Kilkenny (county)

Geographical position

Kilkenny County is located in southeast Ireland in the Nor River Valley. In the west, there is an administrative border with the South and North Tipperary , in the north - with Lees , in the east - with Carlow , in the southeast and south - with Waterford and Wexford .

The highest point of Kilkenny is Brandon Hill (515 m). The total area is 2073 km² (12th place in the country).

Climate

The warm North Atlantic Current , which is a continuation of the Gulf Stream , has a softening effect on the climate of the county. Moreover, due to its location, the territory of Kilkenny does not experience significant temperature changes.

The maximum air temperature in the county was recorded on June 26, 1887 and amounted to 33.3 ° C. The highest rainfall, 66.4 mm, fell on July 17, 1983 . In total, the warmest was August 1995, which accounted for 274.9 hours of sunshine and a temperature of about 30 ° C. The lowest temperature at −18.1 ° C was recorded on January 12, 1982 .

On average, Kilkenny annually has 4 days with snow on the ground, 9 days with hail and 5 days with thunderstorms.

Water resources

The county’s main waterway, which crosses its territory from north to south, is the Nor River. It flows along a fertile plain and has a well-developed network of tributaries.

Kilkenny's water resources are used by the local population to irrigate agricultural land and pasture. Until the middle of the XIX century , when the Great Famine occurred in Ireland, numerous breweries, sawmills, marble and wool factories, mills, etc. were located along the river banks.

Flora and fauna

The flora of the county is represented by such plant species as colchicum autumn , marsh orchid, small white orchid, Killarnian fern, small snapdragon, meadow barley , thyme , nettle , hemp and others.

Various fauna representatives live here: hedgehog , otter , badger , bat , fox , deer , doe , ermine , red squirrel , shrew .

Protected Areas

There are several active reserves in the county. One of the most famous, Fiddown Island , is located at the mouth of the Shur River. Its feature is marsh landscapes and geosystems unique to Ireland. Koan swamps located near Castlecomer and Smithstown are also considered a natural heritage. The nature of both reserves has a common glacial origin.

Other Specially Protected Areas: Nagginstone Fen - southeast of Ballyhol; Logans - Near Aglinford; Mount Callahil - near Castlecomer ; Galmy Fen - North of Johnstown. Also on this list is a plot downstream of the Shur River.

The state is guarded by many gardens in the county: Kilfein Glen (Thomastown), Woodstock (Inewage), Discovery Park (Castlecomer), Darver House (Jenkinson Town ), Sulkashin Garden (Johnstown), Emoklu Garden (Gorsbridge), Shankill Garden (Paul) Mouth Family Garden (Kilkenny) and others.

The first person in the territory occupied by modern county appeared in the Neolithic . Many archaeological sites of the time have survived to this day - dolmens , megaliths , ancient settlements, sites and burial grounds . One of the most ancient finds dates back to 3997–3728 years BC. e.

In the Middle Ages, after the Norman invasion, Ireland was divided into 32 counties. Kilkenny County was an integral part of the kingdom of Ossori , which existed from the II to XIII century . The kingdom’s borders with Manster and Lenster passed along the mouths of the Shur and Barrow rivers, as well as the Slive Bloom mountain range.

As of 2011, 95,419 people live in Kilkenny County. Of these, 38,619 people have Irish as their main language of communication. 39.8 thousand people work in organizations located in the region.

The annual natural increase in the county is about 650-700 people.

One of the most influential Enlightenment philosophers, George Berkeley ( born George Berkeley ; March 12, 1685 - January 14, 1753 ), known for his system of spiritualistic philosophy , was born in the county of Kilkenny near Thomastown ; Bishop of Cloyne in Ireland . He consistently developed the thesis that "being is either that which is perceived, or that which perceives."

Local government in the region is represented by the Kilkenny County Council, consisting of 26 deputies, including the chairman. The head of the county is the mayor, and the county manager and another 5 city ​​managers are directly involved in the field.

