View source for County Kilkenny

{{Infobox county
|name=County Kilkenny
|irish=Contae Chill Chainnigh
|map image=Kilkenny Ireland (BI Sect 7).svg
|picture=BrandonHill116.jpg
|picture caption=Brandon Hill above Graiguenamagh 
|province=Leinster
|area=
|population=
|county town=[[Kilkenny]]
}}
The '''County of Kilkenny''' is a [[Counties of the Republic of Ireland|shire]] in the province of [[Leinster]] in the Republic of Ireland. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of Ossory. According to the 2011 census the population of the county is 95,419.<ref>[http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2011/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=CTY&Geog_Code=07&CTY=07 Census 2011 County Kilkenny Overview]</ref> The manor of [[Durrow]] forms a detached part of the county, locally situate in the county of Laois. The manor comprises the [[townland]]s of Capponellan, Castledurrow Demesne, Clonageera, Course, Durrow Townparks, Glebe and Knockanoran in the parish of Durrow.<ref>Townlands of Capponellan, Castledurrow Demesne, Clonageera, Course, Durrow Townparks, Glebe and Knockanoran in the parish of Durrow: {{wmap|52.841599|-7.402759|zoom=14|base=outline_detached}}</ref>

==Geography==
Kilkenny is the 16th largest of Ireland's 32 counties in area and the 21st largest in terms of population.<ref name="Corry 2005 186–191">{{cite book| first=Eoghan| last=Corry| title=The GAA Book of Lists| publisher=Hodder Headline Ireland| year=2005| id= | pages=186–191| isbn=0-340-89695-7}}</ref> It is the third largest of Leinster's 12 counties in size and seventh largest in terms of population.

===Baronies===
The county is divided into nine baronies. There were about 800 townlands in Kilkenny in 1802. Each barony is made up of a number of parishes or parts of parishes.

Baronies in County Kilkenny:
# [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]] (''Callainn'')
# Crannagh (''Crannach'')
# Fassadinin (''Fásach an Deighnín'')
# [[Barony of Galmoy|Galmoy]] (''Gabhalmhaigh'')
# [[Gowran]] (''Gabhrán'')
# [[Barony of Ida|Ida]] (''Uí Dheá'')
# Iverk (''Uíbh Eirc'')
# [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]] (''Ceanannas'')
# [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] (''Cill Chainnigh'')
# [[Knocktopher]] (''Cnoc an Tóchair'')
# Shillelogher (''Síol Fhaolchair'')

===Towns and villages===
The county contains the city of [[Kilkenny]], located at the centre of the shire, and the towns of [[Ballyragget]] and [[Castlecomer]] to the north of the county and [[Graiguenamanagh]], [[Mooncoin]], [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]] and [[Thomastown]] to the south.

*[[Ballyfoyle]], [[Ballyhale]], [[Ballyragget]], [[Bennettsbridge]]
*[[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]], [[Carrigeen]], [[Castlecomer]], [[Castlewarren]], [[Clogh, County Kilkenny|Clogh]]
*[[Flagmount]], [[Freshford, County Kilkenny|Freshford]]
*[[Galmoy]], [[Goresbridge]], [[Gowran]], [[Graiguenamanagh]], Glenmore
*[[Inistioge]]
*[[Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny|Jenkinstown]], [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], [[Johnswell]]
*[[Kilkenny]], [[Killinaspick]], [[Kilmacow]], [[Kilmoganny]], [[Knocktopher]]
*[[Moneenroe]], [[Mooncoin]], [[Mullinavat]]
*[[Paulstown]], [[Piltown]]
*[[Redhouse, Kilkenny|Redhouse]]
*[[Slieverue]], [[Stoneyford, County Kilkenny|Stoneyford]]
*[[Thomastown]], [[Tullaroan]]
*[[Urlingford]]
*[[Windgap, County Kilkenny|Windgap]]

===Physical geography===
[[Image:BrandonHill116.jpg|thumb|left|Brandon Hill at [[Graiguenamanagh]]]]
The [[River Nore]] flows through the county and the [[River Suir]] forms the border with the county of [[County Waterford|Waterford]]. [[Brandon Hill]] is the [[county top]] with an elevation of 1,690 ft. Most of the county has a hilly surface of moderate elevation with uplands in the north-east, the north-west and the South of the county; the middle is lower by comparison.<ref>({{Harvnb|Hughes|1863|p=623}})
{{Cite journal
| last = Hughes
| first = William
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = The geography of British history
| place = London
| publisher = Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, & Green.
| year = 1863
| volume =
| edition =
| url = http://books.google.ie/books?id=NW0DAAAAQAAJ
| doi =
| id =
| isbn =
| ref = harv
| postscript = . }}
</ref>

The county has an area of 512,222 acres [http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm] and contains a population of 87,558. The county extends from 52 degrees 14 minutes to 52 degrees 52 minutes north latitude, and from 6 degrees 56 minutes to 7 degrees 37 minutes west longitude. The north-south length of the county is 45 miles; and its greatest breadth from east to west, is about 23 miles [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/County_Kilkenny] and its narrowest part is about 12 miles from where it widens irregularly towards the north.

Kilkenny extends southward from [[County Laois|Laois]] to the valley of the Suir and eastward from the [[Munster]]&ndash;[[Leinster]] border to the [[River Barrow]]. The [[River Nore]] bisects the county and the [[River Barrow]] and [[River Suir]] are natural boundaries to the east and south of the county. County Kilkenny is bordered by the counties of [[County Laois|Laois]], [[County Carlow|Carlow]], [[County Wexford|Wexford]], [[County Waterford|Waterford]] and [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]].

==== Geology ====
The '''geology of Kilkenny''' includes the [[Kiltorcan Formation]] which is early Carboniferous in age.<ref>{{Harvnb|Clayton|1977|p=25}}</ref> The Formation is located around Kiltoncan Hill near [[Ballyhale]] in the [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]] and [[Knocktopher]] areas. It forms the uppermost part of the Old Red Sandstone and is the distinctive Upper Devonian&ndash;Lower Carboniferous unit in southern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite book
|last=Jarvis
|first=D.E.
|authorlink=
|editor=Edited by P. F. Friend (University of Cambridge, UK) & B. P. J. Williams, (University of Aberdeen, UK).
|title=New perspectives on the old red sandstone
|url=http://books.google.com/?id=ONL3KxKS5x0C
|format=PDF
|accessdate=31 July 2009
|origyear=1998
|series=GSL Special Publications
|year=2000
|publisher=Geological Society of London (GSL)
|location=London
|isbn=978-1-86239-071-3
|page=400
|chapter=Palaeoenvironment of the plant bearing horizons of the Devonian-Carboniferous Kiltorcan Formation, Kiltorcan Hill, Co. Kilkenny,Ireland
|chapterurl=http://books.google.ie/books?id=ONL3KxKS5x0C&pg=PA333&lpg=PA333&dq=Kiltorcan+Formation+Kilkenny#v=onepage&q=Kiltorcan%20Formation%20Kilkenny
|ref=harv
|postscript=.
}}
</ref> It contains non-red lithologies, green mudstones, siltstones, fine sandstones and yellow sandstones. There is a fossil assemblage containing Cyclostigma and Archaeopteris and Archaeopteris hibernica.<ref>Beck 1981</ref>

Most of the county is principally limestone of the upper and lower group, corresponding with the rest of Ireland. A large area in the north and east contains beds of coal, surrounded by limestone strata, alternated with shale, argilaceous ironstone, and sandstone. This occurs eastward of the [[River Nore|Nore]] around [[Castlecomer]], along the border with Laois. It is generally accompanied by culm, which was used extensively for burning lime.

The Environment of County Kilkenny contains a great variety of natural heritage, including rivers, wildlife (mammals, birds, plants), woodlands, hedgerows, and diverse landscapes and geological features.  The main land use is grassland, dairy farming and tillage farming especially around Kilkenny City and in the fertile central plain of the Nore Valley. Conifer forests are found on the upland areas.

Habitats of international and national importance, are designated under European Union and national legislation. The four categories of designated site in effect in County Kilkenny are Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas, Statutory Nature Reserves and Wildfowl Sanctuaries. At present there are 36 designated natural heritage sites of international and national importance in County Kilkenny, covering approximately 4.5% of the county.<ref>[http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/resources/eng/Services/Planning/Draft%20Development%20Plans/County/DraftCountyDevelopmentPlan2008-2014/Ch8_Heritage.pdf Chapter 8 - Heritage], Draft County Kilkenny Development Plan 2008–2014 - [[Kilkenny County Council]]</ref>

==== Mountains and hills ====
[[File:BrandonHill91.jpg|thumb|right|[[Brandon Hill]]]]
County Kilkenny is comparably low compared to other mountain ranges in Ireland with the county top being [[Brandon Hill]], at 1,690 ft above [[sea level]]. The majority of the rest of the county is hilly except for the centre, just south of the city of [[Kilkenny]], which is comparably lower than the rest. There are highlands in the North-East, the North-West and in the South of the county.

In the north of the county the uplands of the [[Castlecomer]] district, the Castlecomer Plateau includes the Culla Hills to the west of the [[River Nore|Nore]] Valley with Castlecomer Hills and Slieve Marcy to the east. These hills are divided by the valley of the [[Dinan]] river which joins the [[River Nore|Nore]] from the east. The highest point of the Castlecomer Hills is 1,027 ft, and located North-West of the town of Castlecomer and near the border with [[County Laois|Laois]]. The highest point of the Culla Hills is in Laois at 915 ft, but its undulating slopes spread over a considerable area of Kilkenny in the north-westerly area.

In the west of the county the [[Slieveardagh Hills]] and [[Booley Hills]] extend westwards to County Tipperary. The highest point in the Slieveardagh Hills is [[Knocknamuck]] at 1,116 ft. The Booley Mountains partly divide from [[Tory Hill]] to the valley of the Kilmacow River which flows into the [[River Suir|Suir]].

In the south of the county is [[Brandon Hill]], at 1,690 ft and is near the [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[Graiguenamanagh]]. The area enclosed between the rivers [[River Nore|Nore]] and [[River Barrow|Barrow]] towards their point of joining is elevated. Along the west of the [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[River Nore|Nore]] is mostly covered by hills of nearly equal elevation except along the left bank of the river Suir. Here there is a rich area of land between the river and the hills.

==== Rivers ====
The main rivers in County Kilkenny, called [[the Three Sisters]], are the [[River Nore|Nore]], [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[River Suir|Suir]].<ref>({{Harvnb|Hughes|1863|p=623}})</ref> The [[River Nore]] bisects the county and flows through [[Ballyragget]], [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] and the villages of [[Bennettsbridge]], [[Thomastown]] and [[Inistioge]]. The [[River Suir]] forms the border between [[County Waterford]] and County Kilkenny. [[River Barrow]] forms a boundary to the east of the county.

Although County Kilkenny lies inland it has access to the sea via Belview Port, Port of Waterford, on the [[River Suir|Suir Estuary]] and via [[New Ross]] on the [[River Barrow]]. On the River Barrow, from the villages of [[Goresbridge]] and [[Graiguenamanagh]], there is a navigable river with traditional barges to the [[River Shannon]] or to [[Dublin Bay]]. Kilkenny's river network helps drain the land giving the county a highly fertile lower central plain.

Kings River and the Dinan are used of canoeing and kayaking as they contain stretches of peaceful waterways and a number of weirs and rapids. The wide and meandering Rivers Nore and Barrow are used for angling, boating and water sports.

==== Wildlife ====
The wildlife of County Kilkenny is part of the county's biodiversity and is an environmental, economic, amenity and resource.

Fauna of County Kilkenny includes hedgehogs, otters, badgers, foxes, and bats such as Leisler's bats, Daubenton's bat, the Brown long-eared bat and the Common Pipistrelle. There is also Sika deer, Fallow deer, Stoat, Red Squirrel and Pygmy Shrew.<ref name="National Parks & Wildlife Service"/> The bird nesting period is from 1 March until September 1. Woodlands, Trees and Hedgerows form a network of habitats, ecological ‘corridors’ essential for wildlife to flourish and move between habitats.

Flora of County Kilkenny includes the endangered Autumn Crocus, also rare species such as the Bog Orchid, the Killarney Fern and the Tufted Salt-marsh Grass.<ref name="National Parks & Wildlife Service">{{cite web|url=http://www.npws.ie |title=National Parks & Wildlife Service |publisher= |accessdate=2010-10-08}}. Npws.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> There are also vulnerable species like Lesser Snapdragon, Meadow Barley, Small-white Orchid, Opposite-leaved Pondweed, Betony, Red Hemp Nettle, Narrow-leaved Helleborine, Lanceolate Spleenwort, Annual Knawel and Basil Thyme.

====Woodlands====
Surveys of woodlands of County Kilkenny include ''A Woodland Survey of Kilkenny'', undertaken in 1997 to identify woodlands in the county and ''A survey of broadleaved woodlands in three special Areas of Conservation, Barrow-Nore, River Unshin and Lough Forbes (2000)'' which covers some of County Kilkenny,<ref name=brown2000>({{Harvnb|Brown|2000}})</ref>  and ''National Survey of Native Woodlands (NSNW) 2003-2008'' which was one of the largest ecological surveys to be completed in Ireland and did its fieldwork in the county in 2003.<ref name="Perrin2008">({{Harvnb|Perrin|2008}})</ref>

Estimates of the '''woodlands in County Kilkenny''' include the ''Forest Inventory Planning System (1998)'' which estimated Kilkenny had 2251&nbsp;ha of mixed woodland and broadleaf woodland not dominated by beech, representing 1.09% of the county and the ''National Forest Inventory 2004 and 2006'' which estimated that 11,000 acres of the county is native forested land, Scots pine was regarded as non-native, representing 2.15% of the county.<ref name=native-woodlands>
{{Cite book
| editor-last = Perrin
| editor-first = Philip
| editor2-last = Martin
| editor2-first = James
| editor3-last =  Barron
| editor3-first = Simon
| editor4-last =  O'Neill
| editor4-first = Fionnuala
| editor5-last =  Kate
| editor5-first = McNutt
| title= The National Survey of Native Woodlands 2003-2008
| volume= Volume 1
| format= PDF
| accessdate=24 September 2010
| year =  2008
| page = 187
| place =  Dublin
| publisher = National Parks & Wildlife Service
| url = http://www.npws.ie/en/media/NPWS/Publications/Reports/Media,6688,en.pdf
| doi =
| id =
| ref = harv}}
</ref>

The best quality sites in the county in terms of their conservation value include [[Kylecorragh Wood]] (SAC) along the [[River Nore]],<ref name=nore>[[River Barrow]] and [[River Nore]] (SAC) (IE0002162). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4175,en.pdf Site Synopsis] - National Parks and Wildlife Service, [[Republic of Ireland]]. Natura 2000 ([http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0002162 data set]) - European Environment Agency.</ref> Grenan Wood (SAC), Knockadrina, Garryricken North (NHA/SNR), Ballytobin/Ballaghtobin, Brownstown Wood (NHA/SAC), Kyleadohir Wood (NHA/SNR), Brown's Wood, [[Thomastown]], Ballykeefe Wood, Cullentragh, Rossenarra, Newrath and Garryricken South.<ref name=native-woodlands /> The most threatened forested area in the county is Greatwood.<ref name=native-woodlands />

The main governmental organisations responsible for ensuring the development of forestry within Kilkenny are the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service. There are legislative measures which recognise the importance of trees woodlands and hedgerows and provide for their protection including the ''Forestry Act (1946)'' and ''Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)''. These stop trees being cut down unless a notice of intention is given and prohibit the cutting of hedges within the bird nesting period.  The main threats come mainly from invasive species, heavy grazing and damaging activities such as non-native planting, native felling and dumping.<ref name=native-woodlands /> There are instances of felling (both legal and illegal) of ash trees for the production of hurleys.<ref name=native-woodlands />

There are around 180 significant trees in County Kilkenny included in the Tree Register of Ireland,<ref>[http://www.treecouncil.ie/tree_register_of_ireland.htm Register of Ireland]{{dead link|date=October 2010}}</ref> compiled by the Tree Council of Ireland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://treecouncil.ie |title=Tree Council of Ireland Website |publisher= |accessdate=2010-10-08}}. Treecouncil.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> based on characteristics such as age, height, diameter, historical or folklore connections. The tallest tree in Kilkenny is a Silver Fir of 17 ft 8 in x 141 ft, located at [[Woodstock Estate|Woodstock Gardens]] in [[Inistioge]] and the tree with the largest girth is a Common Lime of 29 ft 6 in x 88 ft 6 in, located at Coolmore House in [[Thomastown]]. At present there under the ''Planning and Development Act (2000)'' there are four Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) in County Kilkenny for the protection of trees, groups of trees and woods of amenity value. These include Oldcourt in [[Inistioge]], Keatingstown, Barna in [[Freshford]], Sawney's Wood in [[Castlecomer]] and the [[Kilkenny Castle|Castle Gardens]] in [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]].

====Gardens====
Gardens include Kilfane Glen in [[Thomastown]], Woodstock Garden in [[Inistioge]], the Discover Park in [[Castlecomer]], Darver House garden in [[Jenkinstown Park|Jenkinstown]], ''Coolcashin Garden'' near [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], Emoclew Garden in [[Goresbridge]], Shankill Gardens & Castle in [[Paulstown]], [[Rothe House|Rothe Family Garden]] in [[Kilkenny]], Dahlia garden in [[The Rower]] and the rose garden at [[Kilkenny Castle]]. Hedgerows also have historical significance as townland and field boundaries.

====Trails====
The [[Nore Valley Way]] is a long-distance trail under development. When completed it will begin in [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] and end in [[Inistioge]].<ref name="People">{{cite news |title=Next step of Nore Valley walk is completed |url=http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/local/next_step_of_nore_valley_walk_is_completed_1_2175001 |newspaper=Kilkenny People |date=11 October 2010 |accessdate=7 August 2011 }}</ref> It is designated as a [[long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland|National Waymarked Trail]] by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by Trail Kilkenny,<ref name="Trails">{{cite web |url=http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Nore-Valley-Walk--Inistioge-to-Thomastown-Section--/25/ |title=Nore Valley Way |work=IrishTrails |publisher=Irish Sports Council |accessdate=7 August 2011 }}</ref> a group made up of representatives of Kilkenny County Council, County Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, Kilkenny Sports Partnership and local landowners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trailkilkenny.ie/about-us/ |title=About Us |work=Trail Kilkenny |accessdate=7 August 2011 }}</ref>
The scenic South Leinster Way, a very scenic trail, journeys along the lower Barrow Valley before leaving the riverside at Graiguenamanagh to traverse the lower slopes of Brandon Hill.

==History==
[[Image:Kilkenny St Canice Cathedral SW 2007 08 28.jpg|thumb|left|[[St Canice's Cathedral]] and round tower around which Kilkenny developed]]

County Kilkenny takes its name from the city of [[Kilkenny]]. Kilkenny is the anglicised version of the Irish ''Cill Chainnigh'', meaning ''Church (Cell) 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.

The Kingdom of Osraige was one of the ancient Kingdoms of Ireland.  The Kings of Osraige, the FitzPatrick family, reigned over Osraige and Cill Chainnigh was their stronghold. The Kingdom of Ossory existed from at least the 2nd century until the 13th century AD. The current ecclesiastical dioceses of that area is still known as Ossory. The mediæval Diocese of Ossory<ref>Downham, "Career", p. 7; Mac Niocaill, ''Ireland before the Vikings'', pp. 3&ndash;4.</ref> and was established in AD 549,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/osso0.htm |title=Diocese of Ossory |publisher= |accessdate=2010-10-08}}. GCatholic.org. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> and its territory corresponded to the mediæval Kingdom of Ossory. In historic times, Kilkenny replaced [[Aghaboe]] as the chief church in Osraige.

The kingdom was bounded by two of [[the Three Sisters]], the rivers [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[River Suir|Suir]] and the northern limit was, generally, the [[Slieve Bloom Mountains]].  The Osraige &mdash;their name means people of the Deer&mdash; inhabited much of modern County Kilkenny and parts of neighbouring [[County Laois]]. To the west and south, Osraige was bounded by the [[River Suir]], to the east the watershed of the [[River Barrow]] marked the boundary with Leinster, and to the north it extended into and beyond the [[Slieve Bloom Mountains]].  The River Nore ran through the Kingdom.

Osraige formed the easternmost part of the kingdom and province of [[Munster]] until the middle of the 9th century, after which it was attached to Leinster. Osraige was largely a buffer state between [[Leinster]] and [[Munster]]. Its most significant neighbours were the Loígsi, Uí Cheinnselaig and Uí Baircche of Leinster to the north and east and the Déisi Muman, Eóganacht Chaisil and Éile of Munster to the south and west.<ref>Byrne, ''Irish kings and high-kings'', maps on pp. 133 & 172&ndash;173; Charles-Edwards, ''Early Christian Ireland'', p. 236, map 9 & p. 532, map 13.</ref>

The name Osraige is said to be from the Usdaie, a Celtic tribe that Ptolemy's map of Ireland places in roughly the same area that Osraige would later occupy. The territory indicated by Ptolemy probably included the major late Iron Age hill-fort at [[Freestone Hill]] which produced some Roman finds. Also the interesting burial at [[Stoneyford, County Kilkenny|Stoneyford]] which is of typical Roman type and probably dates to the 1st century AD.<ref name="Knock">{{Harvnb|Knock|2006|p=284}}</ref> The Osraighe themselves claimed to be descended from the Érainn people. Others propose that the Ivernic groups included the Osraige of the Kingdom of Osraige/Ossory.<ref>James MacKillop, ''Dictionary of Celtic Mythology'', Oxford University Press, Oxford & New York, 1998</ref> The Brigantes were the only Celtic tribe to have a presence in both England and Ireland, in the latter of which they could be found around Kilkenny, [[County Wexford|Wexford]] and [[County Waterford|Waterford]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iron_age.html|publisher=WesleyJohnston.com|title=Celtic Ireland in the Iron Age|date=24 October 2007}}</ref>

[[File:MarriageAoifeStrongbow.jpg|thumb|''The Marriage of Aoife and Strongbow'' (1854) by Daniel Maclise, a romanticised depiction of the union between the Aoife MacMurrough and Strongbow in the ruins of [[Waterford]].]]

