Kilkenny Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in County Kilkenny, Ireland
About Kilkenny
Kilkenny in Irish isCill Chainnigh, the church of Cainnech or Canice (515-600 AD), and the first settlement grew up in the 6th century around what is now St Canice Cathedral. It was seized by the Normans in 1170, led by Richard de Clare or "Strongbow"; he built the fortress which became the castle. The ford across the River Nore was replaced by a bridge and medieval Kilkenny developed as three districts each protected by their own walls: High Town around the castle, Irish Town around the cathedral, and St Johns on the east bank of the river. The English Tudors strengthened their grip on Ireland by "plantations", colonies of loyal English and Scots (mostly Protestant) to keep the natives in check. Irish resentment flared into rebellion in 1641. Rebellion was crushed in Dublin and Ulster but
Top Attractions in Kilkenny
Explore the best things to see and do in Kilkenny:
- ★Black Abbey
- ★Church of St John the Evangelist
- ★County Hall
- ★Dunmore Cave
- ★Jenkinstown Park
- ★Kells Priory
- ★Kilkenny Castle
- ★Maudlin Tower
Where to Eat in Kilkenny
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Campagne
- 🍴Kyteler's Inn
- 🍴La Rivista
- 🍴Marble City Bar and Tearooms
- 🍴Rafter's
- 🍴Rinuccini
Where to Stay in Kilkenny
- 🏨Butler House
- 🏨Club House Hotel
- 🏨Fanad House
- 🏨Hoban Hotel
- 🏨Hotel Kilkenny
- 🏨Kilford Arms Hotel
Kilkenny Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: