Kilkenny - An Introduction

Kilkenny is situated in the South East of Ireland, in the County of Kilkenny. The city has a population of just over 8,500 people although the surrounding suburbs bring this figure to nearly 24,000 people. Kilkenny is the smallest city in Ireland, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in stature. Kilkenny is situated on the River Nore and is the only city in Ireland that is not affected by tides.

The history of Kilkenny, like the rest of Ireland, is often a bloody story. Kilkenny has a rich medieval heritage that is plainly visible to any visitor to the city. The city built up around the monastic settlement set up by Saint Canice during the 6th Century. It wasn’t until the 17th Century that the city that is now Kilkenny began to really develop. The Confederation ok Kilkenny was established in 1641 and with it came unprecedented growth of the city.

The medieval history of the city is still very evident today. There are many example of architecture throughout the city from medieval times. The main attraction in Kilkenny is Kilkenny Castle which was the seat of the Butler family in Ireland. The castle was sold to the Irish Government during the 20th Century for £50.

As a tourist destination, Kilkenny is very popular with visitors and Irish alike. The city has a vibrant night life, a great character and has a direct railway connection to Dublin. The road network between Dublin and Kilkenny is of an excellent standard. The Atlas Car Rental location at Dublin Airport is ideal for tourists wishing to travel onwards to Kilkenny.