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Kilkenny
Kilkenny, (), is the county town of County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore, at the centre of County Kilkenny in the province of Leinster in the south-east of Ireland. Kilkenny City is administered by a borough council and has a Mayor. The population of the city and its environs is approximately 25,000. The majority of the population of Kilkenny City live outside the borough boundary.
From an ecclesiastical foundation, Kilkenny was the ancient capital of the kingdom of Ossory. The town was established, then a city, in 1609 by royal charter. Kilkenny was the capital of Confederate Ireland between 1642 and 1649. The seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossory and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory are in Kilkenny.
Kilkenny is famous for its medieval building and castle. The town has been referred to as the "Marble City" for centuries. People from Kilkenny are often referred to as 'Cats'.
Kilkenny is 117km (73miles) from Dublin and 48km (30miles) north of the nearest city Waterford.
City Status
Kilkenny was given the status of a city by Royal Charter in 1609 by King James I of England.
Kilkenny was the capital of Confederate Ireland between 1642 and 1649, until it surrendered during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. In 1710 St. Francis Abbey Brewery, the home of Smithwick's Ale, was founded by John Smithwick.
A 17th century description of city of Kilkenny lies in a manuscript called ''De Ossoriensi Dioescesi'', which was a tract on the diocese of Ossary believed to be written by David Rothe the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossary.
The manuscript transulates from latin as;
However, Kilkenny does not have a city council, as according to the Local Government Act 2001 there are only five cities in Ireland: Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway. This move upset many of the inhabitants of Kilkenny and local politicians and so a provision was added to the act to allow for "the continued use of the description city in relation to Kilkenny, to the extent that that description was used before the establishment day".
Toponym
Kilkenny is the anglicised version of the Irish ''Cill Chainnigh'', meaning ''Church of Cainneach or Canice''. This probably relates to the church and round tower, now St. Canice's Cathedral, which was built in honour of St. Canice.
suggests a different origin to the name Kilkenny;
Ecclesiastical centre
The ''Annals of the Four Masters'' recorded entries for ''Cill Chainnigh'' in 1085 and again in 1114;
There is no mention of Kilkenny in the lives of Cainnech of Aghaboe, Ciarán of Saighir or any of the early annals of Ireland suggesting that it was not of ancient or great civil importance.
Kingdom of Osraige
Kilkenny was the main town and dynastic capital of the Kingdom of Osraige one of the ancient kingdoms of Ireland. It gave its name to the area delineated by the rivers Suir and Nore, what is modern-day County Kilkenny. The round tower currently at St Canice's Cathedral is an above ground remnant of the early medieval period.
Norman capital
In early Norman times, up to the late 12th century, Kilkenny was the capital of the colony in Ireland. It also became the home of a preceptory of the Knights of St Thomas. By the late thirteenth century Kilkenny was under Norman-Irish control. The Norman presence in the town is still very evident. Kilkenny Castle was built on an outcrop of rock offering a natural vantage point at a prominent bend in the River Nore. This lies on the site of earlier wattle and mud structures and was the site of the fortifications of the Fitzpatricks and the O'Carrolls (AD 840), amongst others. A series of walls was built to protect the burghers. There were two townships Irishtown, and Englishtown. Irishtown had its charter from the bishops of Ossory and Englishtown which was established by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
A account of the Black Death from a monastery in Cill Chainnigh, by Friar John Clyn in 1348The pestilence gathered strength in Kilkenny during Lent, for between Christmas day and 6 March, eight Friars Preachers died. There was scarcely a house in which only one died but commonly man and wife with their children and family going one way, namely, crossing to death.''
Irish Parliament
The Statutes of Kilkenny (AD 1366) got their name from the then Irish Parliament in Kilkenny. The statutes contained nineteen clauses, their general provision being to reduce the influence of the Irish on the Normans. They prohibited intermarriage as well as the customs and language of the Irish, which were considered to have had an adverse effect on the Norman settlers. The statutes also attempted to outlaw Brehon Laws.