Pope Adrian IV gave Norman King Henry II of England permission to claim Ireland 1154. The Cisternians came to Jerpoint and Kilkenny around 1155/60. Jerpoint Abbey is founded by Donal MacGiollaPhadruig, King of Ossory 1158. In 1168, Dermot MacMurrough the King of Leinster was driven out of his kingdom by Rory O'Connor the High King of Ireland with the help of Tiernan O'Rourke. MacMurrough looked for help from Henry II and got help from a Cambro-Norman lord notable Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, known to history as Strongbow. MacMurrough secured the services of Richard, promising him the hand of his daughter Aoife of Leinster and the succession to Leinster. Richard and other Marcher barons and knights by King Henry assembled an army. The army, under Raymond le Gros, took [[Wexford]], [[Waterford]] and [[Dublin]] in 1169 and 1170, and Strongbow joined them in August 1170. The day after the capture of Waterford, he married MacMorrough's daughter, Aoife.

The Lordship of Ireland was a lordship created in the wake of the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169—71.  Kilkenny formed part of the lordship of Leinster. Strongbow became Lord of Leinster in 1171.

Following the Norman invasion, the island of Ireland was divided into thirty-two counties. The [[Republic of Ireland]] today is made up of twenty-six of the traditional thirty-two counties with the other six forming [[Northern Ireland]].

== Climate ==
[[File:Pasture at Listerlin, Co.Kilkenny - geograph.org.uk - 213470.jpg|thumb|left|Pasture at Listerlin, County Kilkenny.]]
The climate of County Kilkenny, like the climate of Ireland, is a changeable oceanic climate with few extremes.  It is defined as a temperate oceanic climate, or ''Cfb'' on the [[Köppen climate classification]] system. Kilkenny lies in plant Hardiness zone
9. Weatherwise, the county is generally representative of wide river valleys in the region with low temperatures on cloudless nights,<ref name="KK climate dataB">From the [http://www.met.ie/ official website] of Met Éireann; see  {{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/kilkenny.asp|title=Kilkenny (Weather Observing Stations)}}</ref> and 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 {{convert|33.3|°C|°F}}, at [[Kilkenny Castle]] on 26 June 1887.<ref name="IRE climate data">From the [http://www.met.ie/ official website] of [[Met Éireann]]; see {{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp|title=Temperature in Ireland}}</ref>

The Met Éireann Kilkenny Weather Observing Station, a mile north-west of [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] centre, on the Duningstown Road, opened in May 1957,<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> and observations ceased in April 2008.<ref name="KK climate data2A">From the [http://www.kilkennyweather.com/ official website] of ''kilkennyweather.com''; see {{cite web|url=http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/about-us|title=About us|publisher=kilkennyweather.com}}</ref> A climatological station is currently in operation within 1&nbsp;km of the old site, and as of March 2010, was providing live weather data to the general public and climate data to Met Éireann.<ref name="KK climate data2A" />

The maximum temperature recorded at the Met Station was {{convert|30.8|°C|°F}} on 2 August 1995.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> Extremes recorded at the station include the highest air temperature of {{convert|31.5|°C|°F}} on 29 June 1976, the lowest air temperature of {{convert|-14.1|°C|°F}} on 2 January 1979 and the lowest ground temperature of {{convert|-18.1|°C|°F}} on 12 January 1982.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The maximum daily sunshine was 16.3 hours on 18 June 1978.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The warmest and sunniest month on record in Kilkenny was August 1995 with a total of 274.9&nbsp;hours sunshine and very high temperatures throughout.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The maximum daily sunshine was 16.3&nbsp;hours on 18&nbsp;June 1978.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The overall trend in temperatures has been on the rise with a marked increase from 1988 onwards.<ref name="KK climate data2B">From the [http://www.kilkennyweather.com/ official website] of ''kilkennyweather.com''; see {{cite web|url=http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/climate-change|title=Climate}}</ref> Annual temperatures are running over 0.5 degrees above 20th century levels.<ref name="KK climate data2B" />

The maximum daily rainfall recorded at Kilkenny station was {{convert|66.4|mm|in}} on 17 July 1983.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The late 1950s and early 1960s were wet but rainfall had been steady throughout the century.<ref name="KK climate data2B" /> 2002 was a very wet year and since 2005 annual rainfall has been increased steadily, with 2009 being the wettest year since records commenced in 1958.<ref name="KK climate data2B" /> At the centre of the county, [[Kilkenny]] is in a sheltered location, over 60&nbsp;km inland and is surrounded by hills over 200m, which ensures that it is not a windy location.<ref name="KK climate data2A" /> The highest wind gust of 77&nbsp;knots, from a south-west direction, was recorded on 12 January 1974.<ref name="KK climate dataB" />

== Landmarks ==

=== Architecture ===
The architecture of County Kilkenny contains features from all eras since the Stone Age including Norman and Anglo-Irish castles, Georgian urban buildings, towns and villages with unique architectures, palladian and rococo country houses, Gothic and neo-Gothic cathedrals and buildings. In the late 20th century a new economic climate resulted in a renaissance of culture and design, with some at the cutting edge of modern architecture. County Kilkenny contains varied architecture including passage graves, ringforts, Irish round towers, castles, churches and cathedrals, abbeys and priories, bridges and roads, and townhouses of varying style.

