Kilkenny is a festival location throughout the year.

Kilkenny Tradfest takes place over the St. Patrick's Day weekend in March and includes the St. Patrick's Day festivities, the parade and the Tradfest music festival, which highlights Irish traditional and folk music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kilkennytradfest.com/|title=Home – Kilkenny Tradfest|website=Kilkenny Tradfest|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914154106/http://kilkennytradfest.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Kilkenny Roots Festival is held on the first weekend of May and features Americana/Bluegrass/Folk/Rockabilly/AltCountry artists in various indoor venues throughout the city. Since 1998 the festival has attracted musicians from the Americana/Roots genre, including [[Calexico (band)|Calexico]], [[Giant Sand]], [[Ryan Adams]], [[Alejandro Escovedo]], [[Guy Clark]], [[Chuck Prophet]], [[Ray LaMontagne]], [[Richmond Fontaine]], [[Rodney Crowell]], [[Phosphorescent (band)|Phosphorescent]], [[Sturgill Simpson]] and [[Alabama Shakes]].<ref name="kilkennyroots.com"/>

Kilkenny hosts the annual [[Cat Laughs]] comedy festival every June bank holiday week.

The [[Kilkenny Arts Festival]] established in the 1970s takes place in late August. During this time Kilkenny plays host to contemporary art, with theatre, dance, visual art, literature, film, painting, sculptures and live performances. Musical events, including traditional, classical, world music and jazz, take place during the festival.

Savour Kilkenny is a food festival which happens in October every year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savourkilkenny.com/|title=Savour Kilkenny – Festival of Food – October Bank Holiday Weekend 2017|website=Savourkilkenny.com|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913184137/http://www.savourkilkenny.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November, Kilkenny stages Kilkenomics, the world's first economics and comedy festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kilkenomics.com/|title=Kilkenomics – The World's First Economics & Comedy Festival|website=kilkenomics.com|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707004648/https://kilkenomics.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Venues such as the Watergate Theatre host a range of home-produced and touring performances in dance, music and theatre.

===Music===
{{See also|Music of Ireland}}
Music groups from the Kilkenny area include [[Folk music of Ireland|traditional musicians]] as well as bands like [[Kerbdog]], [[Engine Alley]] and [[My Little Funhouse]].{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} Other groups include [[R.S.A.G.]], whose double album ''Organic Sampler'' received a [[Irish Album of the Year 2008|Choice Music Prize]] nomination for Irish Album of the Year 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.choicemusicprize.ie/portfolio-item/2008/|title=2008 – Choice Music Prize|publisher=[[Choice Music Prize]]|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803082145/http://www.choicemusicprize.ie/portfolio-item/2008/|url-status=live}}</ref> Some pubs have [[Irish traditional music session]]s. The Kilkenny Roots Festival takes place each May Bank Holiday weekend.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kilkennyroots.com|title=Official Rhythm & Roots Website|website=Kilkennyroots.com|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=16 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916035353/http://kilkennyroots.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kilkenny is mentioned in several songs, including in "When You Danced With Me" on [[ABBA]]'s 2021 album ''[[Voyage (ABBA album)|Voyage]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.newstalk.com/news/abba-and-kilkenny-tom-dunne-on-their-new-album-1273802 | website = newstalk.com | title = Tom Dunne on ABBA's "tour de force" Voyage to Kilkenny | date = 5 November 2021 | accessdate = 13 March 2022 | archive-date = 5 November 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211105221238/https://www.newstalk.com/news/abba-and-kilkenny-tom-dunne-on-their-new-album-1273802 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The [[Kilkenny Arts Festival]] is held every August. A concert, 'Source', is held in [[Nowlan Park]] and has attracted musical performers such as [[Rod Stewart]], [[Shania Twain]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Paul Simon]] and [[Andrea Bocelli]]. [[Dolly Parton]] headlined at the 2008 event. [[Bruce Springsteen]] played 2 consecutive nights in July 2013 to finish the European leg of his World tour.

[[St Canice's Cathedral]] sometimes hosts classical musicians and choirs. The Kilkenny Choir and a gospel choir have performed in churches throughout the town. Groups like [[Ex Cathedra]] have played during the Kilkenny Arts Festival. Cleere's pub and theatre on Parliament Street are known for touring Irish and international bands including indie, jazz and blues. They also have a traditional music session every Monday night, as does Ryan's on Friary Street on Thursdays.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

===Theatre===
{{See also|Irish theatre}}
Kilkenny had a tradition of dramatic performance going back to 1366 when the Dublin company set up in Kilkenny. Henry Burkhead printed a play in Kilkenny, ''Cola's Fury, or Lirenda's Misery'' (1645),  dealing with events of the Irish [[Rebellion of 1641]] from an English standpoint. It was a blatantly political work with the Lirenda of the title being an anagram of Ireland. In 1642, as a result of the [[English Civil War]], Dublin [[Cavalier|Royalist]]s were forced to flee the city. Many of them went to Kilkenny to join a [[Kilkenny Confederacy|confederacy]] of Old English and Irish that formed in that city.

In 1802 Sir Richard and Sir John Power of Kilfane established the Kilkenny Private Theatre.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/privatetheatrek00theagoog |title=The private theatre of Kilkenny |via=[[Internet Archive]] |year=1825 |access-date=2010-08-12}}</ref>

The Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny is a centre for the performing and visual arts.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.watergatetheatre.com/ |title=Watergate Theatre official website |publisher=Watergatetheatre.com |date=2010-02-13 |access-date=2010-08-12 |archive-date=14 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414125604/http://www.watergatetheatre.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It provides a varied programme of professional and amateur dramatics, classical and contemporary music, opera and dance, together with exhibitions of paintings and photographs. The Set Theatre is a smaller theatre located on John Street in Kilkenny.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://set.ie/|title=Set|website=set.ie|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615113251/https://set.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Film===
Award-winning animated studio [[Cartoon Saloon]], as well as the film production companies [[Young Irish Film Makers]] and Mycrofilms, are all based in Kilkenny.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/221058/the-inaugural-kilkenny-film-festival-will-be-here-in-december.html | publisher = Kilkenny People | website = kilkennypeople.ie | title = The inaugural Kilkenny Film Festival will be here in December | date = 24 October 2016 | access-date = 4 September 2019 | quote = ''Local studio Young Irish Film Makers have been {{sic|hide=y|been}} a key component of film production and training locally [..and..] Cartoon Saloon have gone from the small screen to Hollywood'' | archive-date = 4 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190904104931/https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/221058/the-inaugural-kilkenny-film-festival-will-be-here-in-december.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Kilkenny has also hosted the Subtitle European Film Festival each November since 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4287792&tpl=archnews&force=1 | publisher = The Irish Film & Television Network | website = iftn.ie | title = Programme for Subtitle European Film Festival, Kilkenny running November 24th–30th | date = 24 November 2014 | access-date = 4 September 2019 | archive-date = 2 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200802212656/http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4287792&tpl=archnews&force=1 | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Media===
====Radio====
[[KCLR 96FM|KCLR]] radio station serves counties [[County Carlow|Carlow]] and [[County Kilkenny|Kilkenny]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kclr96fm.com/|title=KCLR 96FM Official Website|website=Kclr96fm.com|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920113229/http://kclr96fm.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is based at both the Broadcast Centre on the Carlow Road, Kilkenny and Exchequer House, Potato Market, Carlow. [[KCLR 96FM|KCLR]] is available on 96FM and is an independent local [[radio station]]. As of 2009, KCLR had 60% weekly reach and 33% weekday share.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bci.ie/documents/jnlr_july08_jun09.pdf|title=BCI&nbsp;– JNRL Figures for July 08 – June 09|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014222627/http://www.bci.ie/documents/jnlr_july08_jun09.pdf|archive-date=2009-10-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[KCLR 96FM]] began broadcasting in May 2004 replacing Radio Kilkenny.

Radio Kilkenny, which began as a pirate station Kilkenny Community Radio,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radiokilkenny.ie/|title=Radio Kilkenny Website|website=Radiokilkenny.ie|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019225450/http://www.radiokilkenny.ie/|archive-date=2012-10-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> received a licensed to broadcast to Kilkenny city and county on 96.0&nbsp;MHz,96.6&nbsp;MHz and 106.3&nbsp;MHz in 1988. Radio Kilkenny had 63% of the radio listeners in County Kilkenny and 16% in County Carlow but failed to secure a franchise in 2003 when the [[Broadcasting Commission of Ireland]] changed the station's franchise area to include Carlow. The station ceased broadcasting at 2:10&nbsp;a.m. on 1 January 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=MAJ20040225.xml&Ex=All&Page=2|title=Parliamentary Debates|first=Fujitsu/Oireachtas Lotus Notes/Domino Development|last=Team|website=Debates.oireachtas.ie|access-date=23 September 2017}}</ref>

[[Beat 102-103]] is a regional youth radio station broadcasting across the South East of Ireland. It serves a population of about 450,000, and in August 2006 it had a 49% share of the southeast market.

====Print media====
{{See also|List of newspapers in Ireland}}
[[File:Finn's Leinster Journal 1794.jpg|thumb|upright|''[[Finns Leinster Journal]]'']]

Newspapers have been produced in Kilkenny for centuries. Longstanding examples include ''[[Finns Leinster Journal]]'' (later the ''[[Kilkenny Journal]]'') from 1767 to 1965, the ''[[Kilkenny People]]'' from 1916 to 1992, and the ''Kilkenny Moderator'' from 1814 to 1916.<ref>Many are held in the [[Kilkenny Archaeological Society]] Library at [[Rothe House]], others are available to view on microfiche at Kilkenny County Library</ref> Other papers included the ''Leinster Independent'' from 1872; the ''Kilkenny Chronicle'' from 1813; the ''Kilkenny Courier''; ''Tipperary Examiner'' from 1858; the ''Kilkenny Express'' and the ''Wexford Express'' from 1875; ''The Post'' (a sister paper to ''Kilkenny People'') from 1926; the ''Kilkenny Standard'' from 1979, the ''Kilkenny People'' in 1895, ''[[The Kilkenny Voice]]'' (2005–2008) and also the ''Kilkenny Advertiser''.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

''[[Finns Leinster Journal|Finn's Leinster Journal]]'' (1767–1801) was founded by Edmund Finn in 1767. It was published in Kilkenny but some content was relevant to Carlow. It was continued as ''[[Leinster Journal]]'' (1801–1830) and the ''Kilkenny Journal'' from 1832.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/finns-leinster-journal-newspaper-archive-historic-newspaper | publisher = irishnewsarchive.com | title = The Finn's Leinster Journal Newspaper Archive 1771 – 1828 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181025140227/https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/finns-leinster-journal-newspaper-archive-historic-newspaper | archive-date = 25 October 2018 }}</ref>

The ''Moderator'' (1814–1822) changed its name to ''Kilkenny Moderator'' 1822–1919 and reverted to ''Moderator'' from 1920 to 1925.

The modern ''Kilkenny People'' was first published in 1895. It is a weekly paper. According to the [[Audit Bureau of Circulations (UK)|Audit Bureau of Circulations]], the ''Kilkenny People'' had an average weekly [[Newspaper circulation|circulation]] of 17,578 for the first six months of 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc-ireland.ie/|title=Home – ABC – Audit Bureau of Circulations|website=Abc-ireland.ie|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=19 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119030804/http://www.abc-ireland.ie/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is printed by the ''Kilkenny People Group'' at Purcellsinch and the group also publishes a number of other regional papers.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kilkenny.ie/eng/About_Kilkenny/People/Media/ | publisher = Kilkenny.ie | title = About Kilkenny – Media – Newspapers | access-date = 25 October 2018 | archive-date = 12 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181012210700/http://www.kilkenny.ie/eng/About_Kilkenny/People/Media/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

====Photography====
Photographic Collections of Kilkenny include the ''Lawrence Collection'' c. 1900, the ''Crawford Collection'' c. 1940, the ''Valentine Collection'' c. 1950, the ''Bolton Street Students' Survey'' c. 1970, the ''Industrial Archaeologica Survey'' c. 1989, the ''Carrigan Collection'' and the ''St. John's Parish Collection'', as well as many historical postcards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kilkennylibrary.kilkenny.ie/eng/Local_Studies/Local_Studies_.html|title=kilkenny library Local Studies&nbsp;– Photographic Collection|website=Kilkennylibrary.kilkenny.ie|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917190842/http://kilkennylibrary.kilkenny.ie/eng/Local_Studies/Local_Studies_.html|archive-date=2009-09-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{wide image|Kilkenny_city_panorama_2006-01-29.jpg|800px|Panorama of Kilkenny}}