Civil War
In early May 1922 before the Irish Civil War there was a serious clash in Kilkenny, when anti-Treaty forces occupied the centre of the town and 200 pro-Treaty troops were sent from Dublin to disperse them. On 3 May the Dáil was informed that 18 men had been killed in the fighting in Kilkenny. In a bid to avoid an all-out civil war, both sides agreed to a truce on May 3, 1922.
Geography
: ''Also see: Geography of Ireland''
Kilkenny is is situated in the Nore Valley on both banks of the River Nore, at the centre of County Kilkenny in the province of Leinster in the south-east of Ireland.
Environment
Climate
Weatherwise, Kilkenny is generally representative of wide river valleys in the region with low temperatures on cloudless nights. Overall, Kilkenny has a mild, but changeable, oceanic climate with few extremes. Kilkenny 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 at Kilkenny Castle on 26 June 1887. The maximum daily rainfall recorded at Kilkenny station was on 17 July 1983. The highest wind gust, 77 knots (from a South-west direction, i.e. 200 degrees), was recorded on 12 January 1974. The maximum daily sunshine was 16.3 hours on 18 June 1978. The warmest and sunniest month on record at Kilkenny was August 1995 with a total of 274.9 hours sunshine and very high temperatures throughout. The maximum temperature recorded was on 2 August 1995. The warmest recorded air temperature was at Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny on 26 June 1887. Extremes recorded at the Kilkenny Met Station include the Highest Air Temperature of on 29 June 1976, the Lowest Air Temperature of on 2 January 1979 and the Lowest Ground Temperature of on 12 January 1982.
Physical
Thes elevation is 60 m (196 ft) above mean sea level. The area of Kilkenny is 3.74 km² making it the smallest city in the Republic of Ireland and although all citys in Ireland are by the coast or along a river Kilkenny is the only city that is not tidal.
Kilkenny is 117 km (73 miles) from the capital Dublin and 48 km (30 miles) north from the nearest city Waterford. Wexford is 80 km (50 miles) to the south-east and Limerick is 122 km (70 miles) to to the west.
Governance
Local government bodies in Kilkenny have responsibility for such matters as planning, roads, sanitation and libraries. It is governed by the Local Government Acts, the most significant of which was in 2001, which established a two-tier structure of local government. The top tier of the structure consists of the Kilkenny County Council which has 26 elected councillors of which Kilkenny elects seven. The second tier of local government is the Kilkenny Borough Council, which is a "Town Council" but uses the title of "Borough Council" instead, but has no additional responsibilities.
Kilkenny's city status is derived from a Royal Charter in 1609 by King James I of England. This was recently given a legislative basis by Section 10(7) of the Local Government Act 2001, which allows for "the continued use of the description city", although it does not have a city council like the other Irish cities, but rather a borough council instead.
County Kilkenny is in the South-East regional authority of Ireland and is part of the Carlow-Kilkenny Dáil Éireann constituency. Kilkenny has been represented through several parliamentary constituencies in the past. From 1918–1921
Kilkenny was part of the North Kilkenny United Kingdom Parliamentary constituency. In 1921 the Carlow-Kilkenny Dáil Éireann constituency was created and has stayed apart from between 1937 and 1948 when there was just a Kilkenny constituency.
Kikenny is in the Ireland East constituency of the European Parliament and elects 3 MEPs.
Culture
: ''Also see: Culture of Ireland and Irish people
Kilkenny is a popular tourist destination in Ireland. Well regarded for its cultural life, it has always tended to attract culturally aware visitors. Art galleries, historic buildings, craft and design workshops, theatre, comedy, public gardens and museums are some of main reasons Kilkenny has become one of Ireland's most visited towns and a popular base to explore the surrounding countryside.
Points of interest within the city and its environs include Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice's Cathedral and round tower, Rothe House, St. Mary's Cathedral, Kells Priory, Kilkenny Town Hall, Black Abbey and Jerpoint Abbey.
The recent rise in "stag" and "hen" parties in the city has seen attempts made at local level to discourage such activity, without impinging on the vibrant nightlife the city is known for.
Arts and Festivals
Kilkenny is encouraged as festival location throughout the year and especially during the summer months.
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, Paintings, Sculptures and live performances. Musical events including traditional, Classical, World, Jazz Music take place durning the festival.
Kilkenny holds the annual Smithwicks Cat Laughs Comedy festival every June.
The Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival is held on the first weekend in May every year and features the best in Americana/Bluegrass/Folk/Rockabilly/AltCountry in various venues throughout the city.
Music
: ''Also see: Music of Ireland''
Kilkenny has a rich and vibrant music scene. The Kilkenny Arts Festival held every August embraces musical acts of all ages and styles.
The 'Source' annual concert in Nolan Park attracts mainstream musical performers such as Rod Stewart, Shania Twain, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Andrea Bocelli. Dolly Parton headlined at the 2008 event.
Cleere's pub and theatre in Parliament Street is well-known for touring Irish and international bands including indie, jazz and blues. They also have a trad music session every Monday night, as does Ryan's on Friary Street on Thursdays. The Zoo nightclub hosts up and coming local acts.
Classical tastes are catered for in St. Canice's Cathedral, where classical musicians and choirs often perform. The Kilkenny Choir and a Gospel Choir frequently perform in churches throughout the city.
Architecture
: ''Also see: Architecture of Ireland''
The city is famous for its many medieval buildings and has been referred to as the "Marble City" for centuries. The black stone with decorative white fossils that forms the backbone of many of Kilkenny's fine buildings was quarried locally, particularly from the Black Quarry located 1.6 km south of the city on the R700. An exposed rock face can still be seen from the road. Kilkenny Marble or Black Marble was exported to all corners of the British Empire.
The city is dominated by both Kilkenny Castle and Saint Canice's Cathedral, the latter built beside an excellent example of a well-preserved early Christian Round Tower. The Church of Ireland Cathedral is named after Saint Canice, who also gave his name to the town (''Cill Chainnigh'' is Irish for "Church of Canice"). Also of note is the Dominican 'Black Abbey', founded in 1225, lying just off Parliament Street.
Points of interest within the city and its environs include Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice's Cathedral and round tower, Rothe House, St. Mary's Cathedral, Kells Priory, Kilkenny Town Hall, Black Abbey and Jerpoint Abbey.
St. Canice's Cathedral
The 13th century cathedral of St Canice is the second longest cathedral in Ireland . The site on which the cathedral stands has been a site of Christian worship since the 6th century. The architectural style of the cathedral is Early Gothic and it is built of limestone. The cathedral has been carefully preserved in its original style and form. It is richly endowed with many stained glass windows including the East window which is a replica of the original 13th century window.
The cathedral contains some of the finest 16th century monuments in Ireland.
The memorials stretch right across the social spectrum from the great figures of the house of Ormonde to the humble shoemaker and carpenter. The baptismal font is original and the ancient stone of enthronement for bishops still exists under the seat of the medieval throne in the North Transept, where to this day the bishops of Ossory are enthroned. There are continental carvings on the choir stalls and a hammerbeam roof.
Beside the cathedral stands the 9th century round tower. It may once have been a watchtower and a refuge and it can be climbed to give an unsurpassed vantage point to view the city of Kilkenny and the surrounding countryside.
The earliest church on the site is presumed to have been made of wood, being replaced eventually in the later medieval period by a romanesque-style stone church. This was in turn replaced by the current imposing medieval cathedral. List of abbeys and priories in County Kilkenny.
Infrastructure
Railway
:''Also see Rail transport in Ireland''
Kilkenny railway station opened on 12 May 1848. 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 Irish nationalist, poet and playwright Thomas MacDonagh. Kilkenny remains an important stop on Iarnród Éireann's Intercity route between Dublin and Waterford.
Unlike other countries, the location of railway stations in Ireland was closely related to military matters rather than trade or public transport
Source: Wikipedia