Kilkenny is the county seat of County Kilkenny and is the smallest city in Ireland. Despite this, Kilkenney is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland and a favourite weekend getaway for the Irish. Kilkenny is located in the south east of Ireland and spans the River Nore. The name Kilkenny comes from the Irish term Cill Chainnigh, meaning 'The Church of St Canice'. Kilkenny has been an important town since pre-Christian times and is today home to almost 22,200 people.

Kilkenny has many popular attractions such as Kilkenny Castle, St Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower, Rothe House Museum, a brewery, Kells Priory, Black Abbey Church, St Fancis's Friary, St Mary's Cathedral and St Canice's Steps. Kilkenny is also well known for it's art work and the annual Kilkenny Arts Festival which takes place in August.

Kilkenny Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kilkenny and is one of the most magnificent fortresses in all of Ireland. Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow, built the first building here, a wooden tower, in 1172. In 1192, Strongbow's son-in-law added a stone castle with four towers, three of which remain on the site today. The castle also features the Long Gallery which houses paintings of the Butler family and ceiling paintings with Celtic and Pre-Raphaelite influences. The basement of the castle houses the Butler Gallery, the most important gallery outside of Dublin.

In the north of Kilkenny is St Canice's Cathedral which is one of the greatest cathedrals in Ireland. Construction of the cathedral began in 1251 on the site of an earlier church and was completed around 1820. The 14th century squat tower, transepts, clerestory and aisle walls are all topped with crenellations. There are many monuments in St Canice's Cathedral including the tombs of Henry de Ponto's son dating from 1285 (which is the oldest monument in the cathedral) and Edmund Purcell dating from 1549.

Attractions in Kilkenny

Below are a selection of Attractions located in Kilkenny, Ireland. Alternatively, you can browse through all Kilkenny Attractions.

Guesthouses in Kilkenny

Below are a selection of Guesthouses located in Kilkenny, Ireland. Alternatively, you can browse through all Kilkenny Guesthouses.

Hostels in Kilkenny

Below are a selection of Hostels located in Kilkenny, Ireland. Alternatively, you can browse through all Kilkenny Hostels.

NAME	LOCATION	RATE (from)	RATING
Kilkenny Inn Hotel (0.0000000) Vicar Street, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, , Ireland MORE INFORMATION \| MAKE AN ENQUIRY \| VIEW RATES	Kilkenny	€40.00
Kilkenny Tourist Hostel (-7.2548818) 35 Parliament Street, Kilkenny City, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, , Ireland MORE INFORMATION \| MAKE AN ENQUIRY \| VIEW RATES	Kilkenny	€16.00
Macgabhainns Backpackers Hostel (-7.2560405) 24 Vicar Street, , Kilkenny, Kilkenny, , Ireland MORE INFORMATION \| MAKE AN ENQUIRY \| VIEW RATES	Kilkenny	€15.00

Hotels in Kilkenny

Below are a selection of Hotels located in Kilkenny, Ireland. Alternatively, you can browse through all Kilkenny Hotels.