Editing County Kilkenny

{{Short description|County in Ireland}}
{{Redirect|Kilkenny County|other uses|Kilkenny (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the Irish county|the former UK constituency|County Kilkenny (UK Parliament constituency)|the former Irish constituency|County Kilkenny (Parliament of Ireland constituency)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name                   = County Kilkenny
| native_name                     = {{lang|ga|Contae Chill Chainnigh}}<!-- if different from the English name -->
| native_name_lang                = ga<!-- [[ISO 639-2]] code  -->
| settlement_type                 = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->| image_skyline                   = 
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| image_seal                      = 
| seal_size                       = 
| seal_alt                        = 
| seal_link                       = 
| seal_type                       = 
| image_shield                    = County Kilkenny arms.svg
| shield_size                     = 
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| shield_link                     = 
| image_blank_emblem              = 
| blank_emblem_type               = <!-- defaults to Logo -->
| blank_emblem_alt                = 
| blank_emblem_link               = 
| etymology                       = Named after [[Kilkenny]]
| nickname                        = The Marble County
| motto                           = 
| anthem                          = [[The Rose of Mooncoin]]
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
| image_map                       = Island_of_Ireland_location_map_Kilkenny.svg
| map_alt                         = County Kilkenny located in the southeast of Ireland
| map_caption                     = County Kilkenny in Ireland
| coordinates                     = {{coord|52|35|N|7|15|W|type:adm1st_region:IE-KK|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint                   = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coordinates_footnotes           = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| grid_name                       = <!-- name of a regional grid system -->
| grid_position                   = <!-- position on the regional grid system -->
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type                = [[Sovereign state|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]<!-- the name of the country -->
| subdivision_type1               = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Leinster]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[Regions of Ireland|Region]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Southern Region, Ireland|Southern]]
<!-- etc., subdivision_type6 / subdivision_name6 -->
<!-- established -->| established_title               = [[Osraige]]<!-- Founded -->
| established_date                = about 150
| established_title1              = Shire of Kilkenny<!-- Incorporated (town) -->
| established_date1               = after 1172
| established_title2              = [[Earl of Ormond (Ireland)|Earldom of Ormond]]<!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date2               = about 1328
| established_title3              = [[Earldom of Ossory]]<!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date3               = about 1528
| established_title4              = County of Kilkenny<!-- Incorporated (city) -->
| established_date4               = by 1610
| extinct_title                   = 
| extinct_date                    = 
| founder                         = [[Óengus Osrithe]]
| named_for                       = [[St. Canice]]
<!-- seat, smaller parts -->| seat_type                       = [[City status in Ireland|City]]<!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| seat                            = [[Kilkenny]]
| parts_type                      = [[Civil parishes in Ireland|Civil parishes]]<!-- defaults to: Boroughs -->
| parts_style                     = <!-- list, coll (collapsed list), para (paragraph format) -->
| parts                           = <!-- parts text, or header for parts list -->
| p1                              = 
| p2                              = <!-- etc., up to p50: for separate parts to be listed-->
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes            = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
|leader_title           = [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local authority]]
|leader_name            = [[Kilkenny County Council]]<ref>{{cite web|author1=Kilkenny County Council|author-link1=Kilkenny County Council|title=Kilkenny County Council Elected Members|url=http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/Your_Council/About-the-Council/Your_County_Councillor/|website=kilkennycoco.ie|date=2016|access-date=3 August 2016|archive-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807163939/http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/Your_Council/About-the-Council/Your_County_Councillor/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|leader_title2          = [[Dáil constituency]]
|leader_name2           = [[Carlow–Kilkenny (Dáil constituency)|Carlow–Kilkenny]]
|leader_title3          = [[European Parliament constituencies in the Republic of Ireland|EP constituency]]
|leader_name3           = [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]]
<!-- display settings -->| total_type                      = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
<!-- area -->| area_footnotes                  =<ref name=csoFacts>{{cite web|author1=Central Statistics Office|author-link1=Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|title=Statistical Facts About Your County – Kilkenny|url=http://www.cso.ie/en/studentscorner/statisticalfactsaboutyourcounty/kilkenny/|website=cso.ie|access-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412225630/http://www.cso.ie/en/studentscorner/statisticalfactsaboutyourcounty/kilkenny/|archive-date=12 April 2013}}</ref><!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2                  = 2073<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_land_km2                   = 
| area_water_km2                  = 
| area_water_percent              = 
| area_rank                       = [[List of Irish counties by area|16th]]
| area_note                       = <!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes             = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m                     = 
| elevation_point                 = <!-- for denoting the measurement point -->
| elevation_max_m                 = 515
| elevation_max_point             = [[Brandon Hill]]
<!-- population -->
| population_as_of                = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
| population_footnotes            = <ref name=cso2022>{{cite web |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpr/censusofpopulation2022-preliminaryresults/geographicchanges/ |title=Census of Population 2022 – Preliminary Results |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]] |access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref>
| population_total                = 103,685	
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
| pop_est_footnotes               = 
| population_est                  = 
| population_rank                 = [[List of Irish counties by population|21st]]
| population_density_km2          = auto<!-- for automatic calculation of any density field, use: auto -->
| population_density              = 
| population_density_rank         = 
| population_demonym              = [[Kilkenny cat|Cat]]<!-- demonym, e.g. Liverpudlian for someone from Liverpool -->
| population_note                 = <!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type                = [[Eircode]]
| postal_code                     = E41, R95 <small>(primarily)</small>
| area_code_type                  = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code                       = + 353 56 & 353 51
| geocode                         = 
| iso_code                        = IE-KK
| registration_plate_type         = [[Vehicle registration plates of the Republic of Ireland|Number plate]]
| registration_plate              = KK<ref>{{cite web|author1=Oireachtas|author-link1=Oireachtas|title=S.I. No. 432/1999 – Vehicle Registration and Taxation (Amendment) Regulations, 1999.|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1999/si/432/made/en/print|website=irishstatutebook.ie|access-date=3 August 2016|archive-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807084602/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1999/si/432/made/en/print|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website                         = {{official website}}
| footnotes                       = 
| module                          = {{infobox mapframe|zoom=7}}
}}

'''County Kilkenny''' ({{langx|ga|Contae Chill Chainnigh}}) is a [[Counties of Ireland|county]] in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. It is in the [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] of [[Leinster]] and is part of the [[Southern Region, Ireland|Southern Region]]. It is named after the [[City status in Ireland|city]] of [[Kilkenny]].{{efn|Kilkenny's status as a city is recognised in s. 22A of the [[Local Government Act 2001]].<ref>{{Cite Irish legislation|title=[[Local Government Reform Act 2014]]|year=2014|number=1|section=19|date=27 January 2014}}</ref>}} [[Kilkenny County Council]] is the [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|local authority]] for the county. At the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]] the population of the county was 103,685.<ref name=cso2022/> The county was based on the historic [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] kingdom of [[Osraige|Ossory]] (''Osraighe''), which was coterminous with the [[Bishop of Ossory|Diocese of Ossory]].

==Geography and subdivisions==
Kilkenny is the 16th-largest of Ireland's 32 counties by area and the 21st-largest in terms of population.<ref>{{cite book |first=Eoghan |last=Corry |title=The GAA Book of Lists |publisher=Hodder Headline Ireland |year=2005 |pages=186–191 |isbn=0-340-89695-7}}</ref> It is the third-largest of Leinster's 12 counties in size, the seventh-largest in terms of population, and has a population density of 50 people per km2. Kilkenny borders five counties – [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]] to the west, [[County Waterford|Waterford]] to the south, [[County Carlow|Carlow]] and [[County Wexford|Wexford]] to the east, and [[County Laois|Laois]] to the north. [[Kilkenny]] city is the county's seat of local government and largest settlement, and is situated on the River Nore in the centre of the county. Kilkenny city is approximately {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Waterford]], {{convert|124|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Dublin]] and {{convert|150|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Cork (city)|Cork]].

===Physical geography===
{{See also|Geography of Ireland}}
[[File:BrandonHill116.jpg|thumb|right|The [[River Barrow]] at [[Graiguenamanagh]]]]
The [[River Nore]] flows through the county, and the [[River Suir]] forms the border with [[County Waterford]]. [[Brandon Hill]] is the highest point with an [[Summit (topography)|elevation]] of {{convert|515|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Most of the county has a hilly surface of moderate elevation with uplands in the north-east, the north-west and the South of the county; the middle is lower by comparison.<ref>({{Harvnb|Hughes|1863|p=623}})
{{Cite book
| last = Hughes
| first = William
| title = The geography of British history
| place = London
| publisher = Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, & Green
| year = 1863
| url = https://archive.org/details/geographybritis01hughgoog
}}
</ref>

The county is located at {{Coord|52|35|N|7|15|W|region:IE_type:adm1st_source:GNS-enwiki|display=inline}} and has an area of {{convert|512222|acre|km2 sqmi}}.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090522161020/http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm] The county extends from 52 degrees 14 minutes to 52 degrees 52 minutes north latitude, and from 6 degrees 56 minutes to 7 degrees 37 minutes west longitude. The north–south length of the county is {{convert|45|mi|km}}; and its greatest breadth from east to west, is about {{convert|23|mi|km}} and its narrowest part is about {{convert|12|mi|km}} from where it widens irregularly towards the north.

Kilkenny extends southward from [[County Laois|Laois]] to the valley of the Suir and eastward from the [[Munster]]–[[Leinster]] border to the [[River Barrow]]. The [[River Nore]] bisects the county, and the [[River Barrow]] and [[River Suir]] are natural boundaries to the east and south of the county. County Kilkenny is bordered by [[County Laois|Laois]], [[County Carlow|Carlow]], [[County Wexford|Wexford]], [[County Waterford|Waterford]] and [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]].

==== Rivers ====
{{See also|Rivers of Ireland|List of rivers of Ireland}}
The main rivers in County Kilkenny, called the [[The Three Sisters (Ireland)|Three Sisters]], are the [[River Nore|Nore]], [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[River Suir|Suir]].<ref>({{Harvnb|Hughes|1863|p=623}})</ref> The River Nore bisects the county and flows through [[Ballyragget]], [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] and the villages of [[Bennettsbridge]], [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]] and [[Inistioge]]. The River Suir forms the border between [[County Waterford]] and County Kilkenny.

The Barrow forms part of the county's eastern boundary. Tributaries of the Barrow in the county include the [[Gowran River]] and the [[Ballyvalden River]] (with its tributary the [[Monefelim River]]).

[[File:Kilkenny river.JPG|thumb|right|The [[River Nore]] at Kilkenny]]
Although County Kilkenny lies inland it has access to the sea via Belview Port, [[Port of Waterford]], on the [[River Suir|Suir Estuary]] and via [[New Ross]] on the [[River Barrow]]. On the River Barrow, from the villages of [[Goresbridge]] and [[Graiguenamanagh]], there is a navigable river with traditional barges to the [[River Shannon]] or to [[Dublin Bay]]. Kilkenny's river network helps drain the land giving the county a highly fertile lower central plain.<ref>[https://irelandbyways.co.uk/ireland-territories/irelands-counties/county-kilkenny/2/ County Kilkenny], ''Ireland Byways''</ref><ref>[https://www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/services/planning/development-plans/city-and-county-development-plan/expired-development-plans/development_plans_2008-2014/kilkenny%20county%20development%20plan%202008-2014/appendix_c_landscape_character_assessment.pdf Kilkenny County Development Plan 2008-2014] (PDF), Landscape Appraisal for County Kilkenny, ''Kilkennycoco.ie''</ref>

Kings River and the Dinan are used for canoeing and kayaking as they contain stretches of peaceful waterways and a number of weirs and rapids.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} The wide and meandering Rivers Nore and Barrow are used for angling, boating and water sports.

==== Protected areas ====

Special Areas of Conservation, under the European Union [[Habitats Directive]], in County Kilkenny<ref>[http://www.npws.ie/en/ConservationSites/SpecialAreasofConservationSACs/Kilkenny/ Special Areas of Conservation in County Kilkenny] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218044859/http://www.npws.ie/en/ConservationSites/SpecialAreasofConservationSACs/Kilkenny/ |date=18 December 2007 }} – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland.</ref> includes [[Hugginstown Fen]]<ref name="hugginstown">[[Hugginstown Fen]] (SAC IE0000404). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,3938,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219022941/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,3938,en.pdf|date=19 December 2007}} – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [[Natura 2000]] ([https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000404 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112228/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000404|date=28 December 2017}}) – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> south-west of [[Ballyhale]], [[The Loughans]]<ref name="loughans">[[The Loughans]] (SAC IE0000407). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,3939,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119083059/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,3939,en.pdf|date=19 November 2007}} – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [[Natura 2000]] ([https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000407 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171832/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000407|date=28 December 2017}}) – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> near [[Urlingford]], [[Cullahill Mountain]]<ref name="cullahill">[[Cullahill Mountain]] (SAC IE0000831). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4037,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119083036/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4037,en.pdf |date=19 November 2007 }}, [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4688,en.pdf Conservation Plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219120638/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4688,en.pdf |date=19 December 2007 }} and maps ([http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4690,en.pdf 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219120736/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4690,en.pdf |date=19 December 2007 }},[http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4689,en.pdf 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219120801/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4689,en.pdf |date=19 December 2007 }},[http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4691,en.pdf 3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219120708/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4691,en.pdf |date=19 December 2007 }}) – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [[Natura 2000]] ([https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000831 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112301/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000831 |date=28 December 2017 }}) – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> on the [[Castlecomer Plateau]] near [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], [[Spahill and Clomantagh Hill]]<ref name="spahill">[[Spahill and Clomantagh Hill]] (SAC IE0000849). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4038,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219023038/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4038,en.pdf |date=19 December 2007 }} – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [[Natura 2000]] ([https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000849 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112256/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000849 |date=28 December 2017 }}) – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> which form part of an escarpment which links the [[Slieveardagh Hills]] with the Castlecomer Plateau, [[Galmoy Fen]]<ref name="galmoy">[[Galmoy Fen]] (SAC IE0001858). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4114,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119083008/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4114,en.pdf|date=19 November 2007}} – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [[Natura 2000]] ([https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0001858 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112259/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0001858|date=28 December 2017}}) – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> north of Johnstown, Lower [[River Suir]]<ref name="suir">[[Lower River Suir]] (SAC IE0002137). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4167,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119083023/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4167,en.pdf|date=19 November 2007}} – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [[Natura 2000]] ([https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0002137 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112220/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0002137|date=28 December 2017}}) – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> south of [[Thurles]], the freshwater stretches of the [[River Barrow|Barrow]]/[[River Nore]]<ref name="nore2">[[River Barrow and River Nore]] (IE0002162). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4175,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219022339/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4175,en.pdf|date=19 December 2007}} – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [[Natura 2000]] ([https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0002162 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112237/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0002162|date=28 December 2017}}) – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> and [[Thomastown Quarry]], near [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]].<ref name="thomastown-quarry">[[Thomastown Quarry]] (SAC IE0002252) – [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4202,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119083047/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4202,en.pdf|date=19 November 2007}} – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0002252 Natura 2000 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171708/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0002252|date=28 December 2017}} – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref>

In 2005 [[Coan Bogs]] was defined as a ''Natural Heritage Area'' under section 18 of the Wildlife Act 2000.<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/si/0471.html Natural Heritage Area (COAN BOGS NHA 002382) Order 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620220343/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/si/0471.html |date=20 June 2009 }} STATIONERY OFFICE DUBLIN</ref> The [[blanket bog]] consists of two small areas of upland blanket bog located near [[Castlecomer]] in the townlands of Coan East and Smithstown.<ref>[http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4382,en.pdf Coan Bogs NHA Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218220252/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4382,en.pdf|date=18 December 2007}} National Parks and Wildlife Service</ref> Bedrock geology for both areas is shale overlain locally by glacial till and blanket bog vegetation is well developed.<ref>[http://www.npws.ie/en/NHA/002382/ Coan Bogs NHA 002382]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} National Parks and Wildlife Service</ref>

[[Fiddown Island]] is a 62.6 ha state-owned ''Nature Reserve'' established in 1988.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1988/en/si/0234.html |title=S.I. No. 234/1988 – Nature Reserve (Fiddown Island) Establishment Order, 1988 |year=1988 |work=Irishstatutebook.ie |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=18 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618130933/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1988/en/si/0234.html |url-status=live }}.</ref> Near [[Fiddown]] along the [[River Suir]] it consists of a long narrow island of marsh/woodland covered in willow scrub and bordered by reed swamps – it is the only known site of its type in Ireland.<ref>[http://www.npws.ie/en/NatureReserves/Kilkenny/ Fiddown Island Nature Reserve] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217232221/http://www.npws.ie/en/NatureReserves/Kilkenny/ |date=17 December 2007 }} National Parks and Wildlife Service</ref>

==== Wildlife ====
{{See also|Flora of Ireland|Fauna of Ireland}}
The wildlife of County Kilkenny is part of the county's biodiversity and is an environmental, economic, amenity and resource.

[[Fauna]] of County Kilkenny includes [[European hedgehog|hedgehogs]], [[European otter|otters]], [[European badger|badgers]], [[red fox]]es, and bats such as [[Leisler's bat]], [[Daubenton's bat]], the [[brown long-eared bat]] and the [[common pipistrelle]]. There is also [[sika deer]], [[fallow deer]], [[stoat]], [[red squirrel]] and [[Eurasian pygmy shrew|pygmy shrew]].<ref name="National Parks & Wildlife Service"/> The bird nesting period is from 1 March until 1 September. Woodlands, trees and hedgerows form a network of habitats, ecological 'corridors' essential for wildlife to flourish and move between habitats.

[[Flora]] of County Kilkenny includes the endangered [[Colchicum autumnale|autumn crocus]], also rare species such as the [[Hammarbya|bog orchid]], the [[Trichomanes speciosum|Killarney fern]] and the [[salt marsh|tufted salt-marsh grass]].<ref name="National Parks & Wildlife Service">{{cite web |url=http://www.npws.ie |title=National Parks & Wildlife Service |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525065041/http://www.npws.ie/ |url-status=live }}. Npws.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> There are also vulnerable species like [[Misopates orontium|lesser snapdragon]], [[Hammarbya paludosa|meadow barley]], [[Pseudorchis albida|small-white orchid]], [[Groenlandia|opposite-leaved pondweed]], [[Stachys officinalis|betony]], [[Galeopsis angustifolia|red hemp nettle]], [[Cephalanthera longifolia|narrow-leaved helleborine]], [[Asplenium billottii|lanceolate spleenwort]], [[Scleranthus annuus|annual knawel]] and [[Clinopodium acinos|basil thyme]].

====Woodlands====
[[File:Kilkennywest Graiguenamanagh.JPG|thumb|right|220px|Kilkenny countryside looking west near [[Graiguenamanagh]].]]
Surveys of woodlands of County Kilkenny include ''A Woodland Survey of Kilkenny'', undertaken in 1997 to identify woodlands in the county and ''A survey of broadleaved woodlands in three special Areas of Conservation, Barrow-Nore, River Unshin and Lough Forbes (2000)'' which covers some of County Kilkenny,<ref name=brown2000 /> and ''National Survey of Native Woodlands (NSNW) 2003–2008'' which was one of the largest ecological surveys to be completed in Ireland and did its fieldwork in the county in 2003.<ref name="Perrin2008">({{Harvnb|Perrin|2008}})</ref>

Estimates of the woodlands in County Kilkenny include the ''Forest Inventory Planning System (1998)'' which estimated Kilkenny had 2251&nbsp;ha of mixed woodland and broadleaf woodland not dominated by beech, representing 1.09% of the county and the ''National Forest Inventory 2004 and 2006'' which estimated that 4430&nbsp;ha of the county is native forested land, [[Pinus sylvestris|Scots pine]] was regarded as non-native, representing 2.15% of the county.{{efn|The ''Forest Inventory Planning System 1998'' (FIPS) is a GIS-based inventory of forest cover in Ireland produced from aerial photographs and satellite imagery. The National Forest Inventory (NFI) extrapolated its estimates from a systematic field sampling the FIPS sites between 2004 and 2006.}}<ref name="native-woodlands">{{Cite book
 |editor-last   = Perrin
 |editor-first  = Philip
 |editor2-last  = Martin
 |editor2-first = James
 |editor3-last  = Barron
 |editor3-first = Simon
 |editor4-last  = O'Neill
 |editor4-first = Fionnuala
 |editor5-last  = Kate
 |editor5-first = McNutt
 |title         = The National Survey of Native Woodlands 2003–2008
 |volume        = 1
 |access-date   = 24 September 2010
 |year          = 2008
 |page          = 187
 |place         = Dublin
 |publisher     = National Parks & Wildlife Service
 |url           = https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/nsnw-vol-1.pdf
 |archive-date  = 23 January 2018
 |archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20180123131652/https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/nsnw-vol-1.pdf
 |url-status    = live |ref={{harvid|Perrin|2008}}
}}</ref>{{efn|The considerable difference between these estimates may be attributed to differences the criteria and other factors, however, this increase may reflect genuine expansion of woodland.}}

The best quality sites in the county in terms of their conservation value include [[Kylecorragh Wood]] (SAC) along the [[River Nore]],<ref name="nore">[[River Barrow]] and [[River Nore]] (SAC) (IE0002162). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4175,en.pdf Site Synopsis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219022339/http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4175,en.pdf |date=19 December 2007 }} – [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]], [[Republic of Ireland]]. [[Natura 2000]] ([https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0002162 data set] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228112237/https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0002162 |date=28 December 2017 }}) – [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> Grenan Wood (SAC), Knockadrina, Garryricken North (NHA/SNR), Ballytobin/Ballaghtobin, Brownstown Wood (NHA/SAC), Kyleadohir Wood (NHA/SNR), Brown's Wood, [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]], [[Ballykeeffe Wood]], Cullentragh, Rossenarra, Newrath and Garryricken South.<ref name="native-woodlands" /> The most threatened forested area in the county is Greatwood.<ref name="native-woodlands" />

The main governmental organisations responsible for ensuring the development of forestry within Kilkenny are the [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]] (under the [[Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage]]) and the Forest Service (under the [[Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine]]). There are legislative measures which recognise the importance of trees woodlands and hedgerows and provide for their protection including the Forestry Act 1946 and Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. These prohibit trees from being cut down unless a notice of intention is given and prohibit the cutting of hedges within the bird nesting period. The main threats come mainly from invasive species, heavy grazing and damaging activities such as non-native planting, native felling and dumping.<ref name="native-woodlands" /> There are instances of felling (both legal and illegal) of ash trees for the production of [[Hurley (stick)|hurley]]s.<ref name="native-woodlands" />

There are around 180 significant trees in County Kilkenny included in the [[Tree Register of Ireland]],<ref>[http://www.treecouncil.ie/tree_register_of_ireland.htm Register of Ireland] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524000015/http://www.treecouncil.ie/tree_register_of_ireland.htm |date=24 May 2010 }}</ref> compiled by the [[Tree Council of Ireland]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://treecouncil.ie |title=Tree Council of Ireland Website |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=9 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209171602/http://www.treecouncil.ie/ |url-status=live }}. Treecouncil.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> based on characteristics such as age, height, diameter, historical or folklore connections. The tallest tree in Kilkenny is a [[Abies alba|silver fir]] of 5.39&nbsp;x&nbsp;43m located at [[Woodstock Estate|Woodstock Gardens]] in [[Inistioge]] and the tree with the largest girth is a [[Tilia × europaea|common lime]] of 9.01&nbsp;x&nbsp;27m located at Coolmore House in [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]]. At present, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, there are 4 Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) in County Kilkenny for the protection of trees, groups of trees and woods of amenity value. These include Oldcourt in [[Inistioge]], Keatingstown, Barna in [[Freshford, County Kilkenny|Freshford]], Sawney's Wood in [[Castlecomer]] and the [[Kilkenny Castle|Castle Gardens]] in [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]].

Important trees in county Kilkenny include two [[Cedrus libani|cedars of Lebanon]] at ''Kildalton Agricultural College'' in [[Piltown]], a [[Monterey cypress]], [[Fagus sylvatica|beech]], [[Abies alba|silver fir]] and two [[Sequoia sempervirens|coastal redwood]] at [[Woodstock Estate|Woodstock Gardens]] in [[Inistioge]]. In [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]] there is a [[Tilia × europaea|common lime]] at ''Coolmore House'', an [[Quercus robur|English/common oak]] at ''Stoneen Kilfawe'', an [[Quercus robur|English/common oak]] at [[Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel|Mount Juilliet Estate]] and a [[Sequoiadendron giganteum|Wellingtonia, giant sequoia]], [[Cupressus macrocarpa|Monterey cypress]], [[Castanea sativa|sweet/Spanish chestnut]] and a [[Quercus ilex|holm oak/evergreen oak]] at ''Kilfane Glebe''. There is also a [[Quercus cerris|Turkey oak]] at ''Threecastles House'' in [[Kilkenny]], an [[Fraxinus excelsior|ash]] and two [[Quercus robur|English/common oak]] at ''Ballytobin House'' in [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]], a [[Tilia × europaea|common lime]], [[Sequoiadendron giganteum|Wellingtonia giant sequoia]] and two [[Cupressus macrocarpa|Monterey cypress]] at [[Shankill Castle]] in [[Paulstown]], an [[Quercus robur|English/common oak]] at ''Ballykeefe House'' in Kilmanagh, an [[Quercus robur|English/common oak]] at Fanningstown House in [[Owning]] and a [[Fagus sylvatica|beech]] at ''Castlecomer Golf Club'' in [[Castlecomer]].<ref>[http://treecouncil.ie/pdfs/countys/kilkenny.pdf Top 25 trees in county Kilkenny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118175355/http://treecouncil.ie/pdfs/countys/kilkenny.pdf |date=18 November 2007 }} – [http://treecouncil.ie Tree Council of Ireland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209171602/http://www.treecouncil.ie/ |date=9 December 2009 }}</ref>

====Climate====
{{See also|Climate of Ireland}}
{{climate chart|Kilkenny
|1.6|8.21|87
|1.9|8.62|65.7
|3.2|10.71|62.8
|4.27|12.4|51.6
|6.64|15.84|61.9
|9.39|18.32|50.5
|11.5|20.52|52.7
|11.06|20.18|70.7
|9.07|17.77|72.5
|6.49|13.93|85.5
|3.65 |10.63|74
|2.46|8.74|88
| source=<ref name="KK climate dataA">From the [http://www.met.ie/ official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701025856/http://www.met.ie/ |date=1 July 2007 }} of [[Met Éireann]]; see  {{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/30year-averages.asp|title=30 Year Averages in Kilkenny 1978–2007|access-date=26 July 2012|archive-date=13 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813062519/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/30year-averages.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>
| float=right
| clear=both
}}
[[File:Pasture at Listerlin, Co.Kilkenny - geograph.org.uk - 213470.jpg|thumb|left|Pasture at Listerlin, County Kilkenny.]]
The climate of County Kilkenny, like the [[climate of Ireland]], is a changeable [[oceanic climate]] with few extremes. It is defined as a [[temperate]] [[oceanic climate]], or ''Cfb'' on the [[Köppen climate classification]] system. Kilkenny lies in plant [[Hardiness zone]]
9. Weatherwise, the county is generally representative of wide river valleys in the region with low temperatures on cloudless nights,<ref name="KK climate dataB">From the [http://www.met.ie/ official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701025856/http://www.met.ie/ |date=1 July 2007 }} of [[Met Éireann]]; see  {{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/kilkenny.asp|title=Kilkenny (Weather Observing Stations)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828044351/http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/kilkenny.asp|archive-date=28 August 2008|access-date=25 September 2008}}</ref> and is significant in that it records some of the highest summer and lowest winter temperatures in Ireland. The highest air temperature ever recorded in Ireland was {{convert|33.3|°C|°F}}, at [[Kilkenny Castle]] on 26 June 1887.<ref name="IRE climate data">From the [http://www.met.ie/ official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701025856/http://www.met.ie/ |date=1 July 2007 }} of [[Met Éireann]]; see {{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp|title=Temperature in Ireland|access-date=25 September 2008|archive-date=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107003129/https://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp%20|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Met Éireann]] Kilkenny [[Weather station|Weather Observing Station]], 2&nbsp;km north-west of [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] centre, on the Duningstown Road, opened in May 1957,<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> and observations ceased in April 2008.<ref name="KK climate data2A">From the [http://www.kilkennyweather.com/ official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513002014/http://kilkennyweather.com/ |date=13 May 2010 }} of ''kilkennyweather.com''; see {{cite web|url=http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/about-us|title=About us|publisher=kilkennyweather.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029151429/http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/about-us|archive-date=29 October 2009}}</ref> A climatological station is currently in operation within 1&nbsp;km of the old site, and as of March 2010, was providing live weather data to the general public and climate data to [[Met Éireann]].<ref name="KK climate data2A" />

The maximum temperature recorded at the [[Met Éireann|Met]] [[Weather station|Station]] was {{convert|30.8|°C|°F}} on 2 August 1995.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> Extremes recorded at the station include the highest air [[temperature]] of {{convert|31.5|°C|°F}} on 29 June 1976, the lowest air temperature of {{convert|-14.1|°C|°F}} on 2 January 1979 and the lowest ground temperature of {{convert|-18.1|°C|°F}} on 12 January 1982.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The maximum daily sunshine was 16.3 hours on 18 June 1978.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The warmest and sunniest month on record in Kilkenny was August 1995 with a total of 274.9&nbsp;hours [[Sunlight|sunshine]] and very high temperatures throughout.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The maximum daily sunshine was 16.3&nbsp;hours on 18 June 1978.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The overall trend in temperatures has been on the rise with a marked increase from 1988 onwards.<ref name="KK climate data2B">From the [http://www.kilkennyweather.com/ official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513002014/http://kilkennyweather.com/ |date=13 May 2010 }} of ''kilkennyweather.com''; see {{cite web|url=http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/climate-change|title=Climate|access-date=27 September 2010|archive-date=10 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110010412/http://www.kilkennyweather.com/index.php/climate-change|url-status=live}}</ref> Annual temperatures are running over 0.5 degrees above 20th-century levels.<ref name="KK climate data2B" />

The maximum daily rainfall recorded at Kilkenny station was {{convert|66.4|mm|in}} on 17 July 1983.<ref name="KK climate dataB" /> The late 1950s and early 1960s were wet but rainfall had been steady throughout the century.<ref name="KK climate data2B" /> 2002 was a very wet year and since 2005 annual rainfall has been increased steadily, with 2009 being the wettest year since records commenced in 1958.<ref name="KK climate data2B" /> At the centre of the county, [[Kilkenny]] is in a sheltered location, over 60&nbsp;km inland and is surrounded by hills over 200m, which ensures that it is not a windy location.<ref name="KK climate data2A" /> The highest wind gust of 77&nbsp;knots, from a south-west direction, was recorded on 12 January 1974.<ref name="KK climate dataB" />

=== Geology ===
{{See also|Geology of Ireland}}
The geology of Kilkenny includes the [[Kiltorcan Formation]] which is early [[Carboniferous]] in age.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jarvis |first=Edward |title=New palynological data on the age of the Kiltorcan Flora of Co. Kilkenny, Ireland |date=July 1990 |journal=Journal of Micropalaeontology |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=87–94 |doi=10.1144/jm.9.1.87|doi-access=free |bibcode=1990JMicP...9...87J }}</ref> The formation is located around Kiltorcan Hill near [[Ballyhale]] in the [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]] and [[Knocktopher]] areas. It forms the uppermost part of the Old Red Sandstone and is the distinctive [[Upper Devonian]]–[[Lower Carboniferous]] unit in southern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite book
|last=Jarvis
|first=D.E.
|editor=P. F. Friend |editor2=B. P. J. Williams
|title=New perspectives on the old red sandstone
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ONL3KxKS5x0C
|orig-date=1998
|series=GSL Special Publications
|year=2000
|publisher=Geological Society of London (GSL)
|location=London
|isbn=978-1-86239-071-3
|page=400
|chapter=Palaeoenvironment of the plant bearing horizons of the Devonian-Carboniferous Kiltorcan Formation, Kiltorcan Hill, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ONL3KxKS5x0C&q=Kiltorcan+Formation+Kilkenny&pg=PA333
}}
</ref> It contains non-red [[lithologies]], green [[mudstone]]s, siltstones, fine [[sandstone]]s and yellow sandstones. There is a [[fossil]] assemblage containing [[Cyclostigma]] and [[Archaeopteris]] and [[Archaeopteris|Archaeopteris hibernica]].<ref>Beck 1981</ref>

Most of the county is principally limestone of the upper and lower group, corresponding with the rest of Ireland. A large area in the north and east contains beds of coal, surrounded by limestone strata, alternated with shale, argillaceous ironstone, and sandstone. This occurs eastward of the [[River Nore|Nore]] around [[Castlecomer]], along the border with Laois. It is generally accompanied by [[culm Measures|culm]], which was used extensively for burning lime.

The natural environment and resources of County Kilkenny includes its rivers, wildlife (mammals, birds, plants), woodlands, hedgerows, and diverse landscapes and geological features. The main land use is grassland, dairy farming and tillage farming especially around Kilkenny City and in the fertile central plain of the Nore Valley. Conifer forests are found on the upland areas.

Habitats of international and national importance, are designated under [[European Union]] and national legislation. The four categories of designated site in effect in County Kilkenny are [[Special Area of Conservation|Special Areas of Conservation]], Natural Heritage Areas, Statutory Nature Reserves and Wildfowl Sanctuaries. The 2008–2014 county development plan recorded 36 designated natural heritage sites of international and national importance in County Kilkenny, covering approximately 4.5% of the county.<ref>[http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/resources/eng/Services/Planning/Draft%20Development%20Plans/County/DraftCountyDevelopmentPlan2008-2014/Ch8_Heritage.pdf Chapter 8 – Heritage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120083549/http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/resources/eng/Services/Planning/Draft%20Development%20Plans/County/DraftCountyDevelopmentPlan2008-2014/Ch8_Heritage.pdf |date=20 November 2007 }}, Draft County Kilkenny Development Plan 2008–2014 – [[Kilkenny County Council]]</ref>

==== Mountains and hills ====
[[File:BrandonHill91.jpg|thumb|right|[[Brandon Hill]]]]
{{See also|List of mountains in Ireland}}
County Kilkenny is comparably low compared to other [[Geography of Ireland#Mountain ranges|mountain ranges in Ireland]] with the [[List of Irish counties by highest point|highest peak]] being [[Brandon Hill]] ({{irish place name|Cnoc Bhréanail|}}), at {{convert|515|m|ft}} above [[sea level]]. The majority of rest of the county is hilly except for the centre of the county, just south of the city of [[Kilkenny]], which is comparably lower than the rest of the county. There are highlands in the North-East, the North-West and in the South of the county.

In the north of the county the uplands of the [[Castlecomer]] district, the [[Castlecomer Plateau]] includes the Culla Hills to the west of the [[River Nore|Nore]] Valley with Castlecomer Hills and Slieve Marcy to the east. These hills are divided by the valley of the [[Dinan]] river which joins the [[River Nore|Nore]] from the east. The highest point of the Castlecomer Hills is {{convert|313|m|ft}}, and located North-West of the town of Castlecomer and near the border with [[County Laois|Laois]]. The highest point of the Culla Hills is in Laois at {{convert|279|m|ft}}, but its undulating slopes spread over a considerable area of Kilkenny in the north-westerly area.

In the west of the county the [[Slieveardagh Hills]] and [[Booley Hills]] extend westwards to County Tipperary. The highest point in the Slieveardagh Hills is [[Knocknamuck]] at {{convert|340|m|ft}}. The Booley Mountains partly divide from [[Tory Hill]] to the valley of the Kilmacow River which flows into the [[River Suir|Suir]].

In the south of the county is [[Brandon Hill]], at {{convert|515|m|ft}} and is near the [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[Graiguenamanagh]]. The area enclosed between the rivers [[River Nore|Nore]] and [[River Barrow|Barrow]] towards their point of joining is elevated. Along the west of the [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[River Nore|Nore]] is mostly covered by hills of nearly equal elevation except along the left bank of the river Suir. Here there is a rich area of land between the river and the hills.

===Baronies===
{{See also|Baronies of Ireland}}
The county is subdivided into twelve [[Barony (Ireland)|baronies]] which are in turn divided into [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parishes]] and [[townland]]s. There are about 800 townlands in Kilkenny. Each barony was made up of a number of parishes or parts of parishes. Both civil parishes and baronies are now largely obsolete (except for purposes such as legal transactions involving land) and are no longer used for local government purposes.
[[File:Ireland - 1885 Map of County Kilkenny.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The Baronies of County Kilkenny]]
# [[Callan (barony)|Callan]] (''Callainn'')
# [[Cranagh (barony)|Cranagh]] (''Crannach'')
# [[Fassadinin]] (''Fásach an Deighnín'')
# [[Barony of Galmoy|Galmoy]] (''Gabhalmhaigh'')
# [[Gowran (barony)|Gowran]] (''Gabhrán'')
# [[Barony of Ida|Ida]] (''Uí Dheá'')
# [[Iverk]] (''Uíbh Eirc'')
# [[Kells (County Kilkenny barony)|Kells]] (''Ceanannas'')
# [[Kilculliheen]] (''Cill Choilchín'')
# [[Kilkenny (barony)|Kilkenny]] (''Cill Chainnigh'')
# [[Knocktopher (barony)|Knocktopher]] (''Cnoc an Tóchair'')
# [[Shillelogher (barony)|Shillelogher]] (''Síol Fhaolchair'')

===Civil parishes and townlands===
{{Main|List of townlands of County Kilkenny}}
For religious administration, the county was divided into parishes. Every parish had at least one church. The barony boundaries and the parish boundaries were not connected.

From the 17th to mid-19th centuries, civil parishes were based on early Christian and medieval monastic and church settlements. The civil parishes are divided into [[townland]]s (See [[List of townlands in County Kilkenny]]). As the population grew, new parishes were created and the civil parish covered the same area as the established [[Church of Ireland]]. The Roman Catholic Church adapted to a new structure based on towns and villages. There 2,508 civil parishes in Ireland, which often break both [[barony (Ireland)|barony]] and [[Counties of Ireland|county]] boundaries.

===Towns and Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Ballyhale]]
* [[Ballyragget]]
* [[Bennettsbridge]]
* [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]]
* [[Carrigeen]]
* [[Castlecomer]]
* [[Castlewarren]]
* [[Clogh, County Kilkenny|Clogh]]
* Coan
* [[Danesfort]] 
* [[Dungarvan, County Kilkenny|Dungarvan]]
* [[Dunnamaggin|Dunnamaggan]]
* [[Ferrybank, Waterford|Ferrybank]]
* [[Freshford, County Kilkenny|Freshford]]
* [[Galmoy, County Kilkenny|Galmoy]]
* [[Goresbridge]]
* [[Gowran]]
* [[Graiguenamanagh]]
* [[Glenmore, County Kilkenny|Glenmore]]
* [[Hugginstown]]
* [[Inistioge]]
* [[Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny|Jenkinstown]]
* [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]]
* [[Johnswell]]
* [[Kilkenny]]
* [[Killinaspick]]
* [[Kilmacow]]
* [[Kilmoganny]]
* [[Knocktopher]]
* Kilmanagh
* [[Moneenroe]]
* [[Mooncoin]]
* [[Mullinavat]]
* [[Paulstown]]
* [[Piltown]]
* [[Rosbercon]]
* [[Slieverue]]
* [[Stoneyford, County Kilkenny|Stoneyford]]
* [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]]
* [[Tullaroan]]
* [[The Rower]]
* [[Urlingford]]
* [[Windgap, County Kilkenny|Windgap]]
{{div col end}}

===European region===
For statistical purposes at European level, the county is part of the [[South-East Region, Ireland|South-East Region]], a NUTS III entity; this is in turn part of the level II NUTS entity, [[Southern Region, Ireland|Southern Region]].

==Governance and politics==
===Local government===
{{main|Kilkenny County Council}}
Local government in County Kilkenny is governed by the Local Government Acts. The [[Local Government Reform Act 2014]] established a unitary structure of [[local government]]. This single-tier structure consists of [[Kilkenny County Council]].

For the purposes of local government, Kilkenny is divided into 4 [[local electoral area]]s – Callan–Thomastown (6), Castlecomer (6), Kilkenny city (7) and Piltown (5) – which return a total of 24 members to Kilkenny County Council. The [[2019 Kilkenny County Council election|2019 Kilkenny local elections]] had a voter turnout of 53%, a decrease of 4.1% on the [[2014 Kilkenny County Council election|2014 election]]. The highest turnout was in Callan–Thomastown (56.4%) and the lowest was in Kilkenny city (50.4%).

In the 2019 local elections, [[Fianna Fáil]] and [[Fine Gael]] emerged as the two dominant parties, holding 20 of the 24 seats between them. The [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] hold 2 seats, the [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] hold 1 seat, and there is 1 independent. [[Sinn Féin]], which had held 3 seats, failed to gain a seat in the 2019 election. Council elections are held every 5 years, with the next election due to be held in May 2024.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|- 
!colspan=2|Party
!Seats
! % of votes
! % Change since [[2014 Irish local elections|2014]]
! Seat Change since 2014
|-
| {{party name with colour|Fianna Fáil}}
| style="text-align:right;"|11 || style="text-align:right;"| 41.1% || {{Increase}} 3.9% || {{Increase}} 1
|-
| {{party name with colour|Fine Gael}}
| style="text-align:right;"|9 || style="text-align:right;"| 32.1% || {{Increase}} 2.2% || {{Increase}} 2
|-
| {{party name with colour|Labour Party (Ireland)}}
| style="text-align:right;"|2 || style="text-align:right;"| 7.5% || {{Decrease}} 3.7% || {{nochange}}
|-
| {{party name with colour|Green Party (Ireland)}}
| style="text-align:right;"|1 || style="text-align:right;"| 3.8% || {{Increase}} 0.3% || {{nochange}}
|-
| {{party name with colour|Sinn Féin}}
| style="text-align:right;"|0 || style="text-align:right;"| 6.4% || {{Decrease}} 3.5% || {{Decrease}} 3
|-
| {{party name with colour|Independent politician (Ireland)}}
| style="text-align:right;"|1 || style="text-align:right;"| 8.5% || {{Increase}} 1.3% || {{nochange}}
|}

As the county is part of the [[South-East Region, Ireland|South-East Region]], some county councillors are also representatives on the Southern Regional Assembly.

===Former districts===
Until 2014, the second tier of local government consisted of [[Kilkenny Borough Council]] which was a [[town council (Ireland)|town council]]. The city of [[Kilkenny]] was allowed to use the title of "Borough Council" instead of "Town Council", but Kilkenny Borough Council had no additional responsibilities. Since the enactment of the aforementioned Act on 1 June 2014, which abolished the borough, the county council is solely responsible for local services.

===National politics===
The county is part of the [[Dáil constituency]] of [[Carlow–Kilkenny (Dáil constituency)|Carlow–Kilkenny]] (5 [[Teachta Dála|TDs]]).<ref>{{cite Irish legislation|year=2017|number=39|schedule=y|name=[[Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017]]|date=23 December 2017|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718205639/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/act/39/schedule/enacted/en/html|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The constituency has been in use since the [[1948 Irish general election|1948 general election]].

Kilkenny has been represented through several parliamentary constituencies in the past. From 1918 to 1921, County Kilkenny was divided between the [[List of former United Kingdom Parliament constituencies|United Kingdom parliamentary constituencies]] of [[North Kilkenny (UK Parliament constituency)|North Kilkenny]] and [[South Kilkenny (UK Parliament constituency)|South Kilkenny]]. In 1921 the Carlow–Kilkenny Dáil constituency was created and continued until the creation of a separate [[Kilkenny (Dáil constituency)|Kilkenny constituency]] in 1937, which existed until 1948.

The county is part of the [[South (European Parliament constituency)|South]] constituency for elections to the [[European Parliament]]. The constituency has 5 seats.<ref>{{cite Irish legislation|year=2019|number=7|section=7|stitle=Substitution of Third Schedule to Principal Act|name=European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Act 2019|date=12 March 2019|access-date=21 December 2021}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Kilkenny St Canice Cathedral SW 2007 08 28.jpg|thumb|right|[[St Canice's Cathedral]] and round tower around which Kilkenny developed]]

County Kilkenny takes its name from the [[city status in Ireland|city]] of [[Kilkenny]]. Kilkenny is the anglicised version of the Irish ''Cill Chainnigh'', meaning ''Church (Cell) of Cainneach or Canice''. This probably relates to the church and [[Irish round tower|round tower]], now St. Canice's Cathedral, which was built in honour of [[Cainnech of Aghaboe|St. Canice]].

The [[Kingdom of Osraige]] was one of the ancient [[Kingdoms of Ireland]].  The [[Kings of Osraige]], the [[Mac Giolla Phádraig]] family, reigned over [[Kingdom of Osraige|Osraige]] and Cill Chainnigh was their stronghold. The [[Kingdom of Ossory]] existed from at least the 2nd century until the 13th century AD. The current [[ecclesiastical]] [[diocese]]s of that area is still known as [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory|Ossory]]. The medieval [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory|Diocese of Ossory]]<ref>Downham, "Career", p. 7; Mac Niocaill, ''Ireland before the Vikings'', pp. 3–4.</ref> and was established in 549 AD,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/osso0.htm |title=Diocese of Ossory |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023124207/http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/osso0.htm |url-status=live }}. GCatholic.org. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> and its territory corresponded to the medieval [[Kingdom of Ossory]]. In historic times, Kilkenny replaced [[Aghaboe]] as the chief church in Osraige.

The kingdom was bounded by two of the [[The Three Sisters (Ireland)|Three Sisters]] the rivers [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[River Suir|Suir]] and the northern limit was, generally, the [[Slieve Bloom Mountains]].  The Osraige —their name means people of the deer— inhabited much of modern County Kilkenny and parts of neighbouring [[County Laois]]. To the west and south, Osraige was bounded by the [[River Suir]], to the east the watershed of the [[River Barrow]] marked the boundary with Leinster, and to the north it extended into and beyond the [[Slieve Bloom Mountains]].  The River Nore ran through the Kingdom.

Osraige formed the easternmost part of the kingdom and province of [[Munster]] until the middle of the 9th century, after which it was attached to Leinster. Osraige was largely a [[buffer state]] between [[Leinster]] and [[Munster]]. Its most significant neighbours were the Loígsi, [[Uí Cheinnselaig]] and Uí Baircche of Leinster to the north and east and the Déisi Muman, [[Eóganacht Chaisil]] and Éile of Munster to the south and west.<ref>Byrne, ''Irish kings and high-kings'', maps on pp. 133 & 172–173; Charles-Edwards, ''Early Christian Ireland'', p. 236, map 9 & p. 532, map 13.</ref>

The name Osraige is said to be from the Usdaie, a [[List of Celtic tribes#Ireland|Celtic tribe]] that [[Ptolemy]]'s map of Ireland places in roughly the same area that Osraige would later occupy. The territory indicated by Ptolemy probably included the major late Iron Age hill-fort at [[Freestone Hill]] which produced some Roman finds. Also the interesting burial at [[Stoneyford, County Kilkenny|Stoneyford]] which is of typical Roman type and probably dates to the 1st century AD.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} The Osraighe themselves claimed to be descended from the [[Érainn]] people. Others propose that the [[Iverni]]c groups included the Osraige of the [[Kingdom of Osraige]]/[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory|Ossory]].<ref>[[James MacKillop (author)|James MacKillop]], ''Dictionary of Celtic Mythology'', Oxford University Press, Oxford & New York, 1998</ref> The [[Brigantes]] were the only Celtic tribe to have a presence in both England and Ireland, in the latter of which they could be found around Kilkenny, [[County Wexford|Wexford]] and [[County Waterford|Waterford]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iron_age.html|publisher=WesleyJohnston.com|title=Celtic Ireland in the Iron Age|date=24 October 2007|access-date=23 July 2009|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112140107/http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iron_age.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:MarriageAoifeStrongbow.jpg|thumb|''The Marriage of Aoife and Strongbow'' (1854) by [[Daniel Maclise]], a romanticised depiction of the union between the [[Aoife MacMurrough]] and Strongbow in the ruins of [[Waterford]].]]

[[Pope Adrian IV]] gave Norman King [[Henry II of England]] permission to claim Ireland 1154. The Cisternians came to [[Jerpoint Abbey|Jerpoint]] and Kilkenny around 1155/60. Jerpoint Abbey is founded by Donal MacGiollaPhadruig, King of Ossory 1158. In 1168, [[Dermot MacMurrough]] the [[King of Leinster]] was driven out of his kingdom by [[Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair|Rory O'Connor]] the [[High King of Ireland]] with the help of [[Tighearnán Ua Ruairc|Tiernan O'Rourke]]. [[Dermot MacMurrough|MacMurrough]] looked for help from [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] and got help from a [[Cambro-Norman]] lord notable [[Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke]], known to history as Strongbow. MacMurrough secured the services of Richard, promising him the hand of his daughter [[Aoife MacMurrough|Aoife of Leinster]] and the succession to Leinster. Richard and other [[Welsh Marches|Marcher]] barons and knights by King Henry assembled an army. The army, under [[Raymond FitzGerald|Raymond le Gros]], took [[Wexford]], [[Waterford]] and [[Dublin]] in 1169 and 1170, and Strongbow joined them in August 1170. The day after the capture of Waterford, he married MacMorrough's daughter, Aoife.

The [[Lordship of Ireland]] was a [[lord]]ship created in the wake of the [[Norman invasion of Ireland]] in 1169–71. Kilkenny formed part of the lordship of Leinster. Strongbow became Lord of Leinster in 1171.

==Places of interest==
=== Architecture ===
{{See also|Architecture of Ireland}}
The architecture of County Kilkenny contains features from all eras since the [[Stone Age]] including [[Norman architecture|Norman]] and [[Anglo-Irish]] [[castle]]s, [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] urban buildings, towns and villages with unique architectures, [[Palladian architecture|palladian]] and [[rococo]] [[country houses]], [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] and [[Gothic Revival architecture|neo-Gothic]] [[cathedral]]s and buildings. In the late 20th century a new economic climate resulted in a renaissance of culture and design, with some at the cutting edge of [[modern architecture]]. County Kilkenny contains varied architecture including [[passage grave]]s, [[ringfort]]s, [[Irish round tower]]s, castles, churches and cathedrals, [[abbey]]s and [[Priory|priories]], bridges and roads, and [[townhouse]]s of varying style.

==== Early architecture ====
[[File:The Gowran Ogham Stone.jpg|thumbnail|right|180px|The Gowran Ogham Stone. Christianised c. the 6th century. On display in St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran]]
{{See also|Early history of Ireland|Passage grave|Ringfort|Irish round tower}}
[[File:Kilmogue Portal Dolmen - geograph.org.uk - 103548.jpg|left|thumb|Leac an Scail, Kilmogue Portal [[Dolmen]]]]
Evidence of Neolithic settlement can be found throughout the county. There are great burial mounds including the portal tombs and dolmens at Owning, [[Kilmogue Portal Tomb|Kilmogue-Harristown]] and Borrismore. There are passage graves at Clomantagh Hill and [[Knockroe Passage Tomb|Knockroe]]. There were non-megalith single-grave burial tombs, Linkardstown-type Cists, excavated at Jerpoint West. These are late Neolithic and before the single-grave rite of the Bronze Age.<ref>{{Harvnb|Ryan|1973}},{{Harvnb|Moody|2005}}</ref> A [[Neolithic]] house was identified in [[Granny, County Kilkenny|Granny]] near [[Waterford]], making it the oldest house in County Kilkenny. The square house consisted of slot-trenches, internal floor surfaces, a hearth and wooden posts at each corner, one of the post-holes was radiocarbon-dated to 3997–3728 BC. A new form of early Neolithic pottery with a lip around the inside of the rim were found. This Granny pottery is similar to pottery found in the south-east of England.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hughes|2004}}, [http://www.nra.ie/Archaeology/BrochureandPosterSeries/file,3425,en.pdf NRA Brochure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304073953/http://www.nra.ie/Archaeology/BrochureandPosterSeries/file,3425,en.pdf |date=4 March 2009 }}, [http://www.nra.ie/Archaeology/Seanda-NRAArchaeologyMagazine/file,11161,en.pdf Seanda – NRA Archaeology Magazine: 2006 Issue 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304074001/http://www.nra.ie/Archaeology/Seanda-NRAArchaeologyMagazine/file,11161,en.pdf |date=4 March 2009 }} (8 MB)</ref>

[[Ogham]] stones are found throughout County Kilkenny. The Gowran Ogham Stone which is on display in [[St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran]] is an example of a Christianised ogham stone. The ogham lettering is from the 3rd or 4th century. The Christian cross was carved {{circa|6th century}} following St. Patrick's arrival in Ireland in 432 AD. The ogham stone was found on the site during the rebuilding of the chancel in 1826. The Gowran Ogham Stone has survived to the present day due to the fact that it was used as a building stone in another part of the church and lay undisturbed for centuries.

[[Passage grave]]s consisted of a central burial chamber, with a long passageway to the entrance. [[Knockroe Passage Tomb|Knockroe]] contains a passage tomb which is protected by listing order. From some time beginning around the Iron Age, Ireland has thousands of [[ringfort]]s, or "raths". [[Carigeen]], [[Danesfort]], [[Dunbell big]] and [[Tullaroan]] all contain ring forts protected by preservation order.

The [[Irish round tower|round stone tower]] is one feature of ''early historic architecture'' not usually found outside Ireland with only three in [[Scotland]] and one on the [[Isle of Man]]. The tower at [[St Canice's Cathedral]] in [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] is a good example. Other round towers are situated around the county such as [[Tullaherin]] round tower, one near [[Bennettsbridge]], [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]], [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], and [[Aghaviller]] near [[Knocktopher]].

====Castles====
[[File:KilkennyCastle.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kilkenny Castle]]]]
{{See also|List of castles in the Republic of Ireland#County Kilkenny|l1=List of Castles in County Kilkenny}}

[[Kilkenny Castle]] is a [[castle]] in [[Kilkenny]]. It was the seat of the Butler family. Formerly the family name was FitzWalter. The castle was sold to the local Castle Restoration Committee in the middle of the 20th century for [[Irish pound|£]]50. Shortly afterwards it was handed over to the State, and has since been refurbished and is open to visitors. Part of the National Art Gallery is on display in the castle. There are ornamental gardens on the town side of the castle, and extensive land and gardens to the front. It has become one of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland.

[[Foulksrath Castle]] is a 15th-century [[Anglo-Normans|Anglo-Norman]] [[tower house]] located in [[Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny|Jenkinstown]] in County Kilkenny. It was built by the Purcell clan, who also constructed several others nearby. After over three centuries as owners, the family was reduced to living as peasants in the castle stables after it was confiscated by [[Oliver Cromwell]] and given to his officers after the [[Cromwellian conquest of Ireland]].

==== Abbeys and priories ====
{{See also|List_of_abbeys_and_priories_in_Ireland#County_Kilkenny|l1=List of abbeys and priories in County Kilkenny}}
[[Jerpoint Abbey]] is a [[Cistercians|Cistercian]] abbey near [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]]. It was constructed in 1180, probably on the site of an earlier [[Benedictine]] monastery built in 1160 by Domnall Mac Gilla Patraic, [[Kingdom of Osraige|King of Osraige]].<ref>''Illustrated Dictionary of Irish History.'' Mac Annaidh, S (ed). Gill and Macmillan, Dublin. 2001</ref> Jerpoint is notable for its stone carvings, including one at the tomb of [[Felix Ua Duib Sláin]], [[Bishop of Ossory|Bishop]] of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory|Diocese of Ossory]] when the abbey was founded.
[[File:Jerpoint Abbey E 1997 08 28.jpg|thumb|left|East front of [[Jerpoint Abbey]]]]
[[File:Kells-Priory.jpg|thumb|[[Kells Priory]] in [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]]]]
[[File:Graiguenamanach Choir Window SE 1997 08 27.jpg|thumb|right|[[Duiske Abbey]] in [[Graiguenamanagh]]]]

[[Duiske Abbey]] in [[Graiguenamanagh]] founded in 1204 was one of the first and largest [[Cistercians]] [[monastery|monasteries]] in Ireland. What remains of the monastery is a large gothic church which dominates the town centre in Graiguenamanagh. The abbey derives its name from the river Duiske or Dúbh Uisce which flows through the town on its way to the river Barrow which also flows through this town. Original floor tiles from the original building can be seen in the abbey along with the gothic and romanesque architecture.

The Black Abbey in Kilkenny, founded 1225, is a Dominican abbey with two-bay double-height lean-to lower aisle to south. It was extended, {{circa|1325}}, with four-bay double-height transept to south having four-bay double-height lean-to lower aisle to west.

[[Kells Priory]] is one of the largest medieval historic monuments in Ireland. It is a [[National monument (Ireland)|national monument]] and is in the guardianship of the Commissioners of Public Works. The priory is scenically situated alongside King's River, about fifteen kilometres south of [[Kilkenny]]. One of its most striking feature is a collection of medieval [[tower house]]s spaced at intervals along and within walls which enclose a site of just over {{convert|3|acre|m2}}. These give the [[priory]] the appearance more of a fortress than of a place of worship and from them comes its local name of "Seven Castles".

The [[Callan Augustinian Friary]] is situated in [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]]. It is known locally as the "Abbey Meadow" and is located at the North East of the town on the banks of the Kings Rover. Edmund Butler of Pottlerath, a noted patron of literature, successfully petitioned Pope Pius II for the foundation of the friary in 1461. After Edmund died in 1462, the actual buildings were erected by his son, James, probably after 1467 when he received a papal dispensation to marry his concubine, to whom he was related.

==== 18th-century bridges ====
[[File:Bennetsbridge42.jpg|thumb|left|Bennett's bridge in [[Bennettsbridge]] over the [[River Nore]]]]
There are many 18th-century bridges in County Kilkenny. These bridges are an important element of the civil engineering and transport heritage of County Kilkenny and so are included in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) Building Survey.<ref>[http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/highlights.jsp?county=KK&list=true Kilkenny Building Survey Highlights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529222116/http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/highlights.jsp?county=KK&list=true |date=29 May 2008 }}.''National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH)''</ref>

The Great Flood of 1763 washed away many of the major bridges crossing the [[River Nore]], and a comprehensive rebuilding programme was initiated. Many of the bridges are built to designs prepared by George Smith (1763–67), a pupil of [[George Semple]], and they feature Classical-style detailing, indicating the lasting influence of the illustrations included in [[Andrea Palladio]]'s ''[[I quattro libri dell'architettura]]'' (1570). Smith designed [[Green's Bridge]] in [[Kilkenny]], [[Castlecomer]] Bridge on the Dinin (Deen) River; [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]] Bridge on the River Nore; [[Graiguenamanagh]] Bridge on the River Barrow and [[Inistioge]] Bridge on the River Nore.
[[File:St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran.jpg|thumbnail|St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran]]
Other 18th-century bridges include; the bridges in [[Goresbridge]], [[Bennettsbridge]], [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]], Threecastles, Dinin Bridge and the bridge at [[Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel|Mount Juliet]].

==== Churches ====
In medieval times many fine churches in Ireland were also built such as [[St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran]], St. Canice's Cathedral in [[Kilkenny]] and [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St. Mary's Cathedral]].

[[St. Lachtain's Church]], [[Freshford, County Kilkenny|Freshford]] was built in 1731, incorporating a portal from 1100 as its main entrance, all that is left of the original church is the Hiberno-Romanesque (Irish-Roman) architectural porch and doorway. The remainder of the present church was built for Protestant worship in 1731. In St. Lachtains time Freshford was a diocese. In 1225 a bishops palace was built at Aghore (Achadh Ur), now Uppercourt. It was used as a summer residence for over 300 years.

=== Tourist attractions ===
{{See also|List of tourist attractions in Ireland}}
In County Kilkenny [[Jerpoint Abbey]] near [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]], [[Kells Priory]] at [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]]. [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] including [[St Canice's Cathedral]] and [[St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny|St Mary's Cathedral]], [[Rothe House]] and [[Kilkenny Castle]].
[[File:Dunmore cave, County Kilkenny.jpg|thumb|Dunmore Cave]]
[[Dunmore Cave]] is a [[show cave]] in Ballyfoyle, with a tourist centre established at the site. As well as a variety of [[speleothem|cave formations]], it is also one of the most documented archaeological sites in Ireland. [[Jenkinstown Park]] is about {{convert|10|km|mi}} north of the town of [[Kilkenny]] and {{convert|11|km|mi}} south of [[Castlecomer]] off the [[N78 road (Ireland)|N78 road]].

====Gardens and Trails====
Gardens include Kilfane Glen in [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]], [[Woodstock Estate|Woodstock Garden]] in [[Inistioge]], the Discover Park in [[Castlecomer]], Darver House garden in [[Jenkinstown Park|Jenkinstown]], ''Coolcashin Garden'' near [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], Emoclew Garden in [[Goresbridge]], Shankill Gardens & Castle in [[Paulstown]], [[Rothe House|Rothe Family Garden]] in [[Kilkenny]], Dahlia garden in [[The Rower]] and the rose garden at [[Kilkenny Castle]]. Hedgerows also have historical significance as townland and field boundaries.

The [[Nore Valley Way]] is a [[long-distance trail]] under development. When completed it will begin in [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] and end in [[Inistioge]].<ref name="People">{{cite news |title=Next step of Nore Valley walk is completed |url=http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/local/next_step_of_nore_valley_walk_is_completed_1_2175001 |newspaper=[[Kilkenny People]] |date=11 October 2010 |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930173233/http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/local/next_step_of_nore_valley_walk_is_completed_1_2175001 |archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> It is designated as a [[long-distance trails in the Republic of Ireland|National Waymarked Trail]] by the National Trails Office of the [[Irish Sports Council]] and is managed by Trail Kilkenny,<ref name="Trails">{{cite web |url=http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Nore-Valley-Walk--Inistioge-to-Thomastown-Section--/25/ |title=Nore Valley Way |work=IrishTrails |publisher=[[Irish Sports Council]] |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407122702/http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Nore-Valley-Walk--Inistioge-to-Thomastown-Section--/25/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a group made up of representatives of [[Kilkenny County Council]], County Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, Kilkenny Sports Partnership and local landowners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trailkilkenny.ie/about-us/ |title=About Us |work=Trail Kilkenny |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818013507/http://www.trailkilkenny.ie/about-us/ |archive-date=18 August 2011 }}</ref>
The scenic South Leinster Way, a very scenic trail, journeys along the lower Barrow Valley before leaving the riverside at Graiguenamanagh to traverse the lower slopes of Brandon Hill.