===Community===
====Awards====
Kilkenny was named as the Academy of Urbanism European Great Town for 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/awards.htm |title=Academy of Urbanism |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119212642/http://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/awards.htm |archive-date=2008-01-19 }}</ref> The Academy Chairman, John Thompson, said: "it is great to have an Irish town coming through in this year's awards, especially Kilkenny which is coming to terms with economic growth without losing its wonderful character and humour". Kilkenny won the [[Irish Tidy Towns Competition]] in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tidytowns.ie/u_documents/The_Tidy_Towns_of_Ireland.pdf|title=Irish Tidy Towns Competition| url-status=dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160419221202/http://tidytowns.ie/u_documents/The_Tidy_Towns_of_Ireland.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-19}}</ref>

====Twinned cities====
Kilkenny is twinned with [[Moret-sur-Loing]] in France,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ville-moret-sur-loing.com/la-mairie/liens-divers.html|title=Liens – Site de la ville de Moret-sur-loing|first=Mairie de Moret-sur-loing – O.|last=Suty|website=Ville-moret-sur-loing.com|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421202357/http://www.ville-moret-sur-loing.com/la-mairie/liens-divers.html|archive-date=21 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Formigine]] in [[Italy]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-news/281925/date-confirmed-for-kilkenny-s-official-twinning-with-italian-town.html|title=Date confirmed for Kilkenny's official twinning with Italian town|work=[[Kilkenny People]]|first=Sam|last=Matthews|date=15 November 2017|access-date=15 June 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615110146/https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-news/281925/date-confirmed-for-kilkenny-s-official-twinning-with-italian-town.html|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> and [[Kilkenny, Minnesota|a town with the same name]] in [[Minnesota]] in the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-20 |title=Mayor signs twinning deal with Kilkenny, USA |url=https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-news/192210/Mayor-signs-twinning-deal-with-Kilkenny.html |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=www.kilkennypeople.ie |language=en}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Education===
{{See also|Education in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:George Berkeley by John Smibert.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[George Berkeley]] who attended [[Kilkenny College]]]]

Kilkenny is the home of many noted secondary schools, including the Church of Ireland [[Kilkenny College]], founded in 1538. This is one of the oldest schools in the country, and its past pupils include [[Jonathan Swift]] and [[George Berkeley]].

''A quote from an article "The Berkeley Pavilion" by Patsy Dempsey&nbsp;– Bishop George Berkeley (1685–1753) was one of the great philosophers of his time. He was born near Kilkenny and lived in Dysart Castle, Thomastown. Berkeley studied at Kilkenny College (now [[County Hall, Kilkenny|County Hall]]) from 1696–1700, where Jonathan Swift was a predecessor.''
[[File:StKierans2006-07-10.jpg|thumb|[[St Kieran's College]] Kilkenny]]

[[St. Kieran's College]] was founded in 1782 and was the first Roman Catholic secondary school in Ireland. It was created after [[Grattan's Parliament]] which permitted some relaxation of the [[Penal Laws against Irish Catholics|Penal Laws]] in the country. [[St. Patrick's Industrial School, Kilkenny]] was founded in 1879, and closed in 1966. There are a number of other second-level schools, including [[Loreto Secondary School Kilkenny, Kilkenny|Loreto Secondary School]], [[CBS Kilkenny]], Coláiste Pobail Osraí, Presentation College and the Kilkenny City Vocational School. Other schools located in the rural areas of the county are Castlecomer Community School, Colaiste Mhuire Johnstown, Scoil Airigeal Ballyhale, St. Brigid's Callan, Grennan College Thomastown and Callan CBS. These also are noted for their focus on the games of hurling and camogie. Gaelscoil Osrai an Irish school in Kilkenny, is the 2nd largest Irish-only school in Ireland with around 450 from Junior Infants to 6th Class.

[[Maynooth University]] maintained a campus at the grounds of St. Kieran's College from September 1997 until June 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/kilkennycampus | publisher = Maynooth University | website = maynoothuniversity.ie | title = Kilkenny Campus | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181129001654/https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/kilkennycampus | archive-date = 2018-11-29 | access-date = 2018-11-28 | url-status = live }}</ref>  The university offered the first year of full-time arts degrees in Kilkenny, with students attending second and third year courses on the main campus in Maynooth.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kilkenny.ie/kids_life_directory/courses/kilkenny_campus | publisher = Kilkenny County Council | website = kilkenny.ie | title = Maynooth University Kilkenny Campus | date = 8 August 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171126224204/http://www.kilkenny.ie/kids_life_directory/courses/kilkenny_campus | archive-date = 2017-11-26 | access-date = 2018-11-28 | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Roads===
The [[National primary road|national primary routes]] serving Kilkenny include the [[N10 road (Ireland)|N10]] (connecting to the [[M9 motorway (Ireland)|M9 motorway]] Dublin/Carlow/Waterford route), the [[N77 road (Ireland)|N77]] (connecting to Portlaoise and the [[M7 motorway (Ireland)|M7 motorway]]), and [[N76 road (Ireland)|N76]] (connecting to [[Clonmel]]).

===Railway===
{{See also|Rail transport in Ireland}}
[[File:Kilkenny Railway Station, 2024-03-22 01.jpg|thumb|[[Kilkenny railway station]]]]

[[Kilkenny railway station]] opened on 12 May 1848.<ref>{{cite book| first=R.V.J.| last=Butt| title=The Directory of Railway Stations| publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd| year=1995| isbn=1-85260-508-1|pages =132}}</ref> 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 Station in 1966 after the Irish nationalist, poet and playwright [[Thomas MacDonagh]]. Kilkenny is a stop on [[Iarnród Éireann]]'s [[Inter-city rail|Intercity]] route between Dublin and Waterford.

From Kilkenny station trains run on the [[Dublin–Waterford railway line]], providing connections in [[Waterford railway station|Waterford]] to [[Clonmel railway station|Clonmel]] and stations to [[Limerick Junction]]. At [[Kildare railway station|Kildare]] connecting trains provide links to [[Ballina railway station|Ballina]], [[Westport railway station, Mayo|Westport]], [[Galway railway station|Galway]], [[Ennis railway station|Ennis]], [[Ballybrophy railway station|Ballybrophy]], [[Nenagh railway station|Nenagh]], [[Limerick railway station|Limerick]], [[Killarney railway station|Killarney]], [[Tralee railway station|Tralee]] and [[Cork railway station|Cork]].

===Air===
[[Kilkenny Airport]] is only used for private flying. The nearest airports with scheduled services are [[Dublin Airport]] and [[Cork Airport]], which are both in the region of 150&nbsp;km away.

===Industry===
[[File:Kilkenny St. Canice's Cathedral Round Tower View to Kilkenny 10.jpg|thumb|View of Kilkenny from [[St. Canice's Cathedral]] to [[St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St. Mary's Cathedral]]]]
[[File:Guinness & Co. - Kilkenny Irish Red, 2019.jpg|thumb|A sign for [[Kilkenny (beer)|Kilkenny]] [[Irish red ale]] in [[Germany]]]]

The city has a history of [[brewing]] and was home to [[Smithwick's|St. Francis Abbey Brewery]] which was founded in the early 18th century by Messrs Cole and Smithwick. The Guinness Ireland Group owned this brewery since the 1960s. At the beginning of the 21st century, Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan plc to form [[Diageo]], the world's largest alcoholic beverage business, and the brewery became part of Diageo Global Supply. In its final years, [[Smithwick's Ale]] formed only a small percentage of production there. Another product was [[Kilkenny (beer)|Kilkenny ale]], a close relation of Smithwick's ale. Some 80% of the beer produced at the brewery was [[Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser]], a brand not owned by Diageo, but produced under licence. [[Diageo]] announced in May 2008 the closure of St. Francis Abbey Brewery, which took place on 31 December 2013. Production was then moved to St. James's Gate Brewery, Dublin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.diageo.com/en-row/NewsAndMedia/PressReleases/2008/Diageo+unveils+%E2%82%AC650&nbsp;m+brewing+investment+for+Ireland|title=Diageo Press Release|website=Diaego.com|access-date=23 September 2017}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

====Cooperatives====
Kilkenny is also home to the head offices of [[Glanbia]], one of the world's top dairy companies. Glanbia was formed by the [[Mergers and acquisitions|merger]] of two dairy businesses: [[Avonmore (Cooperative)|Avonmore]] and Waterford Foods and has interests in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and more than 30 other countries.

County Kilkenny Village Creameries amalgamated to create the [[Avonmore (Cooperative)|Avonmore]] Creameries brand in 1966. That coop became Avonmore Food plc in 1988 and joined with Waterford Food plc in 1997. It is today known as the global Food giant, Glanbia, one of the world's top nutrition companies, with revenues of over €3.5 billion and 5,815 employees.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.glanbia.com/about-us/glanbia-at-a-glance|title = Glanbia at a Glance|publisher = Glanbia Plc|access-date = 26 January 2016|archive-date = 3 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160203043014/http://www.glanbia.com/about-us/glanbia-at-a-glance|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 1966 over 30 local creameries created by local farmers joined with other small rural co-operative societies throughout County Kilkenny and some neighbouring counties, and together with [[Uniq plc|Unigate]] Limited support, formed the Avonmore Creameries Federation.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.glanbia.com/about-us/our-history|title = Glanbia – Our History|website = About Us|publisher = Glanbia Plc|access-date = 25 January 2016|archive-date = 27 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160127081842/http://www.glanbia.com/about-us/our-history|url-status = live}}</ref> According to the Glanbia Collections in Kilkenny Archives at [[St Kieran's College]], Kilkenny, the Avonmore Coop brand was created through the merger of several dozen village creameries throughout County Kilkenny.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.kilkennyarchives.ie/collections/glanbia-collection/|title = Glanbia Archives|website = Kilkenny Archives|publisher = St Kieran's College, Kilkenny|access-date = 25 January 2016|archive-date = 27 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160127094032/http://www.kilkennyarchives.ie/collections/glanbia-collection/|url-status = live}}</ref> Realising the benefits of increased scale and greater diversification in the 1960s, they saw the need for an amalgamation of many small, locally focused co-operatives across Ireland. It led to the construction of a new multi-purpose Avonmore dairy plant facility in [[Ballyragget]], [[County Kilkenny]], a plant they claimed was the biggest food processing facility in Europe at that time. Today that giant global entity is known as [[Glanbia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.glanbia.com/about-us/our-history|title = Our History|publisher = Glanbia plc|access-date = 25 January 2016|archive-date = 27 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160127081842/http://www.glanbia.com/about-us/our-history|url-status = live}}</ref> Glanbia has its origins in the Irish agricultural co-operative movement that evolved over the last century, ever since first Irish Co-operative founded by [[Horace Plunkett]] in 1889. Today [[Glanbia]] has operations in 34 countries<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.glanbia.com/our-business/our-global-footprint#/world/all|title = Glanbia – Our Global Footprint|publisher = Glanbia Plc|access-date = 26 January 2016|archive-date = 3 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160203052429/http://www.glanbia.com/our-business/our-global-footprint#/world/all|url-status = dead}}</ref> and is exporting to more than 100 countries worldwide. Glanbia is ranked by revenue (2010 figures) in the top 100 Cooperatives,<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://ica.coop/sites/default/files/attachments/Global300%20Report%202011.pdf|title = World's major Co-operatives & Mutual Businesses|website = ICA Global 300 Report 2010|publisher = Intewrnational Cooperative Alliance|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023031/http://ica.coop/sites/default/files/attachments/Global300%20Report%202011.pdf|archive-date = 2016-03-04}}</ref> No 98 in the world and No 1 in Ireland by the [[International Co-operative Alliance]],<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://ica.coop/en/media/news/top-300-co-operatives-generate-usd-2-trillion|title = Top 300 co-operatives generate USD 2 trillion|website = World Cooperative Monitor|publisher = International Co-operative Alliance|access-date = 25 January 2016|archive-date = 27 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160127165449/http://ica.coop/en/media/news/top-300-co-operatives-generate-usd-2-trillion|url-status = live}}</ref> the global apex organisation of co-operatives worldwide.

The Ballyhale C.D.S. (1895–1995) 100th-anniversary booklet of its foundation records that a federation of 25 Co-op Creameries originally emerged in January 1965 under the umbrella of Avonmore Creameries Ltd., that shares were taken in the new entity by the society and that in following years a Ballyragget milk processing factory was built. Ireland entered the Common Market in 1970. The first bulk milk collection took place in 1973, when the amalgamation was formalised.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

====Other====
Recent developments in Kilkenny have attracted further investment from local businesses as well as attracting new industries. Leggetsrath Business Park was opened in 2003. There are two retail warehouse parks in Kilkenny: Kilkenny Retail Park and Ormonde Retail Park. Hebron Business Park was constructed in 2002 and is a privately owned extension to the Hebron Industrial Estate, the main centre for industry in Kilkenny.

===Hospitals===
{{See also|List of hospitals in the Republic of Ireland}}
Hospitals in Kilkenny include three public hospitals and one private hospital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/query.py?category=Hospitals&county=Kilkenny&town=*&submit=FIND+ADDRESSES|title=Find an Address|first=CIB-Citizens Information|last=Ireland|website=Findaddress.citizensinformation.ie|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-date=22 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222140107/http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/query.py?category=Hospitals&county=Kilkenny&town=*&submit=FIND+ADDRESSES|url-status=live}}</ref> [[St. Luke's General Hospital|St. Luke's]] is a general medical and surgical hospital built in 1942.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hse.ie/eng/HSE_FactFile/County_Information/Kilkenny/St%20Lukes%20General%20Hospital%20Kilkenny/St_Lukes_General_Hospital_Kilkenny.html|title=HSE Factfile on St Lukes General Hospital|website=Hse.ie|access-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222085259/http://www.hse.ie/eng/HSE_FactFile/County_Information/Kilkenny/St%20Lukes%20General%20Hospital%20Kilkenny/St_Lukes_General_Hospital_Kilkenny.html|archive-date=2012-02-22|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is based on Freshford Road and provides a range of local and regional services. Local services include medical, general surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics. [[St. Canice's Hospital|St. Canice's]] is a psychiatric hospital, opened in 1852 and located on the Dublin Road.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sehb.ie/services/sm-psych-hospitals.html#KILKENNY|title=South Eastern Health Board Psychiatric Hospitals|access-date=2009-07-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725200215/http://www.sehb.ie/services/sm-psych-hospitals.html#KILKENNY|archive-date=2009-07-25|url-status=dead}}</ref> It provides a range of mental health services including acute and long stay care, out-patient services throughout the county, addiction counselling services, respite care community hostel facilities and daycare facilities. It also provides paediatric physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. [[Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital|Kilcreene]] is the regional orthopaedic hospital outside the city in Kilcreene. [[Aut Even Hospital|Aut Even]] is a private hospital based outside Kilkenny City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mountcarmel.ie/aut_even_hospital.html |title=Aut Even Private Hospital |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727074454/http://www.mountcarmel.ie/aut_even_hospital.html |archive-date=2009-07-27 }}</ref>

==Sport==
{{See also|Sport in Ireland}}

===Athletics===
The Kilkenny City Harriers Club is an athletics club formed in 1953.<ref name="harriers">{{Cite web|url=http://www.kch.ie/page10.php|title=Club history|website=Kch.ie|access-date=6 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721124926/http://www.kch.ie/page10.php|archive-date=2011-07-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1989 Kilkenny was designated as a local sports centre and an all-weather running track and facilities designed to meet [[International Association of Athletics Federations]] standards was begun.<ref name="harriers" /> In 1992 the new track was officially opened and renamed Scanlon Park after Patrick 'Rusty' Scanlon, who had been associated with the old complex both as an athlete and as a soccer player.<ref name="harriers" />

===GAA===
The County Board of [[Kilkenny GAA]] ({{langx|ga|Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Coiste Cill Channaigh}}) has its head office and main grounds at [[Nowlan Park]] in the city. The Kilkenny branch of the [[Gaelic Athletic Association|GAA]] was founded in 1887.

[[Hurling]] is the dominant sport in the city and county, and Kilkenny has one of the most successful county hurling teams. Secondary schools noted for their contribution to the game include [[St. Kieran's College]] and Christian Brothers School (CBS).{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} Former students who have played for St. Kieran's include [[Eddie Keher]], [[Brian Cody]], [[Eoin Kelly (Tipperary hurler)|Eoin Kelly]], [[DJ Carey]] and [[Henry Shefflin]]. There are three GAA clubs based in the city: [[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA]], [[Dicksboro GAA]] and [[James Stephens (GAA Club)]]. St John's Parish is the catchment area for O'Loughlin Gaels. The parishes of St Mary's and St Canice's are associated with Dicksboro. St Patrick's parish is the catchment area for the James Stephens club.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

[[Gaelic football]] is also played in Kilkenny, although it is not as popular as it is in some other Irish counties. The Kilkenny footballers are the only county not to participate in the [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship]]. They have previously taken gap years away from League football, and for example did not participate in 2013, after poor runs in 2012 and 2011.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

===Association football===
[[Kilkenny City AFC]] played in the [[League of Ireland]] until January 2008. It entered the league as EMFA in 1986, but resigned its position in the league after 22 years citing "lack of finance, poor results and paltry attendances". The club had spent all but two seasons in the League of Ireland's second tier. Kilkenny and District Soccer League run leagues at schoolboy, youth and junior levels throughout the county. It is affiliated with the Leinster Football Association, [[Football Association of Ireland]] and the Schoolboy's Football Association of Ireland.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

In 2015 [[Kilkenny United W.F.C.]] were admitted to the [[Women's National League (Ireland)|Women's National League]], the top tier of women's football in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|title=United we stand – Kilkenny join women's league|url=http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/sport/soccer/united-we-stand-kilkenny-join-women-s-league-1-6842484|access-date=2 January 2016|newspaper=[[Kilkenny People]]|date=11 July 2015|archive-date=22 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822050555/http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/sport/soccer/united-we-stand-kilkenny-join-women-s-league-1-6842484|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Rugby===
[[Kilkenny RFC]] founded in 1885,<ref name="O'Mahony 2009">{{cite news |title=A proud tradition carved in Marble |author=O'Mahony |url=http://www.herald.ie/sport/leinster-rugby/a-proud-tradition-carved-in-marble-1604445.html |newspaper=herald.ie |date=17 January 2009 |access-date=8 February 2011 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721124535/http://www.herald.ie/sport/leinster-rugby/a-proud-tradition-carved-in-marble-1604445.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a [[rugby union]] club based at Foulkstown on the Waterford Road.<ref name="KKRFC">From the [http://www.kilkennyrugby.com/ official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128092349/http://kilkennyrugby.com/ |date=2011-01-28 }} of [[Kilkenny RFC]]; see history {{cite web|url=http://www.kilkennyrugby.com/history.htm|title=I|access-date=2011-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713150315/http://www.kilkennyrugby.com/history.htm|archive-date=2011-07-13|url-status=dead}} & {{cite news|author=Dermot O'Mahony|url=http://www.kilkennyrugby.com/history2.htm|title=II|access-date=2011-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713150343/http://www.kilkennyrugby.com/history2.htm|archive-date=2011-07-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> The club has provided a number players for the Ireland national team, including [[Jack Notley]], [[Willie Duggan]], [[Ned Byrne]], [[Ronan Kearney]] and [[Gary Halpin]].<ref name="KKRFC" /> [[Ian Dowling]] plays for the Munster Rugby team and is a two-time winner of the European Rugby Cup in 2006 and 2008.<ref name="KKRFC" />

Rugby is played at schools level by [[Kilkenny College]] and Kilkenny Christian Brothers School (CBS).{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

===Golf===
Kilkenny Golf Club is an 18-hole championship parkland course within the city to the North West, close to the city centre. It has hosted several Professional Championship events. In 1984 and 1996, it was the venue for the All Ireland Mixed Foursome Finals, and in 1985 hosted the All Ireland Cups and Shields Finals. It is playable all year round due to sand-based greens. The course is mostly flat terrain with an abundance of trees.

Around Kilkenny City, there is also a Driving Range in Newpark and an 18-hole all-weather Par 3 golf course in Pocoke.

[[Mount Juliet Golf Course]] is a [[golf]] resort situated near Kilkenny in [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]]. [[Jack Nicklaus]] designed the course, and it is considered to be one of Ireland's best courses.

===Cycling===
Kilkenny is home to two [[Cycling Ireland]] affiliated cycling clubs, Kilkenny Pedallers and Marble City Cyclers.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} Since 2016, Kilkenny has been the base for [[Rás na mBan]], a women's cycling event which consists of six stages over five days to a total of over 400&nbsp;km.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://rasnamban.com/about/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Rás na mBan |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Rás na mBan - Ireland's premier women's stage race |url=https://rasnamban.com/about/history/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Rás na mBan |language=en-GB}}</ref> Previous editions have featured stage finishes throughout County Kilkenny, including in Kilkenny city.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

===Ice hockey===
Kilkenny City Storm is a mixed [[ice hockey]] team which was formed in 2007,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kilkennycitystorm.com/ |title=Kilkenny City Storm Website |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801232730/http://kilkennycitystorm.com/ |archive-date=1 August 2015 }}</ref> and plays in the [[Irish Ice Hockey Association]] Recreational Division League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iiha.org/ice_hockey/iihl/2008-2009/rd/|title=Irish Ice Hockey League Recreational Division 2008 – 2009|access-date=2009-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618222627/http://www.iiha.org/ice_hockey/iihl/2008-2009/rd/|archive-date=2009-06-18|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team also has an [[inline hockey]] team, playing in the Northern Inline Hockey League and the Irish inline hockey (roller hockey) league.

==Notable residents==
{{See also|List of people from County Kilkenny}}
In ''Kilkenny: The Landed Gentry & Aristocracy'', Art Kavanagh<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://irishfamilynamesx.com/kilkenny|title = The Landed Gentry & Aristocracy of County Kilkenny|author = Art Kavanagh|date = 2004|website = Kilkenny|publisher = Irish Family Names|access-date = 20 January 2016|archive-date = 22 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160122100440/http://irishfamilynamesx.com/kilkenny|url-status = live}}</ref>  devotes a chapter each to eighteen of the most prominent Kilkenny families, chosen 'on a random geographical basis to ensure even distribution over the entire county', as follows: Agar of [[Gowran]], [[Blunden baronets|Blunden of Castle Blunden]], [[Jenkinstown Park|Bryan of Jenkinstown]], [[Earl of Carrick (Ireland)|Butler (Lords Carrick)]], [[Hubert Butler|Butler of Maidenhall]], [[Viscount Mountgarret|Butler (Lords Mountgarret)]], [[Earl of Ormond (Ireland)|Butler (Earls of Ormonde)]], [[Earl of Desart|Cuffe (Lords Desart)]], [[De Montmorency baronets|De Montmorency]], [[Frederick Flood|Flood of Farmley]], [[Langrishe baronets|Langrishe]] of [[Knocktopher]], [[Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel|Loftus of Mount Juliet]], [[Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel|McCalmont of Mount Juliet]], [[Earl of Bessborough|Ponsonby (Earls of Bessborough)]], [[Power baronets|Power of Kilfane]], [[Smithwick's|Smithwick of Kilcreene]], [[Richard St George Mansergh-St George|St George]] of [[Freshford, County Kilkenny|Freshford]] and [[Viscount Castlecomer|Wandesforde of Catlecomer]].

==See also==
{{portal|Ireland}}
* [[Switzer's Asylum]], homes for the elderly
* [[Kilkenny Archaeological Society]], Ireland's first historical society, founded in 1849
* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]]
* [[List of townlands in County Kilkenny]]
* [[List of abbeys and priories in the Republic of Ireland#County Kilkenny|List of abbeys and priories in County Kilkenny]]
* [[Kilkenny (beer)]], a brand of beer produced by Guinness
* [[Kilkenny cat]], nickname for a tenacious fighter
* [[Kilkenny (surname)]]
* [[National Reptile Zoo]], Kilkenny

