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Kilkenny College stands on the site of St. John's College which was gounded in 1666 and in the year 1684 "the Duke of Ormond endowed it with various rectories and tithes." The College later became vested in the Crown. This was due to many political changes.
We read that "Dr. Houton, the Headmaster, went to England in 1688 and the College became broken up." "In 1689 King James the Second erected the College into the Royal College of St. Canice's, Kilkenny, of the foundation of King James and the College was then opened under the Presidency of the Catholic Bishop, Dr. Phelan. The change in management lasted about five months and in 1691, after the Battle of the Boyne, control of the College was resumed by a Protestant Faculty." Another eminent man of letters to pass through St. John's College was George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne (1685-1753). He was born near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Mr. Langrishe said in 1810: "Here Berkeley, Congrave, Swift in days of yore/ Lisped the first accents of their classic lore (Sparks, "Pen & Picture," p.42) (Quoted from Joseph C. O'Carroll's Historic Kilkenny, [7th ed., 2004], pp.51-52)
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There has been a castle on this site since 1172 when the Norman knight, Richard de Clare (d.1186), known as Strongbow built a wooden tower on a rocky height overlooking the River Nore. This strategic location was until then the stronghold of the Mac Gilla Patric the ancient kings of Ossory. Strongbow ensured his succession to the lordship of Leinster by his marriage to Aoife (1152-1189), daughter and heiress of Diarmuid Mac Murchadha (d.1171), King of Leinster. Some twenty years later, William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke (d.1219), married Isabel de Clare, Strongbow's daughter and heiress, and it was Marshal who built the first stone castle on this site, much of which survives today. This medieval castle was roughly square in plan with drum shaped towers at each corner, three of which still stand. The entrance was located in the now missing east wall, through a twin towered entrance gate. Kilkenny Castle is one of the few keep-less castles built at this time with no free-standing great tower within its walls.
The Butler family came to Ireland wit the first wave of the Norman invasion, rapidly acquiring great wealth and influence. Originally called Walter, they changed their name to Butler on acquiring the royal privilege of Chief Butler of Ireland in 1185. The family accumulated vast tracts of land in Tipperary and Kilkenny and, in 1391, James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormonde (d.1451) bought Kilkenny Castle, installing himself here as undisputed ruler of the area. This Butler dynasty was to dominate the south east of Ireland for over five hundred years. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the Butlers were politically and socially closer to England lifestyles than that of the native Irish chieftains. Black Tom of Tomas Dubh (1531-1614) was a typical young earl of the time. Raised as a Protestant at the English court, this handsome cousin of royalty established himself as one of Queen Elizabeth I's favorites. He built a beautiful manor house at Carrick-on Suir, Co. Tipperary, one of the first un-fortified houses in Ireland. Known as Ormonde Castle, it is now in State care.
Black Tom was succeeded by his nephew James Butler, 12th Earl and later 1st Duke of Ormonde (1610-1688). James was succeeded by his grandson, also James, as 2nd Duke of Ormonde (1665-1745). It appeared that the Butler family fortunes were now secure and it was at this time that the classical entrance gateway to the Castle was built. However, in 1715, James the 2nd Duke of Ormonde was attainted for treason by the English Parliament for his support of the Stuart cause, and fled to France where he lived in exile until Avignon in 1745. By the second half of the eighteenth century Kilkenny Castle was run down, as were the fortunes of the Butler family. The marriage of John Butler, 17th Earl of Ormonde (1740-1795), to Anne Wandesford (1739-1795) of Castlecomer restored the family fortunes and the Butlers benag to re-establish their prestige in the area. The nineteenth century Butlers embarked upon a major programme of work on the Castle in 1826 to restore it to its supposed 'mediaeval' appearance and also to update it as a country house with all the appropriate modern conveniences.
Two world wars in the twentieth century transformed the entire social order throughout Europe. Ireland changed dramatically too and elite families like the Butlers found their political and economic power eroded due to these upheavals. These changes affected the viability of remaining in Kilkenny Castle and in 1935 the family decided to leave. A ten-day auction disposed of its contents and the building was abandoned for the next thirty years. In 1967, Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess and 24th Earl of Ormonde (1893-1971) handed Kilkenny Castle over to the Castle Restoration Committee for the nominal sum of 50 pounds. *Extracted from "Kilkenny Castle: Visitors' Guide" (OPW & Kilkenny City)
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The Cathedral stands out as a landmark on the highest point of the city. It is in gothic style and built of local limestone. After the 8 o'clock mass on Sunday, August 18th, 1843 the foundation stone was laid by the Most Rev. Dr. Kincella. The Cathedral is on the site of the old mansion, Burrells Hall, which was the earliest foundation of St. Kieran's College. The Cathedral has a triple title viz. Saint Mary's, the cathedral of the Assumption and the Church of St. Kieran.
