It is situated 71 miles south west of Dublin on the banks of the River Nore. Kilkenny was made a city by James I in 1609. In fact, Anglo-Norman parliaments were held there between 1293 and 1408 and between 1642 and 1648. However, at the time of writing, the city is set to be downgraded to a town.

Attractions:

Kilkenny Castle dominates the centre of the town. It was built in 1195 by William Marshall, the son-in-law of Strongbow, the Norman conqueror of Ireland, to replace a wooden fortress built by Strongbow in 1172. It was bought in 1391 by the Butler family, the Earls and Dukes of Ormonde, and it was lived in by descendants of the Butlers until 1935.

Saint Canice’s Cathedral (c. 1251). There is a round tower beside the cathedral that dates back to between 700 and 1000 AD. For a small fee, you can climb to the top and admire the view.

The Cat Laughs annual comedy festival, held during the bank holiday weekend at the start of June, is very popular.

Also popular is the Kilkenny Arts Week festival in late August.

How to get there:

Bus Eireann runs seven buses a day to Dublin, and there are four trains a day to Dublin.