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| KILKENNY SITES |
KILKENNY CASTLE
 This superb castle
is located on elevated ground beside the river at the south-eastern
end of the city. The castle was built in the thirteenth century
on the site of an earlier fort. However, the present building
is vastly different from the stronghold erected by Strongbow
in the middle ages. Despite this, the present structure retains
the architectural lines of a medieval castle. The building forms
three sides of a quadrangle, with three of the four original
round towers intact. The Butlers, the Earls of Ormonde (an Hibernicised
Norman clan), occupied the castle from the fourteenth century
onwards. In modern times, the castle has been restored to its
former glory by the state, and was officially open to the public
in 1976. There is an exhibition hall open to the public in the
Old Castle Stables.
Kilkenny Castle provides guided tours, an art gallery, a
café during summer, extensive grounds and a childrens play
area.
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JERPOINT ABBEY, Thomastown,Co. Kilkenny
 An outstanding
Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century.
The church with its Romanesque details dates from this period.
In the transept chapels the visitor can see 13th and 16th century
tomb sculpture. The tower and cloister date from the 15th century.
The chief delight of the Abbey is the sculptured cloister arcade
with unique carvings. The Visitor Centre houses an interesting
exhibition. Access for visitors with disabilities. Guided tours
available.
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NATIONAL CRAFTS GALLERY
 The National
Crafts Gallery is located in Castle Yard directly across from
Kilkenny Castle. This gallery was initiated by the Crafts Council
of Ireland with the objective of stimulating an innovative and
quality design ethos in the Irish crafts sector. The gallery
boasts an impressive range of craft exhibitions that successfully
communicate and showcase the cultural and commercial attributes
of the craft sector in Ireland.
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 SHEE ALMS HOUSE
Shee Alms House is situated in Rose Inn Street and was founded
in 1582 by Sir Richard Shee. The purpose of these institutions
was to take care of the poor, and this Tudor Alms House is one
of the last remaining buildings of its type still in existence
in Ireland. The building has been recently restored and now
accommodates the Kilkenny Tourist Office.
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 THE THOSEL
This central Kilkenny landmark dates from 1761. Erected by Alderman
William Colles, the Thosel served as the market for the city
(the word 'thosel' means literally a marketplace). Architecturally,
the building has a double length arcade with an impressive Georgian
Council Chamber room positioned above the arcade. There is a
clock tower on the steeply pitched roof, and the southern wall
contains the Kilkenny coat of arms. The original building was
badly damaged after a fire in 1987, but has since been completely
restored, and now serves as the City Hall.
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ROTHE HOUSE
 This magnificent
sixteenth century Tudor town house is situated on Parliament
Street. Built in 1594 by John Rothe, the building consists of
three houses with courtyards. Rothe House currently houses the
museum and library of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society.
Within the museum there are a number of exhibits including period
costume displays and a genealogical centre.
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ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL
 The cathedral
is situated on James's Street, and dates from the mid nineteenth
century. The building is accessible from the Black Abbey via
Black Mill Street. St. Mary's boasts a 200ft high tower and
superbly carved altars. |
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BLACK ABBEY
 William Marshall
(Earl of Pembroke) founded the Black Abbey in 1225 for the Dominicans.
This impressive building is situated on Abbey Street, and features
a tower and some magnificent windows dating from the original
the original structure. The Dominican abbey was dissolved in
the sixteenth century and subsequently became a courthouse.
Fortunately, the abbey was restored to its former glory in the
nineteenth century enabling it to be reopened as a church. At
the Abbey entrance, one can find a series of monumental slabs
and stone coffins dating from the middle ages. |
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 BLACK FREREN GATE
Black Freren Gate is located in close proximity to the Black
Abbey on Abbey Street. This landmark is the sole existing remnant
of the entrance gates in the medieval city walls. |
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ST. FRANCIS'S ABBEY
 William Marshall
(Earl of Pembroke) founded St. Francis's Abbey in the thirteenth
century. In recent years, the Abbey has been the oratory of
Smithwick's Brewery, famous for 'Smithwicks' and 'Kilkenny'
ales. The building features a bell tower, a Chancel, and the
superb east window. In the sixteenth century the Abbey was possessed
by the state and given to the corporation. Fortunately, the
building has been completely renovated in recent years. |
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MOUNT JULIET, Thomastown,Co. Kilkenny
 Deep amid the
rolling hill of Ireland's beautiful south east, lies Mount Juliet,
Twelfth Century origins. A leisurely pace of life and a traditionally
generous hospitality combine with world-class sporting amenities
and conference facilities, making Mount Juliet a place of contrast
and surprises, unique in its combination of old and new. A sporting
Paradise, rich in history and tradition. Nothing can prepare
you for the warmth of its welcome. Enjoy golf, horse riding,
shooting, tennis and the spa and leisure centre. Or simply relax
in the most idyllic surroundings imaginable.
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ST. CANICE'S CATHEDRAL
 St. Canice's
was erected in the thirteenth century, and is accessible from
Irishtown via St. Canice's Steps. The cathedral features a magnificent
tower that offers impressive views of the city. The cathedral
evolved over the centuries and was unfortunately damaged by
Oliver Cromwell's troops in the seventeenth century. This Kilkenny
landmark features a fascinating collection of monuments and
tombs dating from the Tudor era.
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KILKENNY COURTHOUSE (formerly Grace's Castle)
 Kilkenny Courthouse
formerly known as Grace's Castle is presently used for sittings
of the Circuit and District Courts.The site was originally a
town house of the wealthy Grace family who leased the building
to the crown in 1566. Used as a jail from 1566, it was transformed
into a courthouse around the end of the 18th century. |
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