Bed and Breakfasts in Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny
Town and Country Homes Association represent over 1000 quality approved Bed and Breakfast accommodations in every county in Ireland including Kilkenny and Kilkenny City. Our B&B's in Kilkenny offer comfort and value for money and you can be guaranteed of a warm welcome and kind hospitality when staying in Town and Country Homes accommodation in Kilkenny City or in a B&B in other parts of County Kilkenny. Whether you wish to stay in town or in the country, we have a bed and breakfast in Kilkenny to suit you.
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Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
Kilkenny (Irish: Cill Chainnigh, meaning Church of Cainneach) is the city of County Kilkenny, Ireland. Kilkenny is located in south Leinster and is situated on the River Nore. Kilkenny City and environs has a population of approximately 25,000. The city is famous for its many medieval buildings and has been referred to as the "Marble City" for centuries. Kilkenny lies approximately at the centre of the ancient Kingdom of Ossory. Kilkenny is Ireland's smallest city both by area and population. Kilkenny is the only city in Ireland that is not tidal. Kilkenny is the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ossory and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory. Book a B&B in Kilkenny online for the best rates and availability!
Book a Bed and Breakfast near Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny City B&B
History
Kilkenny has been an important town since pre-Christian times. The first major settlement appears to have originated on the area of high ground now occupied by St Canice's Cathedral. The round tower currently here is the only above ground remnant of the early medieval monastery founded by the Irish Saint Canice. The surrounding area of Irishtown, as it has been known since Norman times, is therefore the oldest part of the city. 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.
Kilkenny Castle, 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. Though the religious origins of the city are well documented, it is not known as yet quite how early these secular structures were constructed. Later medieval life in the city was often lively with a series of walls built to protect the good burghers. Book a Bed and Breakfast online in and around Kilkenny City.
The Kingdom of "Ossory", delineated by the rivers Suir and Nore, was governed by Kilkenny. 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. Friar John Clyn witnessed the effects of the Black Death in Kilkenny, after its spread in August 1348. 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. 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. 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 had to be sent from Dublin to disperse them. On 3 May the Dáil was informed 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.
Tourism
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. Receive instant confirmation when you book a B&B online with Town and Country Homes.
Arts & Festivals
Kilkenny City is encouraged as festival location throughout the year and especially durning 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, making it the "Comedy Capital of the World". If you are attending a festival or event in Kilkenny City, it is recommended that you book your bed and breakfast in Killkenny in advance. Our B&B's in Kilkenny are all quality approved homes.
Music
Kilkenny has a rich and vibrant music scene which reaches out to all walks of life. The Kilkenny Arts Festival held every August embraces musical acts of all ages and styles. The 'Source' annual concert in Nolan Park attracts more mainstream musical performancer such as Rod Stewart, Shania Twain, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Andrea Bocelli. Dolly Parton headlined at the 2008 event. The Rhythm and Roots festival is a country festival that takes place every May. 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 once a week, as does Ryan's on Friary Street. The medieval Kilkenny Castle and the Zoo nightclub are just some of the current music venues, that host up and coming local acts. More classical tastes can be 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. After a day exploring Kilkenny City, what better way to relax than in one of our Bed and Breakfasts in Kilkenny.
Architecture
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. St Mary's CathedralThe 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.
Cathedral, Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny
St. Canice's Cathedral
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. The continental carvings on the choir stalls and the hammerbeam roof are not to be missed. 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 unsurpassing vantage point to view the city of Kilkenny and the surrounding countryside.
After a day exploring the sights and sounds of Kilkenny City, enjoy comfort and relaxation in a quality approved Bed and Breakfast.
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