One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first castle, probably a wooden structure, in the 12th century.
William the Earl Marshall built the first stone castle on the site, which was completed in 1213. This was a square-shaped castle with towers at each corner; three of these original four towers survive to this dayRead Full content of 'Kilkenny Castle'...
The Shees were a wealthy merchant family in Kilkenny in the sixteenth century much like the Rothes who built Rothe House. In 1582, Sir Richard Shee founded the alms house 'to accommodate twelve poor persons'.Read Full content of 'Shee Alms House'...
In 1594, when the Italian Renaissance was at its height,a wealthy merchant called John Rothe, built this magnificent Tudor mansions. Second and third generation houses were built around the cobbled courtyards and a well dating to 1604.Read Full content of 'Rothe House'...
At the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, there were four parochial churches in Kilkenny - Saint Kenny's (St.Canice's), Saint Patrick's, Saint Mel's and Saint Riock's. Saint Kenny's was the cathedral church of Ossory and occupied the site of the present St. Canice's Cathedral.Read Full content of 'The Four Parishes of the City'...
With its lantern clock tower and 'Big Ben' chime, the Tholsel is a distinctive image of Kilkenny. Built in 1761, the double five arch arcade was used as a covered market place.Read Full content of 'The Tholsel'...
Founded by William Marshall the Younger, for the Dominican Friars in 1225, the Black Abbey was at the centre of civic life in Kilkenny for centuries.Read Full content of 'The Black Abbey'...
Ireland's second largest medieval cathedral was established by St.Canice as a monastic settlement in the 6th centuryRead Full content of 'St.Canice's Cathederal'...
Originally a Tudor building, The Hole in the Wall behind High Street was, between about 1750 and 1850, one of Ireland's more renowned supper-houses, with many distinguished visitors imbibing the locally brewed ale and carousing into the night.Read Full content of 'The Hole in the Wall'...
In 1880 there was a revival of the woollen industry in Kilkenny and by 1885 the following firms were trading near Green's Bridge- Stephen Archibold, Charles Comerford and John Bibby.Read Full content of 'Woolen Mills on the Nore'...
Greensbridge, known as the 'Great Bridge of Kilkenny' was originally built before 1200. In 1487 the bridge was swept away by a great flood. The bridge was rebuilt but again fell victim to a deluge in 1763, which also carried away John's Bridge and sixteen city citizens.Read Full content of 'The Bridges of Kilkenny'...