The construction of the Cathedral began after 1843 and continued during the famine years -- those years of forced emigration, coffin ships, starvation and even despair because of many thousands of our people who died from hunger and disease. But during turmoil and adversity, the splendid Cathedral continued to grow, thanks to the pennies and other coins of local devout people. (Edited and extracted from Joseph C. O'Carroll's Historic Kilkenny, [7th ed., 2004], pp.60-63)
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The year 1400 is given for the construction of the walls in Kilkenny by Robert Talbot, Hogan in his Kilkenny states that the walls were constructed in 1302 and repaired in 1400.
The town wall of Irishtown started at the Bregagh River, ran across Deans Gate and passed in front of the Cathedral door. the wall then ran to Troys Gate and ended up at the River Nore. (Extracted from Joseph C. O'Carroll's Historic Kilkenny, [7th ed., 2004], p.40)
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St. Canice was born about the year 516 in Glengiren in Derry. His father was a distinguished bard. The mother of the Saint was Maul or Mella. St. Canice and St. Columkille were pupils together in the school of Glasnevin in the year 543 and at the age of 28 he sought the shores of Britain to perfect himself in sacred knowledge and to prepare himself for his ordination to the priesthood. He set out for Rome in the year 546 and went to Aghaboe in 577. His death may have taken place before the year 600.
It is believed that he founded a cell and church on the site where St. Canice's Cathedral now stands. He gained the title "Builder of Churches" as his interest in church building extended outside Ireland. When he left Rome and before going to Aghaboe, he proceeded to Clonard in the Kingdom of Meath where he continued his studies under the celebrated St. Finian. "St. Canice is one of the Twelve Apostles of Erin and spent some time at Glasnevin with St. Movie. He resided for a period in Donegal but afterwards joined St. Columkille and St. Congall in a difficult mission to the Picts of Albany, where they converted King Brude." "St. Canice founded many churches in Scotland, such as Laggan Kenney, at the foot of the Grampians. He returned to Ireland where he built his first Irish monastery in Westmeath, called after him Kilkenny. He finally proceeded to Ossory where the King, Colman Mac Feradach, gave him several settlements for monasteries and churches: amongst which were Aghaboe and Kilkenny" --Gleeson. In his "Ely O'Carroll Territory, p.340.
St. Canice is Patron of the City of Kilkenny and his Feast Day is 11th October. (Edited and quoted from Joseph C. O'Carroll's Historic Kilkenny, [7th ed., 2004], pp.17-18)
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This was found outside the home of the famous Kilkenny witch, Dame Alice Kyteler, now the Kyteler's Inn pub off High Street [precisely on St. Kieran's Street: see the pics below].
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It was moved to the Cathedral in 1120 when Kilkenny become the episcopal seat of the diocese. The ancient stone still exists beneath the seat of this mediaeval throne and dates to 400 AD. The seat is still used to this day when the bishop of Ossory is enthroned.
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He died in a drowning accident in 1854 aged 46 yrs. He is portrayed wearing the robes of The Order of St. Patrick. Note the beautiful carving of the chain showing the Harp of Ireland and the Rose of England and the Shamrocks carved on his sword handle.
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He died in 1539 and she died in 1542. Carved with six Apostles Philip, Andrew, Simon, Matthew, James Major and Paul.
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He was known as "James the Lame" and he died in 1546 by poisoning in London. His body was buried in London but his heart returned to Ireland and buried in the cathedral. (Apostles Peter, Andrew, Thomas, John, Paul, and Bartholomew)
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Richard Butler, 2nd son of Piers and Margaret Butler 8th Earl of Ossory. The Butler Shield quartered and with a crescent indicates that he was the second son.
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As was the fashion of the time this tomb was commissioned during his lifetime. He was still alive in 1534 when he is described as being 70 years of age. Presumably he died soon after. Figures shown are St. Peter, Paul, Jame minor, Thomas, Bartholomew and John.
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Dressed as a nun and surrounded by a Bishop and five female Saints.
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Rothe House is an example of a typical middle class house of the Tudor Period. It was built by a rich merchant John Rothe, and his wife Rose Archer between 1594-1610. Rothe placed his arms, a deer and an oak tree and the arrow points of his Archer wife over the main gate. In his "great stone mansion" he and his wife had twelve children.
The family lived here in some splendor, there is evidence of music and literature. There were two sunny courtyards for recreation and leisure. In the second courtyard can be seen the only source of water, the well, with a well-house of 1604. Also in this courtyard there is a reconstructed megalithic tomb moved here for preservation.
The newly restored building contains the great common kitchen, the bakery and the brewhouse. Kilkenny Archaeological Society bought the property in 1960. The building contains an interesting collection of pictures and artifacts of Kilkenny's past. The Reception room has some fine oak furniture and interesting pictures. There is an interesting museum collection and a fine collection of costumes. (Extracted from the Official Pamphlet.)
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See the above pic "klk2007-071" (The Kyteler Slab, St. Canice's Cathedral):
This was found outside the home of the famous Kilkenny witch, Dame Alice Kyteler, now the Kyteler's Inn pub on the High Street
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