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Church · