County Kilkenny - Towns

Services in Ballyhale

Car Rental |  Vacation Packages

A delicious little Nore river town with a volume of legend and pulsing story which belies its modest size.

The well preserved tower and bawn (enclosure) is the Butler Castle. In the 16th century the castle was the principal seat of this vibrant Norman-Irish family of far ranging and far reaching connections. The 3rd Viscount was President of the Supreme Council of the Confederation of Kilkenny. The castle remained in Butler possession until 1788 when it passed to the MacMurrough Kavanaghs of Borris Castle. During the rebellion of 1798 it was utilised as a British army base. The Archbishop of Cashel the author of the well known butler Catechism. Most Rev. Dr. James Butler (1742-91), was born here.

Services in Ballyragget

Bed & Breakfasts |  Car Rental |  Vacation Packages

A sparkling village on one of the most delightful stretches of the River Nore. The original name was St. Benet's Bridge and it was of vital importance in the history of transport right up to the establishment of the railway systems. The main highway from Dublin to the south of Ireland, as far back as records show, crossed the Nore at this place.

Services in Bennettsbridge

Bed & Breakfasts |  Car Rental |  Vacation Packages

Callan, in the centre of a fertile plain, is an ancient market town which was strongly fortified in medieval times. Corporate rights were granted to the town in 1271. In 1408 there was a battle here in which the Prince of Ossory and 800 of his men were slain by the English. There are some remains of the fifteenth-century Augustinian priory founded by Sir James Butler, and traces of the castle which was bombarded by Cromwell in 1650. In the main street stands a handsome memorial in Kilkenny limestone to Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762-1844), founder of the Irish Christian Brothers. James Hoban, architect of the White House at Washington. D.C., was born near Callan in 1762. Robert Fulton, designer of the first steamship was born here in 1765.

Services in Callan

Bed & Breakfasts |  Car Rental |  Vacation Packages

This attractive little town in the hilly northern part of Kilkenny lies in a wooded valley where the River Dinin is joined by a tributary from the west. Though the centre of the country's largest coalfield (now worked out) the neighbourhood has a scenic charm not usually associated with colliery areas. The district was once part of the terriority of the O' Brenans, who were finally dispossessed in the seventeenth century, but are still numerous in the area. A biennial Brennan family rally has been held here.

Services in Castlecomer

Guest Houses |  Bed & Breakfasts |  Car Rental |  Vacation Packages

GoIreland.com operated by Gulliver Ireland, FEXCO Center, Killorglin, Co.Kerry, Ireland