Kilkenny Castle
The first stone castle was built on this site in the mid-13th century by William Mashall. (son-in-law to the famous Anglo-Norman Knight Richard De Clare - "Strongbow") The Castle was purchased by the locally famous "Butler's of Ormonde" in the late 14th century and remained in the family until the 20th century. (Except for a few years during the Cromwellian invasion in the mid-17th century.)
The Medieval Mile Museum
The 13th-century St Mary’s church in Kilkenny is one of the finest examples of a medieval church in Ireland. As the starting point of the Medieval Mile trail, it brings to life Kilkenny’s history as Ireland’s premier medieval city. Displays of Kilkenny’s civic treasures and replicas of some of the High Crosses of Ossory illustrate the local Gaelic monastic heritage and the ancient city’s historic role in Ireland.
Kilkenny’s 800-year story is told with a contemporary twist within the new museum. The customer experience contains a long colorful interactive table similar to a giant iPad, an elongated plasma TV screen, and projected imagery onto a giant wall allowing visitors to get immersed in the rich history with the aid of modern technology.
Kyteler's Inn
Since Kyteler's Inn was first established in the 13th Century, it has welcomed visitors and has provided them with good food and beverages. Its original owner, Dame Alice De Kyteler, holds a special place in local history as she was married 4 times. She became rich from her many marriages and eventually, local envy and bitterness led her to be accused of witchcraft (fueled in no small part by the sudden and unexpected death of all four of her husbands!) and she was sentenced to be burned at the stake. Her powerful, local connections, however, helped her escape to England before the sentence could be carried out.
Today, Kyteler's Inn is a wonderful place to have a quick coffee or a meal and explore its medieval charm.
The Black Abbey
The Dominican priory (also known as “The Black Abbey”) in Kilkenny City was founded in 1225 by William Marshal the younger, earl of Pembroke. The reason for the name “Black Abbey” referred to the Dominican order who were known as the “Black Friars” due to the black cloak that they wore over their white vestments.
Immediately behind the altar is the large stained-glass window known as the "Rosary Window", which is composed of five "lights" or great vertical panels, and is the largest stained glass window in Ireland. This window was created in 1892 by Mayers of Munich, and depicts the 5 mysteries of the rosary.
Rothe House
Rothe House is a late 16th-century merchant's townhouse. The complex was built by John Rothe Fitz - Piers in1610 and is made up of three houses, three enclosed courtyards, and a large reconstructed garden with an orchard. Rothe House is the only remaining example of its type in Ireland and considered to be nationally significant because of the range of original post-medieval features that survive.
Saint Canice's Cathedral
The name Kilkenny comes from the Irish Cill Cheannaigh ( The Church of St Canice). Saint Canice's Cathedral (also known as Kilkenny Cathedral), as it stands today, dates to the 13th century and is the second-longest Cathedral in Ireland. (Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin being the longest)
The round tower beside the church dates to the 9th century and is the only round tower in the country where visitors can climb to the top. The view from the top is spectacular and offers a panoramic view of Kilkenny city.
