County Kilkenny - Heritage/Historical

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Here's a selection of Kilkenny Heritage/Historical.Click on the 'Go to ALL' link to get the full list.

1. Abbeys

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Jerpoint Abbey

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

This is undoubtedly one of the finest Cistercian monastic ruins in Ireland. The Abbey may have been founded by Donal Mac Gillapatrick, King of Ossory, in 1158 for the Benedictines (?), but it was later colonised by the Cistercians from Baltinglass in 1180. Jerpoint, in its turn, became the mother house for the Abbeys of Kilcooly, Co. Tipperary and Kilkenny in 1184.
A small Interpretative Centre adjoins the car-park.

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2. Castles (Historical)

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Kilkenny Castle - Butler Gallery

The Parade, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

Kilkenny is one of the most attractive and quaint of the inland towns of Ireland, and the considerable number of medieval monuments it contains help to preserve its medieval atmosphere. Originally the site of a monastery set up by St. Cainneach, its importance really began when William the Marshall built the first stone castle of Kilkenny in the early years of the 13th century. The castle was bought in 1391 by James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond, and under his successors the town grew to be one of considerable note, and the seat of the Irish Confederates in 1645.

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3. Towers (Round)

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Kilree Church

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

A 96 foot high Round Tower, missing original conical top, dominates this old monastic site whose early history is unknown. Near it stands a ruined church with flat-headed doorway and antae. The chancel and the rounded arch are later additions. The church may have been put to secular use in the 17th century tomb. In a field to the west stands a much work High Cross, possibly of 9th century date. Much of the cross is decorated with geometrical motifs. On the east face are representations of stag-hunting and a chariot, but the four figured panels on the end of the south arm of the cross are difficult to interpret. The Adoration of the Magi may be present on the west face.

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4. Monuments

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Tibberaghny Decorated Pillar

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

A pillar (originally forming a part of a cross?) standing on the site of an ancient monastery founded by St. Modomhnach in the 6th century and now beside a railway bridge. On one face is a centaur holding an object looking like an axe in one hand and a dagger(?) in the other, and above him are two animals. On the other face is a circular motif with a Celtic spiraloid pattern. On the two narrow sides are animals, one of which is a stag. The date of the pillar is uncertain, but it could date to the 9th century.

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5. Heritage Centres

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Brod Tullaroan

Curragh House, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny

A 17th century two storey "Thatched Mansion". This was the home of Lory Meagher, a great hurling hero of the 1920s and 1930s. It has been restorded and refurbished to the 1884 period. It provides a unique insight into how a typical Irish wealthy farming family might have lived.

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6. Cathedrals (Historical)

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St. Canice's Cathedral

The Close, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

Completed in 1285, the second longest cathedral in Ireland. On view are rich carvings, worked in both timber and stone, some dating to the 13th century, colourful stained glass and, everywhere the authentic air of a structure that has served the community for over 700 years.

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7. Archaeological

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Ossary Archives

Sion House, Co. Kilkenny

Archives are viewed by appointment only. Contact the number above for more information.

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8. Towers (Historical)

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Callan Tower

Callan, Co. Kilkenny

A 40 foot mote, originally topped by a wooden tower and dating to the early 13th century. It is said Cromwell positioned cannon on it during the ill fated siege of Callan in 1649.

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9. Castles (Historical)

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Kilkenny Castle

The Parade, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

Kilkenny is one of the most attractive and quaint of the inland towns of Ireland, and the considerable number of medieval monuments it contains help to preserve its medieval atmosphere. Originally the site of a monastery set up by St. Cainneach, its importance really began when William the Marshall built the first stone castle of Kilkenny in the early years of the 13th century. The castle was bought in 1391 by James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond, and under his successors the town grew to be one of considerable note, and the seat of the Irish Confederates in 1645.

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10. Tombs

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Kilmogue

Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny

Situated 1/2 mile west of the crossroads hamlet of Harristown and better known in the locality as Leac an Scail, this is the tallest portal-tomb in Ireland. The monumental entrance to the chamber consists of two majestic orthostats each 12 feet high, with a massive door slab set squarely between them. The pitch of the capstone is unusually steep and its front edge soars out over the portals to a point nearly 15 feet above the ground. It rests at the back on a smaller, secondary capstone, laid horizontally across the side stones of the chamber. The double capstone is found in a number of south Leinster tombs and elsewhere.

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11. Homes (Historical)

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Brod Tullaroan

Curragh House, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny

A 17th century two storey "Thatched Mansion". This was the home of Lory Meagher, a great hurling hero of the 1920s and 1930s. It has been restorded and refurbished to the 1884 period. It provides a unique insight into how a typical Irish wealthy farming family might have lived.
"Heroes of Hurling" is Ireland's first and only exhibition centre and museum dedicated to a single county's exploits in Gaelic Games. In a magnificent restored stone builidng, four display areas show a wealth of sporting history, with a special trophy room featuring medal collections and other valuable mementos of the sport.
A craft shop with a good selection of local crafts, produce, souvenirs, sweets and minerals is available. Tea, coffee and home-made baked goods are served in the Old Dairy.

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12. Crosses (Historical)

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Kilree High Cross

Kilree, Co. Kilkenny

The High Cross in the field is one of the most satisfying of the earliest carved Irish Crosses, the interpretation of the symbols still exciting scholars. The worn stone carvings include St. Anthony and St. Paul in the desert; the Temptation of St. Anthony; Jacob and the Angel; a figure flanked by two horsemen and a hunting scene. Strong traditions holds this to be the burial place of Niall Caille MacAeda, High King of Ireland, who died in 846 A.D. The early church was reconstructed in the Middle Ages but it is large enough to suggest more than a modest congregation. Both interior and exterior have interesting tombstones recalling dominant Co. Kilkenny families.

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13. Museums

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Tullaherin Museum

Tullaherin, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny

This is a local museum that hold artefacts that were used in every day farming life, many years ago.

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14. Gallery Graves

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Butler Gallery

Kilkenny Castle, Co. Kilkenny

This gallery has a permanent collection of paintings, in in wide sapcious area in Kilkenny Castle. The Gallery is opened 7 days aweek. It has paintings starting from the 19th and 20th century, They are also many exhibitions held here through out the year.

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15. Stones (Historical)

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St. Brigid's Stone

Kilree, Co. Kilkenny

Less than 200m from Kilree Church is Glun Brighde (St. Brigid's Knee) a stone with the imprint of St. Brigid's knees, while a little further north is the inevitable blessed well dedicated to her.

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16. Abbeys

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Jerpoint Abbey

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

This is undoubtedly one of the finest Cistercian monastic ruins in Ireland. The Abbey may have been founded by Donal Mac Gillapatrick, King of Ossory, in 1158 for the Benedictines (?), but it was later colonised by the Cistercians from Baltinglass in 1180. Jerpoint, in its turn, became the mother house for the Abbeys of Kilcooly, Co. Tipperary and Kilkenny in 1184. A small Interpretative Centre adjoins the car-park.

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17. Friaries

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Callan Friary

Callan, Co. Kilkenny

Callan Friary The village of Callan is associated with religion as Edmund Rice was born in this village. Rice was the founder of the religious order, known as the Christian Brothers,which were begun at the end of the 18th century.
The Christian Brothers are credited with educating the less wealthy people of Ireland. The cottage is located at Westcourt, just outside the village and is marked by a plaque. The Friary was founded for the Augustinians in 1462, by Eamonn Butler of Portrathbut it was his son John who was responsible for erecting the present buildings. The church is all that remains, but it has some of its original features left, including a decorated doorway and window in the east wall. Before the Act of Union, the village had its own M.P. a perfect example of a 'rotten borough' as Lord Callan held the seat, and was paid |15,000 compensation, for the loss of the income the seat gave him!

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18. Churches (Historical)

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Kilree Church

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

A 96 foot high Round Tower, missing original conical top, dominates this old monastic site whose early history is unknown. Near it stands a ruined church with flat-headed doorway and antae. The chancel and the rounded arch are later additions. The church may have been put to secular use in the 17th century tomb. In a field to the west stands a much work High Cross, possibly of 9th century date. Much of the cross is decorated with geometrical motifs. On the east face are representations of stag-hunting and a chariot, but the four figured panels on the end of the south arm of the cross are difficult to interpret. The Adoration of the Magi may be present on the west face.

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19. Monastery

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Kilmogue

Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny

Situated 1/2 mile west of the crossroads hamlet of Harristown and better known in the locality as Leac an Scail, this is the tallest portal-tomb in Ireland. The monumental entrance to the chamber consists of two majestic orthostats each 12 feet high, with a massive door slab set squarely between them. The pitch of the capstone is unusually steep and its front edge soars out over the portals to a point nearly 15 feet above the ground. It rests at the back on a smaller, secondary capstone, laid horizontally across the side stones of the chamber. The double capstone is found in a number of south Leinster tombs and elsewhere.

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20. Town Information

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Urlingford

Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny

In Irish, Ath na nUrlaidhe, "the ford of the sledgings" according to O'Curry, where by tradition a battle was fought in the 10th century in which "the Irish and the Danes did sledge each other's heads". The ford from which the name of the pretty town is taken is marked by the bridge which crosses the River Gowl between the old parish church and the Butler Castle of Urlingford. The pre-Reformation church, though in a ruined condition, has substantially perfect walls. A large church stood here long before the 12th century; it fell into ruins but was restored in the 13th century. The town is one of the newest in Ireland dating only from 1755, the site being partly a cut-away bog. In 1801 an assessment of progress recorded that the town contained 176 houses of which 4 were uninhabited and 5 unfinished, a distillery and a malt house.

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21. Hills (Historical)

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Hill-Walking

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

South Leinster Way (across South Kilkenny), Brandon Hill (near Graiguenamanagh) and many other locations.

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22. Priory

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Kells Priory

Kells, Co. Kilkenny

An extensive Augustinian Priory founded in 1193. A striking conglomeration of mediaeval buildings with an extensive, fortified walled area protected by seven towers or turrets.

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