==References==

===Footnotes===
{{notelist}}

===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{Cite web
| last=Egan
| first=P.M.
| year=1884
| title=The illustrated guide to the city and county of Kilkenny
| location=Kilkenny
| url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/82-Egan-Kilkenny/82-Kilkenny.pdf
| access-date=4 September 2009
| archive-date=13 April 2017
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413052443/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/82-Egan-Kilkenny/82-Kilkenny.pdf
| url-status=live
}}
*{{Citation
| last=Graves
| first=Rev. James
| year=1857
| title=The History, Architecture, and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of St. Canice, Kilkenny
| place=Grafton Street, Dublin.
| publisher=Hodges, Smith, & co.
| pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyarchitec01gravgoog/page/n37 22]
| url=https://archive.org/details/historyarchitec01gravgoog
}}
*{{Cite web
| last=Masters
| year=1085
| url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text019.html
| title=Annals of the Four Masters
| access-date=19 September 2008
| archive-date=15 October 2012
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015093814/http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text019.html
| url-status=live
}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Room
| first=Adrian
| title=Placenames of the World
| publisher=McFarland & Co Inc
| year=2006
| edition=2
| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JIPAN-eJ4C
| isbn=978-0-7864-2248-7
| access-date=6 October 2020
| archive-date=29 March 2017
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329060933/https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JIPAN-eJ4C
| url-status=live
}}
* {{Cite book
| title=Kilkenny in the Jacobite War, 1689–91
| last=Simms
| first=J.G
| year=1961
| publisher=[[Old Kilkenny Review]]
| volume=13
}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Anderson
| first=Paris
| year=1848
| title=Nooks and Corners of County Kilkenny.
| place=Kilkenny
| publisher=[[Kilkenny People]] Printing Works, James's Street
| url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/240_Nooks-and-Corners-of-County-Kilkenny/240_Nooks-and-Corners-of-County-Kilkenny.pdf
| journal=
| access-date=4 September 2009
| archive-date=13 April 2017
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413022016/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/240_Nooks-and-Corners-of-County-Kilkenny/240_Nooks-and-Corners-of-County-Kilkenny.pdf
| url-status=live
}}
* {{Cite book
| last1 = Bush
| first1 = Andrew
| first2 = Mark
| last2 = Haworth-Booth
| title = Bonnettstown: A House in Ireland
| publisher = H.N. Abrams
| year = 1989
| isbn = 0-8109-0748-8
}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Carrigan
| first=William
| year=1905
| title=History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, Volume 1.
| place=Dublin
| publisher=Sealy, Bryers and Walker
| url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/183-185-186-190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory/190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory%20Vol%201.pdf
| journal=
| access-date=4 September 2009
| archive-date=28 October 2017
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028234040/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/183-185-186-190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory/190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory%20Vol%201.pdf
| url-status=live
}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Carrigan
| first=William
| year=1905
| title=History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, Volume 2.
| place=Dublin
| publisher=Sealy, Bryers and Walker
| url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/183-185-186-190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory/186-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory%20Vol%202.pdf
| journal=
| access-date=4 September 2009
| archive-date=28 October 2017
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028234111/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/183-185-186-190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory/186-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory%20Vol%202.pdf
| url-status=live
}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Carrigan
| first=William
| year=1905
| title=History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, Volume 3.
| place=Dublin
| publisher=Sealy, Bryers and Walker
| url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/183-185-186-190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory/183-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory%20Vol%203.pdf
| journal=
| access-date=4 September 2009
| archive-date=23 September 2015
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175319/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/183-185-186-190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory/183-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory%20Vol%203.pdf
| url-status=live
}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Carrigan
| first=William
| year=1905
| title=History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, Volume 4.
| place=Dublin
| publisher=Sealy, Bryers and Walker
| url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/183-185-186-190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory/190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory%20Vol%201.pdf
| journal=
| access-date=4 September 2009
| archive-date=28 October 2017
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028234040/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/183-185-186-190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory/190-History%20and%20Antiquities%20of%20the%20Diocese%20of%20Ossory%20Vol%201.pdf
| url-status=live
}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Chadwyck-Healey
| first=Charles
| year=1856
| title=Notes and Queries
| place=University of Michigan
| publisher=Oxford University Press
| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wn0PAAAAIAAJ
| publication-date=1856
| journal=
| access-date=6 October 2020
| archive-date=31 October 2020
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031175441/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wn0PAAAAIAAJ
| url-status=live
}}
* {{Cite book
| last = Corcoran
| first = Colm
| title =The Life and Times of Kilkenny's Citizens
}}
* {{Cite book
| last = Cody
| first = Brian
| title = Cody
| publisher = Folens
| date = 3 October 2009
| location = Kilkenny
}}
* {{Cite book
| last = Edwards
| first = David
| title = The Ormond Lordship in County Kilkenny, 1515–1642: The Rise and Fall of Butler Feudal Power
| publisher = Four Courts Press
| year = 2000
| isbn = 1-85182-578-9
}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Fry
| first=Plantagenet Somerset
| year=1991
| publisher=Routledge
| title=A History of Ireland: From the Earliest Times to 1922
| isbn =0-415-04888-5
| publication-date=1991
}}
*{{Cite book
| last= Gale
| first=Thompson
| chapter=The Statutes of Kilkenny
| year=2004
| title=Encyclopedia of Irish History and Culture. 1st ed.
}}
* {{Cite book
| last1 = Gleeson
| first1 = John
| first2 = George
| last2 = Cunningham
| title = History of the Ely O'Carroll Territory Or Ancient Ormond
| publisher = Roberts' Books
| year = 1982
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NXbQHQAACAAJ
| isbn = 0-907561-06-3
}}
*{{Cite web
| last=Healy
| first=William
| year=1893
| title=History and antiquities of Kilkenny (City and County). Volume 1
| location=Kilkenny
| url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/38-History-and-Antiquities-of-Kilkenny/38-History-and-Antiquities-of-Kilkenny.pdf
| access-date=4 September 2009
| archive-date=13 April 2017
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413021816/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/38-History-and-Antiquities-of-Kilkenny/38-History-and-Antiquities-of-Kilkenny.pdf
| url-status=live
}}
* {{Cite book
| last = Hogan
| first = John
| title = Kilkenny; the Ancient City of Ossory, the Seat of Its Kings, the See of Its Bishops and the Site of Its Cathedral
| publisher = P. M. Egan
| year = 1884
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vHmnGQAACAAJ
| access-date = 6 October 2020
| archive-date = 24 September 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210924152529/https://books.google.com/books?id=vHmnGQAACAAJ
| url-status = live
}}
* {{Cite book
 |last      = Heritage Council
 |title     = Kilkenny City Walls Conservation Plan
 |publisher = The Heritage Council
 |location  = Kilkenny
 |url       = http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/publications/Kilkenny_Walls/
}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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| last = Jackson
| first = Robert Wyse
| title = The Story of Kilkenny
| publisher = Mercier Press
| year = 1974
| isbn = 0-85342-391-1
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Kenny
| first = Sean
| title = Every Stick and Stone that Stands Kilkenny
| publisher = Sean Kenny
| year = 2003
| location = Kilkenny, Ireland
| isbn = 0-9545741-0-9
}}
*{{Cite book
| last=Ledwich
| first=Edward
| url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text019.html
| title=Antiquities of Ireland
| publisher=Banton Press
| isbn=9781856520256
| date=1991
| access-date=19 September 2008
| archive-date=15 October 2012
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015093814/http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text019.html
| url-status=live
}}
* {{Cite book
| last1 = Lanigan
| first1 = Katherine
| first2 = Gerald
| last2 = Tyler
| title = Kilkenny: Its Architecture and History
| publisher = Appletree Press
| year = 1987
| location = Belfast
| isbn = 0-86281-180-5
}}
* {{Cite book
| last = Leonard
| first = John
| title = A University for Kilkenny: Plans for a Royal College in the Seventeenth Century
| publisher = St Canice's Press
| year = 1996
| isbn = 0-9528076-0-2
| url-access = registration
| url = https://archive.org/details/universityforkil00leon
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| last = Mayor
| first = F White
| title = The Castle on Kilkenny
| publisher = Folens
| year = 1999
}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Maloney
| first = Danny
| title = An Individuals tale of Kilkenny
| publisher = Palin & Son Publishing
| year = 1986
| location = Kilkenny, Ireland
| page = 457
}}
*{{Citation
| last=Meehan
| first=C. P.
| author-link=C. P. Meehan
| year=1846
| title=The Confederation of Kilkenny
| place=Dublin
| publisher=James Duffy
| url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/221_Confederation-of-Kilkenny-Geraldines/221_Confederation-of-Kilkenny-Geraldines.pdf
| journal=
| access-date=4 September 2009
| archive-date=28 October 2017
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028235104/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/221_Confederation-of-Kilkenny-Geraldines/221_Confederation-of-Kilkenny-Geraldines.pdf
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}}
* {{Cite book
| last=Muldoon
| first=James
| year=2000
| chapter=Medieval Notions of Difference
| editor-last=Lang
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| title=Race and Racism in Theory and Practice
| publisher=Rowman & Littlefield
| isbn=0-8476-9693-6
| publication-date=2000
}}
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| last=O'Brien
| first=Karen
| url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text019.html
| title=A Statute of the Fortieth Year of King Edward III., enacted in a parliament held in Kilkenny, A.D. 1367, before Lionel Duke of Clarence, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
| access-date=2008-12-31
| date=1367
| archive-date=15 October 2012
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015093814/http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100005B/text019.html
| url-status=live
}}
* {{Cite book
| last = O'Carroll
| first = Joseph C
| title = Historic Kilkenny: Kilkenny and It's Glorious Past, a Guide to Historic Kilkenny
| publisher = [[Kilkenny People|Kilkenny People Ltd]]
| year = 1980
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=MpRzGwAACAAJ
}}
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| chapter=Gaelicization.
| year=2005
| title=Medieval Ireland An Encyclopedia. 1st ed.
| publisher=Routledge
| publication-date=2005
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| last1 = Sparks
| first1 = May
| first2 = Eric
| last2 = Bligh
| title = Kilkenny: Pen and picture pages of its story
| publisher = [[Kilkenny People]] office
| year = 1926
| location = Kilkenny
| url = http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/239_Kilkenny-Pen-and-Picture-Pages-of-its-History/239_Kilkenny-Pen-and-Picture-Pages-of-its-History.pdf
| access-date = 4 September 2009
| archive-date = 13 April 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413092618/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/239_Kilkenny-Pen-and-Picture-Pages-of-its-History/239_Kilkenny-Pen-and-Picture-Pages-of-its-History.pdf
| url-status = live
}}
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| last = Tighe
| first = W
| title = Statistical observations relative to the county of Kilkenny
| publisher = Graisberry and Campbell
| year = 1802
| location = Dublin
| url = http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/239_Kilkenny-Pen-and-Picture-Pages-of-its-History/239_Kilkenny-Pen-and-Picture-Pages-of-its-History.pdf
| access-date = 4 September 2009
| archive-date = 13 April 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413092618/http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/239_Kilkenny-Pen-and-Picture-Pages-of-its-History/239_Kilkenny-Pen-and-Picture-Pages-of-its-History.pdf
| url-status = live
}}
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| last1=Nolan
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| last2=Whelan
| first2=Kevin
| year=1990
| title=Kilkenny:History and Society
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| pages=715
| isbn =0-906602-13-0
| publication-date=2005
}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons and category|Kilkenny - Cill Chainnigh|Kilkenny}}
{{wikivoyage|Kilkenny}}

* [http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/ Kilkenny County Council]&nbsp;– Official website of the local authority for Kilkenny
* [https://visitkilkenny.ie/ Kilkenny Tourism]
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
* {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Kilkenny (city)|volume=15|pages=793–794|short=1}}

{{Kilkenny}}
{{Geographic location
| Centre = Kilkenny
| North =
[[Castlecomer]]

[[N78 road (Ireland)|N78]][[File:IRL N78.svg|25px]]<br />
[[N77 road (Ireland)|N77]][[File:IRL N77.svg|25px]]
| Northeast =
| East = [[N10 road (Ireland)|N10]][[File:IRL N10.svg|25px]] – [[M9 motorway (Ireland)|M9]][[File:M9-IE.svg|50px]] – [[Carlow]]
| Southeast =
| South = [[N10 road (Ireland)|N10]][[File:IRL N10.svg|25px]] – [[M9 motorway (Ireland)|M9]][[File:M9-IE.svg|50px]] – [[Waterford]]
| Southwest = [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]] – [[N76 road (Ireland)|N76]][[File:IRL N76.svg|25px]]
| West =
| Northwest = [[Ballyragget]] – [[N77 road (Ireland)|N77]][[File:IRL N77.svg|25px]]
| image =
}}
{{County Kilkenny}}
{{Cities in Ireland}}
{{Kilkenny-baronies}}
{{Largest urban areas in the Republic of Ireland by population}} 
{{Tidy Towns (Ireland)}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kilkenny (City)}}
[[Category:Kilkenny (city)| ]]
[[Category:Former boroughs in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Census towns in County Kilkenny]]
[[Category:Cities in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:County towns in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:County Kilkenny]]
[[Category:Leinster]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in County Kilkenny]]