The local government is responsible for infrastructure, construction issues, environmental protection, as well as cultural and educational facilities.

Rail Transport

The Dublin - Waterford railway line runs through the county. The largest stations and stations are located in Kilkenny and Thomastown , and Waterford Station is located near the border of the region.

Road Transport

The main highways of national importance - M8 ( Mitchelstown - Arlingford - Darrow - Port Liische ); N9 ( Carlow - Waterford ); N78 ( Clonmel - Kilkenny - Kildare ); N25 ( Waterford - New Ross ); N77 ( Kilkenny - Darrow ).

The Éireann company is engaged in road transport, whose route network connects Kilkenny with almost all the counties of the country.

Air Transport

Air transport is represented by a small airport with a 1.5-kilometer runway, which is located just west of the city of Kilkenny.

Kilkenny has St. Luke’s and St. Canice's, as well as Aut Even Private Hospital. In addition, medical facilities are available in large counties of the county - Lourdes Hospital, specializing in orthopedics ; Castlekomer District Hospital, etc.

Rounded Towers

One of the features of traditional Irish architecture is the medieval round-shaped towers , which are represented in large numbers in the county. The most famous of these structures is the tower at St. Kanis Cathedral in Kilkenny. In addition, towers near Bennettsbridge, Kilry, Kells, Johnstown and Noctope are noteworthy.

Usually they are located in the immediate vicinity of a church or monastery, while the entrance to the tower is located on the west side.

Locks

One of the most famous fortifications in the county is of the same name Kilkenny . Previously, it belonged to the Butler and Fitzwalter families, but was sold to local authorities in the middle of the 20th century for a symbolic sum of £ 50. The state, as the new owner, renovated and restored the castle, making it open to visitors. In addition, today some of the exhibits of the National Art Gallery are exhibited here. There are decorative gardens next to the building.

The Folksrat Castle near the village of Jenkinstown , built in the 15th century in the style of Anglo-Norman architecture, is no less popular among tourists. It originally belonged to the Purcell clan, but was later confiscated by Oliver Cromwell in favor of England .

Temples

The county has preserved many churches and temples of the Middle Ages . The cathedrals of St. Mary and St. Kanis (the second highest cathedral in Ireland) are noteworthy. You can also note the Lachtein church in the town of Freshford, built in 1731 , with a portal from the old Romanesque church in 1100 .

Abbeys

The Cistercian Abbey Gerpoint , located near Thomastown, was built in 1180 on the site of the previously existing Benedictine monastery of 1160 built. The Gerpoint stands out for its medieval architecture, as well as carvings on stone walls and tombs.

Dewes Abbey was founded in 1204 and was one of the first and largest Cistercian monasteries in Ireland . It got its name in honor of the river of the same name, which flows nearby. The architectural style of the building is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic .

Black Dominican Abbey was founded in 1225 , later, in 1325 - significantly expanded.

Gaelic Football

There is a Gaelic football team in the county, Kilkenny ”, Which traces its history to the end of the 19th century - the first championship was won by it in 1886 . Club colors - black and amber. However, this team is the only county team not to compete in the All-Ireland Championship .

Hurling

Kilkenny curling team is in the top division of Ireland and is part of the Kilkenny club »In Gaelic games representing the county in the All-Ireland Championship and National League. The team won the national championship 31 times, as well as the Lenster championship 64 times and the National Hurling League 13 times. Along with Cork and Tipperary , Kilkenny is included in the so-called “Big Three” of the best teams in the world.

Horse Racing

Since 1914, one of the most prestigious horse races in Ireland has been held at Gowren Park Racecourse. During the year, up to 16 different competitions are held here.

Golf

Mount Juliet, a golf course in Ireland, is located in Thomastown. The leading world competitions in this sport are regularly held here (Mount Juliet hosted athletes as part of the WGC-American Express Championship in 2002 and 2004 ; as well as the European Tour in 1993 - 1995 ).

• Kilkenny County Council Website
• Map of kilkenny