Kilkenny was the capital of Ireland until late into the 12th century. In 1366 the Statutes of Kilkenny were penned and the city, where the Irish Parliament was located, lent them its name. These statutes consisted of 19 parts that were essentially meant to keep the Irish people from having a "bad influence" on the Normans. They kept the Irish and the Normans from marrying one another and sharing the Irish customs and languages. Kilkenny remained the capital of Confederate Ireland until the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland when it surrendered in 1649.



Today, Kilkenny is the location of two outstanding schools. Kilkenny College was started in 1538 and, as such, is among the oldest schools in Ireland. Kilkenny College was the alma mater of some very famous people, including Jonathan Swift and George Berkeley. In 1782 St. Kieran's College, the first Catholic School in Ireland, was founded. Today, St. Kieran's is famous for its exceptional hurling team, which has turned out many famous sports figures.

Kilkenny is quite famous for its beautiful medieval buildings and is often called the "Marble City" because of its abundance of marble facades. To construct these buildings, Black Marble, also called Kilkenny Marble, was quarried from the area. The marble is black with many decorative white fossils. Some of the most noted buildings are Kilkenny Castle and Saint Canice's Cathedral.

Another thing Kilkenny is known for is brewing beer and ale. Kilkenny is the location of St. Francis Abbey Brewery, which was owned by the Guinness Ireland Group until the 1960s when it merged with another company to form Diageo. Diageo is the largest alcoholic beverage business in the world today.

Other sites that make Kilkenny one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kilkenny are the Black Abbey, the Canal Walk, St. Canice's Round Tower, Kytlers Inn, and the Courthouse.

Visitors to Kilkenny, Ireland will have a number of options for accommodations, including both hotels and holiday apartments.

Staying in Kilkenny, Ireland is sure to make you feel lucky. The city is beautiful and historic, making it a true pleasure to visit. Tourists in Kilkenny will find no shortage of charming accommodations with fantastic Irish hospitality.