==== Early architecture ====
[[File:The Gowran Ogham Stone.jpg|thumbnail|right|The Gowran Ogham Stone. Christianised c.6th Century. On display in St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran]]
[[File:Kilmogue Portal Dolmen - geograph.org.uk - 103548.jpg|thumb|Leac an Scail, Kilmogue Portal  [[Dolmen]]]]
Evidence of Neolithic settlement can be found throughout the county. There are great burial mounds including the portal tombs and dolmens at Owning, Harristown and Borrismore. There are passage graves at Clomantagh Hill and Knockroe. There were non-megalith single-grave burial tombs, Linkardstown-type Cists, excavated at Jerpoint West. These are late Neolithic and before the single-grave rite of the Bronze Age.<ref>{{Harvnb|Ryan|1973}},{{Harvnb|Moody|2005}}</ref> A Neolithic house was identified in [[Granny, County Kilkenny|Granny]] near [[Waterford]], making it the oldest house in County Kilkenny. The square house consisted of slot-trenches, internal floor surfaces, a hearth and wooden posts at each corner, one of the post-holes was radiocarbon-dated to 3997-3728 BC. A new form of early Neolithic pottery with a lip around the inside of the rim were found. This Granny pottery is similar to pottery found in the south-east of England.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hughes|2004}}, [http://www.nra.ie/Archaeology/BrochureandPosterSeries/file,3425,en.pdf NRA Brochure], [http://www.nra.ie/Archaeology/Seanda-NRAArchaeologyMagazine/file,11161,en.pdf Seanda - NRA Archaeology Magazine: 2006 Issue 1] (8 MB)</ref>

'''Ogham Stones -''' are found throughout County Kilkenny. The Gowran Ogham Stone which is on display in St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran is an example of a Christianised Ogham Stone. The Ogham lettering is from the 3rd/4th century. The Christian Cross was carved c.6th century following St. Patrck's arrival in Ireland in AD 432 The Ogham Stone was found on the site during the rebuilding of the Chancel in 1826. The Gowran Ogham Stone has survived to the present day due to the fact that it was used as a building stone in another part of the Church and lay undisturbed for centuries.

[[Passage grave]]s consisted of a central burial chamber, with a long passageway to the entrance. [[Knockroe]] contains a passage tomb which is protected by listing order. From some time beginning around the Iron Age, Ireland has thousands of [[ringfort]]s, or "raths". [[Carigeen]],  [[Danesfort]], [[Dunbell big]] and [[Tullaroan]] all contain ring forts protected by preservation order.

The round stone tower is one feature of ''early historic architecture'' not usually found outside Ireland with only three in [[Scotland]] and one on the [[Isle of Man]]. The tower at [[St Canice's Cathedral]] in [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] is a good example. Other round towers are situated around the county such as [[Tullaherin]] round tower, one near [[Bennettsbridge]], [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]], [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], and [[Aghaviller]] near [[Knocktopher]].

==== Castles ====
[[Image:KilkennyCastle.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kilkenny Castle]]]]

Kilkenny Castle is a castle in [[Kilkenny]]. It was the seat of the Butler family. Formerly the family name was FitzWalter. The castle was sold to the local Castle Restoration Committee in the middle of the 20th century for £50. Shortly afterwards it was handed over to the State, and has since been refurbished and is open to visitors. Part of the National Art Gallery is on display in the castle. There are ornamental gardens on the town side of the castle, and extensive land and gardens to the front. It has become one of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland.

[[Image:Foulksrath Castle 02.jpg|thumb|right|Foulksrath Castle]]
Foulksrath Castle is a 15th-century Anglo-Norman tower house located in [[Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny|Jenkinstown]] in County Kilkenny. It was built by the Purcell clan, who also constructed several others nearby. After over three centuries as owners, the family was reduced to living as peasants in the castle stables after it was confiscated by Oliver Cromwell and given to his officers after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland.

==== Churches ====
In mediæval times many fine churches in Ireland were also built such as St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran, St. Canice's Cathedral in [[Kilkenny]] and St. Mary's Cathedral.
[[File:St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran.jpg|thumbnail|left|St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran]]
St. Lachtain's Church, [[Freshford, County Kilkenny|Freshford]] was built in 1731, incorporating a portal from 1100 as its main entrance, all that is left of the original church is the beautiful Hiberno-Romanesque (Irish-Roman) architectural porch and doorway. The remainder of the present church was built for Protestant worship in 1731. In St. Lachtains time Freshford was a diocese. In 1225 a Bishops palace was built at Aghore (Achadh Ur), now Uppercourt. It was used as a summer residence for over 300 years.

==== Abbeys and priories ====
[[Image:Jerpoint Abbey E 1997 08 28.jpg|thumb|left|East front of Jerpoint Abbey]]
Jerpoint Abbey is a Cistercian abbey near [[Thomastown]]. It was constructed in 1180, probably on the site of an earlier [[Benedictine]] monastery built in 1160 by Domnall Mac Gilla Patraic, [[Kingdom of Osraige|King of Osraige]].<ref>''Illustrated Dictionary of Irish History.'' Mac Annaidh, S (ed). Gill and Macmillan, Dublin. 2001</ref> Jerpoint is notable for its stone carvings, including one at the tomb of Felix O'Dulany, [[Bishop of Ossory|Bishop]] of the [[Diocese of Ossory]] when the abbey was founded.

[[Image:Graiguenamanach Choir Window SE 1997 08 27.jpg|thumb|right|[[Duiske Abbey]] in [[Graiguenamanagh]]]]
Duiske Abbey in [[Graiguenamanagh]] founded in 1204 was one of the first and largest Cistercians monasteries in Ireland. What remains of the monastery is a large gothic church which beautifully dominates the town centre in Graiguenamanagh. The abbey derives its name from the river Duiske or Dúbh Uisce which flows through the town on its way to the river Barrow which also flows through this pretty town. Original floor tiles from the original building can be seen in the abbey along with the beautiful gothic and romanesque architecture.

The Black Abbey in Kilkenny, founded 1225, is a Dominican abbey with two-bay double-height lean-to lower aisle to south. It was extended, c.1325, with four-bay double-height transept to south having four-bay double-height lean-to lower aisle to west.

[[Image:Kells-Priory.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kells Priory]] in [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]]]]
Kells Priory is one of the largest mediæval historic monuments in Ireland. It is a National Monument and is in the guardianship of the Commissioners of Public Works. The priory is scenically situated alongside King's River, about ten miles south of [[Kilkenny]]. One of its most striking feature is a collection of mediæval tower houses spaced at intervals along and within walls which enclose a site of just over three acres. These give the priory the appearance more of a fortress than of a place of worship and from them comes its local name of "Seven Castles".

The [[Callan Augustinian Friary]] is situated in [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]]. It is known locally as the "Abbey Meadow" and is located at the North East of the town on the banks of the Kings Rover. Edmund Butler of Pottlerath, a noted patron of literature, successfully petitioned Pope Pius II for the foundation of the friary in 1461. After Edmund died in 1462, the actual buildings were erected by his son, James, probably after 1467 when he received a papal dispensation to marry his concubine, to whom he was related.

==== Eighteenth-Century Bridges ====
[[Image:Bennetsbridge42.jpg|thumb|left|Bennett's bridge in [[Bennettsbridge]] over the [[River Nore]].]]
There are many '''eighteenth-Century Bridges''' in County Kilkenny. These bridges are an important element of the civil engineering and transport heritage of County Kilkenny and so are included in the of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) Building Survey.<ref>[http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/highlights.jsp?county=KK&list=true Kilkenny Building Survey Highlights].''National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH)''</ref>

The Great Flood of 1763 washed away many of the major bridges crossing the [[River Nore]] and a comprehensive rebuilding programme was initiated. Many of the bridges are built to designs prepared by George Smith (1763-7), a pupil of [[George Semple]] and they feature Classical-style detailing indicating the lasting influence of the illustrations included in [[Andrea Palladio]]'s ''I quattro libri dell'architettura'' (1570). Smith designed Green's Bridge in [[Kilkenny]] Town, [[Castlecomer]] Bridge on the Dinin (Deen) River; [[Thomastown]] Bridge on the River Nore; [[Graiguenamanagh]] Bridge on the River Barrow and [[Inistioge]] Bridge on the River Nore.

Other eighteenth-Century Bridges include; the bridges in  [[Goresbridge]], [[Bennettsbridge]], [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]], Threecastles, Dinin Bridge and the bridge at [[Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel|Mount Juliet]].

=== Tourist attractions ===
[[Image:Dunmore cave, County Kilkenny.jpg|thumb|left|Dunmore Cave]]
In County Kilkenny [[Jerpoint Abbey]] near [[Thomastown]], [[Kells Priory]] at [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]]. [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] including [[St Canice's Cathedral]] and [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St Mary's Cathedral]], [[Rothe House]] and [[Kilkenny Castle]].

Dunmore Cave is a show cave in Ballyfoyle, with a tourist centre established at the site. As well as a variety of [[speleothem|cave formations]], it is also one of the most documented archaeological sites in Ireland. [[Jenkinstown Park]] is about {{convert|10|km|mi}} north of the town of [[Kilkenny]] and {{convert|11|km|mi}} south of [[Castlecomer]] off the N78 road.

== Infrastructure ==
=== Transport ===
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) provides rail services from Dublin to Waterford which pass through Kilkenny MacDonagh Station in [[Kilkenny]] and Thomastown railway station. Waterford railway station is located just outside County Kilkenny. The stations served are Dublin Heuston, Newbridge, Kildare, Athy, Carlow, Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), Kilkenny, Thomastown, Waterford Plunkett. Since Kilkenny is a stub station, reversal is necessary. Non Passenger trains such as the DFDS Freight train from Ballina - Waterford avoid Kilkenny by using Lavistown loop which joins both lines going into Kilkenny. All direct services are operated by 22000 railcars. There is a service every 2 hours.

Bus Éireann and JJ Kavanagh and Sons provide bus services throughout the county.

Kilkenny Airport is a small airport located a mile west of Kilkenny. There are six powered resident aircraft and two gliders based at the aerodrome.

=== Notable people ===
*  Edmund Ignatius Rice, founder of the Irish Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers
* James Hoban (1762–1831) was an architect, born near [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]], best known for designing the White House in Washington, D.C.
* Seamus Moore, a novelty singer best known for ''The JCB Song''
* Thomas Nash, Irish fisherman, settled in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Founder of Branch, Newfoundland and Labrador <ref>http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=12903</ref>

===County Anthem===
The song The Rose of Mooncoin is the traditional anthem of the county at GAA fixtures.<ref name=di-mooncoin>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-places-to-go/placefinder/m/mooncoin-kilkenny/ |title=Mooncoin - Kilkenny |work=discoverireland.com |accessdate=2010-07-07}}</ref>

==Sport==
=== GAA ===
[[Image:Flag of county Kilkenny.svg|thumb|right|Kilkenny Flag]]
In hurling, the dominant sport in the county, Kilkenny GAA compete annually in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, which they have won thirty-three times, the [einster Senior Hurling Championship, which they have won sixty-four times, and the National Hurling League, which they have won thirteen times. Kilkenny, along with Cork and Tipperary, are regarded as 'the Big Three' in the world of hurling. Brian Cody has been manager of the Kilkenny senior hurling team since 1998.

The Kilkenny flag or county colours are black and amber. The County Kilkenny hurling team, Tullaroan, were the first Kilkenny team to wear the famous black and amber colours. In 1886, after winning the first-ever county championship in Kilkenny they held a fund-raising event in Tullaroan to provide the team with a playing strip. After intensive debate and consultations the club chose the black and amber stripes as the design for the jerseys that they would wear against Limerick that August.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fitzgerald}}</ref>

=== Horse racing ===
Gowran Park is a horse racing course near [[Gowran]]. The first meeting was held in 1914 and the racecourse hosts 16 race days throughout the year including the Thyestes Chase (The [[Grand National]] of the South), one of the prestigious steeplechases in Ireland which has been won by three time [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]] Winner, [[Arkle]] in 1964 and [[Aintree]] Grand National winners Hedgehunter and Numbersixvalverde. It has 16 National Hunt and Flat meetings all year round.

