Page 150 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

148  IRELAND REGION B Y REGION

Exploring Kilkenny
Set in a lovely spot beside a kink
in the River Nore, Kilkenny is of
great architectural interest, with
much use made of the distinctive
local black lime stone, known
as Kilkenny marble. A tour of
the town also reveals many
unexpected treasures: a Georgian
façade often seems to conceal
a Tudor chimney, a Classical
interior or some other surprise.
The survival of the Irishtown
district, now dominated by
St Canice’s Cathedral, recalls
past segregation in Kilkenny. North side of Kilkenny Castle showing Victorian crenellations
The area once known as
English town still boasts the retains its medieval form, but has survived as one of Ireland’s
city’s grandest public buildings. has undergone many alterations. medieval treasures. Walls of the
As a brewery city, Kilkenny is a The Victorian changes made local Kilkenny limestone and
paradise for keen drinkers, with in Gothic Revival style have pillars of pale limestone combine
at least 60 pubs to choose from. had the most enduring impact. to create an interior of simple
Two wings of the castle grandeur. An array of splendid
have been restored to their 16th-century tombs includes the
19th-century splendour and beautiful effigies of the Butler
include a library, drawing family in the south transept. It is
room and the magnificent worth climbing the tower for a
Long Gallery with its restored fine view over Kilkenny.
picture collection. The final
phase of restoration includes R Black Abbey
a state-of-the-art conference Abbey St. Tel 056 772 1279.
centre, which is situated in Open daily. 7 ∑ kilkenny.ie
one of the castle’s beautiful Lying just west of Parliament
Sign of the Marble City Bar on 12th-century towers. Street, this Dominican abbey
Kilkenny’s High Street The castle grounds have was founded in 1225. Part of it
diminished considerably was turned into a courthouse in
+ Kilkenny Castle over the centuries, but the the 16th century, but is once
The Parade. Tel 056 770 4100. French Classical gardens again a working monastery. The
Open daily (check website for details). remain, with terraces opening church has a fine vaulted under-
Closed Good Fri & Christmas. & - onto a woodland walk and croft, distinctive stone work, some
^ 8 obligatory. 7 limited. Queues pleasant rolling parkland. beautiful stained-glass windows,
are likely during the summer. and a 14th-century alabaster
∑ kilkennycastle.ie R St Canice’s Cathedral statue of the holy trinity.
Built in the 1190s, Kilkenny Irishtown. Tel 056 776 4971.
Castle was occupied right Open daily. & = 7 Environs
up until 1935. The powerful ∑ stcanicescathedral.com Just north of the town lies
Butler family (see p146) lived in The hilltop cathedral, flanked by Dunmore Cave, a limestone
it from the late 14th century. a round tower, was built in the cavern with an impressive series
Their descendants eventually 13th century in an Early English of chambers, noted for its
donated Kilkenny Castle to the Gothic style. It was sacked by curious rock formations.
nation in 1967. Cromwell’s forces in 1650, but Bennettsbridge, on the
With its drum Nore 8 km (5 miles) south of
towers and Kilkenny, is famous for its
solid walls, ceramics. The Nicholas Mosse
the castle Pottery (see p337) specializes in
colourful earthenware made
from the local clay.

} Dunmore Cave
Ballyfoyle. Tel 056 776 7726.
Open Mar–Oct: 9:30am–5pm daily (to
6:30pm mid-Jun–mid-Sep); Nov–Feb:
9:30am–5pm Wed–Sun. & - 8
Tomb of 2nd Marquess of Ormonde in St Canice’s Cathedral obligatory. ∑ heritageireland.ie
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp297–8 and pp311–13

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm