Kilkenny Castle

City Kilkenny (Kilkenny - English, Cill Chainnigh - Irish) is located in Eastern Ireland. The village lies along the river Nord. Among the most interesting sights are the medieval center of the town where Kilkenny castle and the Cathedral College are located. The very impressive castle stands on a strategic height, which offers the view of the passing Nord River. The building of the castle is considered one of the precious buildings in Ireland.

The first information about the city dates from the 8th century, when Kilkenny was the capital of the Norman Kingdom Osorno and the seat of the first independent Irish parliament. Today the town is a center of Irish history and culture and craftsmanship.

Kilkenny Castle is the successor of an older wooden structure that was built here in 12th century. The first stone castle built at the site of today's castle was built by Earl William Marshall, who graduated from his palace in 1213 which represented a mere mansion palatial structure of a square with each corner standing a watchtower. Three of the four towers were able to be maintained till today.

In 1391 Kilkenny Castle was bought by the Butler family, which remained to live in it until 1935. The family is the progeny of counts and dukes of Ormond, and as such was their main office for more than five hundred years. Their remarkable family will forever remain in history of the country with its social and political flexibility and they always remained faithful to the Crown. Favorable fate of Kilkenny Castle is largely due to the sound of the Butler place in society during these five centuries.

The Kilkenny Castle and its adjacent lands are handed over to the management of the local public works agency in 1967 and today the palace Kilkenny and magnificent gardens and woodlands around it are open for public visits. The gardens, located south of the castle are planted with shrubs and trees that provide year round greenery to the park.

In the main tower now often holds conferences. The tourist tour of Kilkenny takes about 45 minutes. Today also conducted in Kilkenny is the Arts Festival - one of the oldest events of its kind in Ireland and is devoted primarily to classical music.