== Demographics ==
[[File:Kilkenny Panorama.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]]]]
{{Historical populations|state=collapsed
|1600|11343
|1610|15668
|1653|19185
|1659|18427
|1821|181946
|1831|193686
|1841|202420
|1851|158748
|1861|124515
|1871|109379
|1881|99531
|1891|87261
|1901|79159
|1911|74962
|1926|70990
|1936|68614
|1946|66712
|1951|65235
|1956|64089
|1961|61668
|1966|60463
|1971|61473
|1979|69156
|1981|70806
|1986|73186
|1991|73635
|1996|75336
|2002|80339
|2006|87558
|2011|95419
|2016|99232
|2022|103685
|footnote=<ref name=cso2022/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/census |title=Census for post 1821 figures |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=20 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920090814/http://cso.ie/census |url-status=live }}. Cso.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.histpop.org |title=Home |publisher=Histpop.Org |date=2007-04-02 |access-date=2010-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507023856/http://www.histpop.org/ |archive-date=7 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=NISRA |url=http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |title=Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency – Census Home Page |publisher=Nisranew.nisra.gov.uk |access-date=2010-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |archive-date=17 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=Lee|first=J. J.| author-link =J. J. Lee (historian)|editor-last=Goldstrom|editor-first=J. M.|editor2-last=Clarkson
|editor2-first=L. A.|title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell
|year=1981|publisher=Clarendon Press|location=Oxford, England
|chapter=On the accuracy of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Pre-famine]] Irish censuses}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Mokyr  | first1 = Joel
  | author-link = Joel Mokyr  | last2 = Ó Gráda  | first2 = Cormac
  | author2-link = Cormac Ó Gráda  | title = New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850  | journal = The Economic History Review  | volume =  37  | issue =  4
  | pages = 473–488  |date=November 1984
  | url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121204160709/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract  | archive-date = 2012-12-04  | doi = 10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x    | hdl = 10197/1406  | hdl-access = free  }}</ref><ref name=cso2016>{{cite web | url = http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=CTY31&Geog_Code=2AE1962914A813A3E055000000000001 | title = Census 2016 Sapmap Area: County Kilkenny | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]] | access-date = 15 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081259/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=CTY31&Geog_Code=2AE1962914A813A3E055000000000001 | archive-date = 16 October 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | last = Census | title = Population of each Province, County and City, 2006 | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]] | year = 2006 | url = http://www.cso.ie/statistics/popofeachprovcountycity2006.htm | access-date = 9 June 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111114131049/http://www.cso.ie//statistics/popofeachprovcountycity2006.htm | archive-date = 14 November 2011 }}</ref>
}}
As of the 2016 census, by the [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]], County Kilkenny's population was 99,232, of whom 38,722 people reported some level of [[Irish language]] usage. There were 41,363 people reported as at work in the county in 2016.<ref name=cso2016/> There were 1,251 births and 546 deaths in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm |title=Source: Vital Statistics Yearly Summary Report 2007, CSO |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522161020/http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm |archive-date=22 May 2009 }}. Cso.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> Disposable household income per person as of 2005 was 18,032 euros and the index of disposable household was 89.4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm |title=Source:County Incomes and Regional GDP 2005, CSO |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522161020/http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm |archive-date=22 May 2009 }}. Cso.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref>

The main religion is Catholic, however there are Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist, Jewish and other religious traditions living in Kilkenny.<ref>{{cite web
 | title = Population (Number) by County, Year and Religious Denomination
 | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|CSO]]
 | url = http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=CNA28&ti=Population+(Number)+by+County,+Year+and+Religious+Denomination&path=../Database/Eirestat/Census%20of%20Population/&lang=1
 | access-date = 24 September 2021
 | archive-date = 7 June 2011
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607083744/http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=CNA28&ti=Population+%28Number%29+by+County%2C+Year+and+Religious+Denomination&path=..%2FDatabase%2FEirestat%2FCensus%20of%20Population%2F&lang=1
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref>

===Irish language===
County Kilkenny was the last county in Leinster to have native Irish speakers other than Louth (which was historically and linguistically a part of Ulster). The dialect shared the majority of its features with the surviving dialect of Ring in County Waterford. One distinct feature of the traditional Irish of Kilkenny (and Laois) as part of the Ossory dialect region was the pronunciation of [[slender R]] [ɾʲ] as [ʒʲ] similar to but not exactly like the G in the English word "regime". This [ʒʲ] sound was devoiced to an "sh" sound when slender R was adjacent to the sound /h/. The Irish language scholar Risteárd A. Breatnach wrote an MA thesis entitled "Kilkenny Irish" but this remains unpublished.

Baile Shéamais, in Glenmore, was home to Pádraig Paor who is believed to have been the last traditional native speaker of the Irish language in County Kilkenny. Audio-recordings were made of his speech in 1936 for the Irish Folklore Commission (Coimisiún Béaloideasa Éireann) by Séamus Ó Duilearga and Risteárd A Breatnach.<ref>Ó hÓgáin, Dáithí, Labhrann Laighnigh, Baile Átha Cliath, Coiscéim, 2011</ref> His speech contains the well-documented Ossory pronunciation of [[slender R]] {{IPA|[ɾʲ]}} as {{IPA|[ʒʲ]}}, resembling the {{angbr|j}} sound of Standard French.

==Economy==
=== Cooperatives ===
{{See also|Glanbia|Tirlán}}
In 1966, County Kilkenny village creameries amalgamated to create [[Tirlán|Avonmore Creameries]], becoming Avonmore Food plc in 1988. The company joined with Waterford Food plc in 1997 to form [[Glanbia|Glanbia plc]], a large multinational nutrition company with 2019 revenues of over €2.3 billion and 6,900 employees.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.glanbia.com/about-us/glanbia-at-a-glance|title = Glanbia at a Glance|access-date = 23 July 2019|publisher = Glanbia Plc|archive-date = 15 November 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171115153429/https://www.glanbia.com/about-us/glanbia-at-a-glance|url-status = live}}</ref>
The local operations have returned to co-operative control under the [[Tirlán]] brand in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Glanbia Ireland and Glanbia Co-op rebrand to Tirlán |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2022/08/31/glanbia-ireland-and-glanbia-co-op-rebrand-to-tirlan// |access-date=24 February 2023 |work=[[The Irish Times]]|date=31 August 2022}}</ref>

== Infrastructure ==
{{See also|Communications in Ireland|Internet in Ireland|Water supply and sanitation in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[File:Road scene - geograph.org.uk - 552608.jpg|thumb|right|The [[N76 road (Ireland)|N76]] near [[Windgap, County Kilkenny|Windgap]]]]

===Transport===
{{See also|Transport in Ireland|Rail transport in Ireland|Roads in Ireland|Bus Éireann|List of airports in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[Iarnród Éireann]] (Irish Rail) provides rail services from [[Rail transport in Ireland#Dublin to Waterford|Dublin to Waterford]] which pass through [[Kilkenny railway station|Kilkenny MacDonagh Station]] in [[Kilkenny]] and [[Thomastown railway station]]. [[Waterford railway station]] is located just outside County Kilkenny. The stations served are Dublin Heuston, Newbridge, Kildare, [[Athy railway station|Athy]], [[Carlow railway station|Carlow]], [[Muine Bheag halt|Muine Bheag]] (Bagenalstown), [[Kilkenny railway station|Kilkenny]], [[Thomastown railway station|Thomastown]], [[Waterford railway station|Waterford Plunkett]]. Since Kilkenny is a stub station, reversal is necessary. Non Passenger trains such as the [[DFDS]] Freight train from Ballina – Waterford avoid Kilkenny by using Lavistown loop which joins both lines going into Kilkenny. All direct services are operated by 22000 railcars. There is a service every 2 hours.

[[Bus Éireann]] and [[JJ Kavanagh and Sons]] provide bus services throughout the county.

[[Kilkenny Airport]] is a small airport located just 1.5&nbsp;km West of Kilkenny. There are 6 powered resident aircraft and two gliders based at the aerodrome.

===Hospitals===
[[File:St Lukes Hospital Kilkenny.jpg|thumb|right|[[St. Luke's General Hospital]], Kilkenny city]]
{{See also|Healthcare in the Republic of Ireland|List of hospitals in the Republic of Ireland}}
[[Hospital]]s in County Kilkenny include three [[public hospital|public]] and one [[private hospital|private]] hospitals.<ref>[http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/query.py?category=Hospitals&county=Kilkenny Hospitals in County Kilkenny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721123119/http://findaddress.citizensinformation.ie/service_finder/query.py?category=Hospitals&county=Kilkenny|date=21 July 2011}} – [[Citizens Information Board (Ireland)|Citizens Information Board]], [http://www.kilkenny.ie/eng/Health_and_Social_Care/Hospitals_in_Kilkenny/ Hospitals in Kilkenny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006193428/http://www.kilkenny.ie/eng/Health_and_Social_Care/Hospitals_in_Kilkenny/|date=6 October 2009}} – kilkenny.ie</ref> [[St. Luke's General Hospital]] is a general medical and surgical hospital built in 1942.<ref>[http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/FactFile/County_Information/Kilkenny/St%20Lukes%20General%20Hospital%20Kilkenny/St_Lukes_General_Hospital_Kilkenny.html St. Lukes General Hospital Kilkenny] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123015110/http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/FactFile/County_Information/Kilkenny/St%20Lukes%20General%20Hospital%20Kilkenny/St_Lukes_General_Hospital_Kilkenny.html |date=23 January 2011 }}  – [[Health Service Executive]]</ref> It is situated on the Freshford Road and provides a range of local and regional services, including general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics. [[St. Canice's Psychiatric Hospital|St. Canice's]] is a psychiatric hospital, opened in 1852 and located on the Dublin Road.<ref>[http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/lho/CarlowKilkenny/Mental_Health_Services/mentalhealthcarlowkilkenny.html Mental Health Services in Carlow and Kilkenny] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128125215/http://hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/lho/CarlowKilkenny/Mental_Health_Services/mentalhealthcarlowkilkenny.html|date=28 November 2010}} – [[Health Service Executive]]</ref> It provides a range of mental health services including acute and long stay care, out-patient services throughout the county including addiction counselling services, respite care community hostel facilities and day care facilities. [[Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital|Kilcreene]] is the regional orthopaedic hospital based outside Kilkenny in Kilcreene. [[Aut Even Hospital|Aut Even]] is a private hospital based outside the city of [[Kilkenny]].<ref>[http://www.mountcarmel.ie/aut_even_hospital.html Official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727074454/http://www.mountcarmel.ie/aut_even_hospital.html|date=27 July 2009}} of [[Aut Even Hospital]].</ref> In [[Castlecomer]] there is [[Castlecomer District Hospital]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120803112402/http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/LHO/CarlowKilkenny/Health_Centres/healthcentrescarlowkilkenny.html%23Co%20Kilkenny%20Health%20Centres County Kilkenny Health Centres] – [[Health Service Executive]]</ref>

Most maternity services for County Kilkenny are proved in [[Waterford]] at [[University Hospital Waterford]].

There are also health centres based around County Kilkenny including in [[Ballyhale]], [[Ballyragget]], [[Bennettsbridge]], [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]], [[Castlecomer]], [[Clogh, County Kilkenny|Clogh]], [[Castlecomer]], [[Freshford, County Kilkenny|Freshford]], [[Gowran]], [[Graiguenamanagh]], Marley and [[Graiguenamanagh|Tinnahinch]] in [[Graiguenamanagh]], [[Inistioge]], [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], [[Loughboy]] in [[Kilkenny]], [[Stoneyford, County Kilkenny|Stoneyford]], [[Kilmacow]], [[Mullinavat]], [[Paulstown]], [[Rosbercon]], [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]], [[Urlingford]] and [[Windgap, County Kilkenny|Windgap]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120803112402/http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/LHO/CarlowKilkenny/Health_Centres/healthcentrescarlowkilkenny.html%23Co%20Kilkenny%20Health%20Centres Health Centres in Carlow and Kilkenny] – [[Health Service Executive]]</ref>

==Sport==
=== GAA ===
[[File:Cillian Buckley.jpg|thumb|right|160px|In [[hurling]], Kilkenny are the most successful county, with 36 [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland titles]]]]
In [[hurling]], by far the dominant sport in the county, [[Kilkenny GAA]] compete annually in the [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]], which they have won a record thirty-six times, the [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]], which they have won seventy times, and the [[National Hurling League]], which they have won seventeen times. Kilkenny, along with [[Cork GAA|Cork]] and [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]], are regarded as '[[Big Three (hurling)|the Big Three]]' in the world of hurling. [[Brian Cody]] has been manager of the Kilkenny senior hurling team since 1998. The current [[List of Kilkenny senior hurling team captains|senior hurling captain]] is [[Joey Holden]] from [[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]].

The Kilkenny flag or county colours are black and amber. The County Kilkenny hurling team, [[Tullaroan]], were the first Kilkenny team to wear the famous black and amber colours. In 1886, after winning the first-ever county championship in Kilkenny they held a fund-raising event in Tullaroan to provide the team with a playing strip. After intensive debate and consultations the club chose the black and amber stripes as the design for the jerseys that they would wear against [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]] that August.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fitzgerald}}</ref>

=== Horse racing ===
[[Gowran Park]] is a horse racing course near [[Gowran]]. The first meeting was held in 1914 and the racecourse hosts 16 race days throughout the year including the Thyestes Chase (The [[Grand National]] of the South), one of the prestigious [[Steeplechase (horse racing)|steeplechase]]s in Ireland which has been won by three time [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]] Winner, [[Arkle]] in 1964 and [[Aintree]] Grand National winners [[Hedgehunter]] and [[Numbersixvalverde]]. It has 16 [[National Hunt racing|National Hunt]] and Flat meetings all year round.

=== Golf ===
[[Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel|Mount Juliet Golf Course]] is a [[golf]] resort situated in [[Thomastown, County Kilkenny|Thomastown]]. It was the venue for the 2002 and 2004 [[WGC-CA Championship|WGC-American Express Championship]], having previously hosted the [[PGA European Tour|European Tour]]'s [[Irish Open (golf)|Irish Open]] on three occasions between 1993 and 1995. The par 72, {{convert|7300|yd|m|adj=on}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] designed golf course opened in 1991, and was voted ''Best Parkland Golf Course'' by Backspin Golf Magazine in March 2008. There is also a full 18-hole putting course set in the grounds of Mount Juliet House, which is the venue for the annual National Putting Championship.

Kilkenny Golf Club is 18-hole championship parkland course within the town to the North West, close to town centre. It hosted several Professional Championship events. In 1984 and 1996, it was the venue for the All Ireland Mixed Foursome Finals and in 1985 hosted the All Ireland Cups and Shields Finals. The course is mostly flat terrain with an abundance of trees. Around Kilkenny City there is also a Driving Range in Newpark and an 18-hole all weather Par 3 golf course in Pocoke.

Other golf courses include Gowran Park Golf Course in [[Gowran]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gowranpark.ie/ |title=Gowran Park Golf Course |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=21 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721042839/http://www.gowranpark.ie/ |url-status=live }}. Gowranpark.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08.</ref> Callan Golf Club in [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.callangolfclub.com/ |title=Callan Golf Club |work=callangolfclub.com |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=24 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724074759/http://www.callangolfclub.com/ |url-status=live }}.</ref> Castlecomer Golf Club in [[Castlecomer]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.castlecomergolf.com/ |title=Castlecomer Golf Club |work=castlecomergolf.com |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=8 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508153253/http://www.castlecomergolf.com/ |url-status=live }}.</ref> Mountain View Golf Course in [[Ballyhale]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mviewgolf.com/ |title=Mountain View Golf Course |work=mviewgolf.com |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-date=26 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726063449/http://www.mviewgolf.com/ |url-status=live }}. .</ref> and Carrigleade Golf Course in [[Graiguenamanagh]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://carrigleadegolf.wordpress.com/ |title=Carrigleade Golf Course |work=carrigleadegolf.wordpress.com |access-date=2010-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105023603/http://carrigleadegolf.wordpress.com/ |archive-date=5 November 2010 }}.</ref>

==Culture==
[[The Riordans]] (1965 to 1979) made by [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] (then called ''Telefís Éireann'') was set in the fictional [[townland]] of Leestown in County Kilkenny. Its use of [[Outside broadcasting|Outside Broadcast]] Units and its filming of its episodes ''on location'' rather than in studio, broke the mould of broadcasting in the soap opera [[genre]]. It was the second [[Ireland|Irish]] [[soap opera]] and inspired the creation of its British equivalent, ''[[Emmerdale|Emmerdale Farm]]'' (now called ''Emmerdale'') by [[Yorkshire Television]] in 1972.

===County anthem===
The song "[[The Rose of Mooncoin]]" is the traditional anthem of the county at GAA fixtures.<ref name="di-mooncoin">{{cite web |url=http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-places-to-go/placefinder/m/mooncoin-kilkenny/ |title=Mooncoin – Kilkenny |work=discoverireland.com |access-date=2010-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718211905/http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-places-to-go/placefinder/m/mooncoin-kilkenny/ |archive-date=18 July 2011 }}</ref>

The recently released, ''Kilkenny by the Nore'' sung by Alice O'Hanlon is also now considered an anthem.

== Notable people ==
{{Main|List of people from County Kilkenny}}
{{See also|Category:People from County Kilkenny}}
In the book: "Kilkenny: The Landed Gentry & Aristocracy" by Art Kavanagh<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://irishfamilynamesx.com/kilkenny|title = Book: The Landed Gentry & Aristocracy of County Kilkenny by Art Kavanagh (2004)|website = Kilkenny|publisher = Irish Family Names|access-date = 21 January 2016|archive-date = 22 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160122100440/http://irishfamilynamesx.com/kilkenny|url-status = live}}</ref> (2004), he had devoted a chapter each to eighteen of the most prominent Kilkenny Families, chosen 'on a random geographical basis to ensure even distribution over the entire County', as follows – Agar of [[Gowran]], [[Blunden baronets|Blunden of Castle Blunden]], [[Jenkinstown Park|Bryan of Jenkinstown]], [[Earl of Carrick (Ireland)|Butler (Lords Carrick)]], [[Hubert Butler|Butler of Maidenhall]], [[Viscount Mountgarret|Butler (Lords Mountgarret)]], [[Earl of Ormond (Ireland)|Butler (Earls of Ormonde)]], [[Earl of Desart|Cuffe (Lords Desart)]], [[De Montmorency baronets|De Montmorency]], [[Frederick Flood|Flood of Farmley]], [[Langrishe baronets|Langrishe]] of [[Knocktopher]], [[Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel|Loftus of Mount Juliet]], [[Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel|McCalmont of Mount Juliet]], [[Earl of Bessborough|Ponsonby (Earls of Bessborough)]], [[Power baronets|Power of Kilfane]], [[Smithwick's|Smithwick of Kilcreene]], [[Richard St George Mansergh-St George|St George]] of [[Freshford, County Kilkenny|Freshford]] and [[Viscount Castlecomer|Wandesforde of Catlecomer]].

== See also ==
{{Portal|Ireland|Kilkenny}}
{{Commons}}
* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland]]
* [[List of monastic houses in Ireland#County Kilkenny|List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Kilkenny)]]
* [[List of tourist attractions in Ireland]]
* [[Lord Lieutenant of Kilkenny]]
* [[High Sheriff of County Kilkenny]]
* [[High Sheriff of Kilkenny City]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==

===Footnotes===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
<ref name=brown2000>Browne et al. (2000). A survey of broadleaf woodlands in three SACs: Barrow-Nore, River Unshin and Lough Forbes:</ref>
}}

=== Further reading ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book
  | last = Edwards
  | first = David
  | title = The Ormond Lordship in County Kilkenny, 1515–1642: The Rise and Fall of Butler Feudal Power
  | publisher = Four Courts Press
  | year = 2000
  | isbn = 1-85182-578-9}}
* {{cite book
  | last = Lewis
  | first = Samuel
  | title = A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland
  | publisher = S. LEWIS & Co. 87, ALDERSGATE STREET.
  | year = 1837
  | location = London
  | url = http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/k4.php
  | access-date = 25 September 2008
  | archive-date = 4 October 2008
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081004061014/http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/k4.php
  | url-status = live
  }}
*{{Cite book
 | last =Hughes
 | first = J. Forthcoming
 | year =2004
 | contribution =Two Neolithic structures in Granny Townland, County Kilkenny
 | title =Recent archaeological discoveries on national road schemes 2004
 | editor-last =O'Sullivan
 | editor-first =Jerry
 | editor2-last =Stanley
 | editor2-first =Michael
 | publisher =Wordwell Book Sales
 | location =Dublin, Ireland
 | isbn= 0-9545955-1-3
 }}
*{{cite book
 | last = Fitzgerald
 | first = John
 | title = Kilkenny a blast from the past
 | publisher = Callen Press
 }}
*{{cite book
 | last = Moody
 | first = Theodore William
 | author2 = Dáibhí Ó Cróinín |author3=Francis X. Martin |author4=Francis John Byrne |author5=Art Cosgrove
 | title = A New History of Ireland: Prehistoric and early Ireland
 | publisher = Oxford University Press
 | year = 2005
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SJSDj1dDvNUC
 | isbn = 978-0-19-821737-4
 | access-date = 16 October 2020
 | archive-date = 5 February 2021
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210205180116/https://books.google.com/books?id=SJSDj1dDvNUC
 | url-status = live |ref={{harvid|Moody|2005}}
 }}
*{{cite book
 | last = Ryan
 | first = M.F.
 | title = The excavation of a Neolithic burial mound at Jerpoint West, Co. Kilkenny
 | year = 1973
 }}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{GeoGroup}}
*[http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/ Kilkenny County Council Website]
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Kilkenny (county)|display=Kilkenny, a county of Ireland, in the province of Leinster|short=x}}

{{Geographic location
|North     = [[County Laois]] [[File:Laoiscocologo.png|40px]]
|West      = [[County Tipperary]] [[File:IRL county Tipperary COA.png|24px]]
|Centre    = County Kilkenny
|East      = [[County Carlow]] [[File:Carlow County Crest.svg|26px]]
|Southeast = [[County Wexford]] [[File:IRL COA County Wexford 3D.svg|30px]] 
|South     = [[County Waterford]]
}}

{{County Kilkenny}}
{{Ireland counties}}
{{Authority control}}
<!-- see [[WP:SUBCAT#Topic_article_rule]] -->

[[Category:County Kilkenny| ]]
[[Category:Leinster|Kilkenny]]
[[Category:Counties of the Republic of Ireland|Kilkenny]]
[[Category:Local government areas of the Republic of Ireland|Kilkenny]]