=== Golf ===
Mount Juliet Golf Course is a golf resort situated in [[Thomastown]]. It was the venue for the 2002 and 2004 WGC-American Express Championship, having previously hosted the European Tour's Irish Open on three occasions between 1993 and 1995. The par 72, 7,300-yard Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course opened in 1991, and was voted ''Best Parkland Golf Course'' by Backspin Golf Magazine in March 2008. It is famous for its rolling fairways, feature water hazards and contoured greens. There is also a full 18-hole putting course set in the grounds of Mount Juliet House, which is the venue for the annual National Putting Championship.

Kilkenny Golf Club is 18-hole championship parkland course within the town to the North West, close to town centre. It hosted several Professional Championship events. In 1984 and 1996, it was the venue for the All Ireland Mixed Foursome Finals and in 1985 hosted the All Ireland Cups and Shields Finals. The course is mostly flat terrain with an abundance of trees. Around Kilkenny City there is also a Driving Range in Newpark and an 18-hole all weather Par 3 golf course in Pocoke.

Other golf courses include Gowran Park Golf Course in [[Gowran]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gowranpark.ie/ |title=Gowran Park Golf Course |publisher= |accessdate=2010-10-08}}. Gowranpark.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> Callan Golf Club in [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.callangolfclub.com/ |title=Callan Golf Club |publisher= |work=callangolfclub.com |accessdate=2010-10-08}}.</ref> Castlecomer Golf Club in [[Castlecomer]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.castlecomergolf.com/ |title=Castlecomer Golf Club |publisher= |work=castlecomergolf.com |accessdate=2010-10-08}}.</ref> Mountain View Golf Course in [[Ballyhale]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mviewgolf.com/ |title=Mountain View Golf Course |publisher= |work=mviewgolf.com |accessdate=2010-10-08}}. .</ref> and Carrigleade Golf Course in [[Graiguenamanagh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://carrigleadegolf.wordpress.com/ |title=Carrigleade Golf Course |publisher= |work=carrigleadegolf.wordpress.com |accessdate=2010-10-08}}.</ref>

== References ==

=== Footnotes ===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
<ref name=brown2000>Browne et al. (2000). A survey of broadleaf woodlands in three SACs: Barrow-Nore, River Unshin and Lough Forbes:</ref>
}}

=== Further reading ===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite journal
| last =Census
| first =
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = Population of each Province, County and City, 2006
| place =
| publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]]
| year = 2006
| volume =
| edition =
| url = http://www.cso.ie/statistics/popofeachprovcountycity2006.htm
| doi =
| id =
| isbn =
| ref=harv
| postscript =. }}
* {{cite book
  | last =  Edwards
  | first = David
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title = The Ormond Lordship in County Kilkenny, 1515-1642: The Rise and Fall of Butler Feudal Power
  | publisher = Four Courts Press
  | year = 2000
  | location =
  | pages =
  | url =
  | doi =
  | id =
| ref=harv
  | isbn = 1-85182-578-9}}
* {{cite book
  | last = Lewis
  | first = Samuel
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =
  | title = A Topgrahical Dictionary of Ireland
  | publisher = S. LEWIS & Co. 87, ALDERSGATE STREET.
  | year = 1837
  | location = London
  | pages =
  | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/k4.php
  | doi =
  | id =
| ref=harv
  | isbn =}}
*{{Cite book
 | last =Hughes
 | first = J. Forthcoming
 | author-link =
 | year =2004
 | contribution =Two Neolithic structures in Granny Townland, County Kilkenny
 | title =Recent archaeological discoveries on national road schemes 2004
 | editor-last =O’Sullivan
 | editor-first =Jerry
 | editor2-last =Stanley
 | editor2-first =Michael
 | publisher =Wordwell Book Sales
 | publication-place =Dublin 18 Ireland
 | isbn= 0-9545955-1-3
 | ref=harv
 | postscript =.
}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Fitzgerald
 | first = John
 | authorlink =
 | coauthors =
 | title = Kilkenny a blast from the past
 | publisher = Callen Press
 | location =
 | pages =
 | url =
 | doi =
 | id =
 |ref=harv
 | isbn = }}
*{{cite book
 | last = Moody
 | first = Theodore William
 | authorlink =
 | coauthors = Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, Francis X. Martin, Francis John Byrne, Art Cosgrove
 | title = A New History of Ireland: Prehistoric and early Ireland
 | publisher = Oxford University Press
 | year =2005
 | location =
 | pages =
 | url =http://books.google.com/?id=SJSDj1dDvNUC
 | doi =
 | id =
| ref=harv
 | isbn = 978-0-19-821737-4}}
* {{Cite book
| editor-last = Perrin
| editor-first = Philip
| editor2-last = Martin
| editor2-first = James
| editor3-last =  Barron
| editor3-first = Simon
| editor4-last =  O'Neill
| editor4-first = Fionnuala
| editor5-last =  Kate
| editor5-first = McNutt
| title= The National Survey of Native Woodlands 2003-2008
|volume= Volume 1
| format= PDF
| accessdate=24 September 2010
| year =  2008
| page = 187
| place =  Dublin
| publisher = National Parks & Wildlife Service
| url = http://www.npws.ie/en/media/NPWS/Publications/Reports/Media,6688,en.pdf
| doi =
| id =
|ref=harv
}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Ryan
 | first = M.F.
 | authorlink =
 | coauthors =
 | title = The excavation of a Neolithic burial mound at Jerpoint West, Co. Kilkenny
 | publisher =
 | year = 1973
 | location =
 | pages =
 | url =
 | doi =
 | id =
| ref=harv
 | isbn = }}
{{Refend}}

==Outside links==
{{Commonscat|County Kilkenny}}
*[http://www.kilkenyweather.com/ Live Weather and Climate for Kilkenny]

{{Irish county}}