Kilkenny with Mick

Kilkenny is a medieval city of 24,000 people acclaimed internationally as a centre for craft and design. Each year Kilkenny hosts a number of international festivals and this year the city is to celebrate its 400^th birthday by putting on a festival which will run until December 31^st 2009. The action will take place every weekend and will include street theatre, music and dance, comedy gigs and. See www.kilkenny400.ie for info.

Kilkenny is characterised by many beautifully restored buildings and winding slipways - it is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating historical buildings and contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants.

The ancient city of Kilkenny was named after a 6th century monk St Canice.His memory lives on in the beautifully restored St Canice’s Cathedral, built overlooking the city in the thirteenth century.

The Market which Mick visits in the video is held every Thursday in Market Yard, which has been the traditional market location for centuries.

One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland , Kilkenny Castle , has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first castle, probably a wooden structure, in the 12th Century. The castle stands majestic in extensive parkland and is open year round to visitors who can explore its highlights including the Great Hall, the Long Gallery and the Library.

When you arrive in the city of Kilkenny , you can’t miss Kilkenny Castle.

Thomastown is a quaint rural medieval town in East Kilkenny surrounded by the Nore Valley . It is known for its beautiful streetscapes and as an artistic centre home to many musicians and painters.

Jerpoint Abbey is most interesting and is the best-preserved Cistercian ruins in the country, with finely sculpted lords and ladies forming part of the restored cloisters. It offers a visitor centre, guide service and facilities.

Thomastown is where you will find the Blackberry Café and Kilkenny Vintage Guitars as featured in Tourism Ireland’s video

Kells Priory is one of the largest and most impressive medieval monuments in Ireland . It is located by the Kings River in the town of Kells , just fifteen kilometers from Kilkenny City .

The existing extensive ruin mostly dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. It consists of a church, a chapel, prior's residence or sacristy, and a number of domestic buildings, all standing on an enclosed site of some 4 acres.

To view more of Kilkenny and its stunning medieval scenery visit www.yahoo.co.uk/discoverireland.

Some of the many events in Kilkenny over the coming months are listed below but for more information and more exciting opportunities visit http://www.discoverireland.com

Carlsberg Cat Laughs Comedy Festival

28 May 2009 - 01 June 2009

Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival is a five day international festival of stand up comedy in the beautiful Medieval city of Kilkenny . This comedy festival is rated as one of the top five in the world and is a must for comedy lovers! Note that the full line up and ticket booking details are now available on the website for the 2009 Carlsberg Cat Laughs Comedy Festival. Click here to find out more

Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre -Mid Summer Festival

26 June 2009 - 16 August 2009

Ballykeeffe is a unique venue. Set in a disused quarry, which backs onto a wooded hill, its atmosphere and acoustics have to be experienced to be appreciated fully. Developed by "KBK" a local community group, has promoted the development of Ballykeeffe quarry to its current stage, which is an outdoor auditorium for theatrical, musical events and concerts since 2000. Click here for further details.

Kilkenny Arts Festival

07 August 2009 - 16 August 2009

Kilkenny Arts Festival - 7 to 16 August 2009. Kilkenny Arts Festival, is ten days of the best in music, art, theatre, craft, dance and literature. The Festival is renowned for the excellence of its programme, chosen by a panel curators, each one a specialist in a strand of the arts. They brings acts and exhibits from all over the world to the intimate setting of the medieval city, providing the opportunity to be excited, delighted and provoked right on your doorstep. The 2009 programme for the festival will be out in July but meanwhile for updates see www.kilkennyarts.ie.

Duiske Concert Season

13 November 2009 - 20 November 2009

A unique chance to hear Classical and Traditional music in a 13th century setting.Since 1991 Duiske Abbey in Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny has hosted a series of concerts in the 13th century abbey, featuring a wide range of classical and Irish traditional musicians and singers. The 19th programme of concerts will take place, as usual, in November and will feature an eclectic and impressive list of artists from Ireland and overseas.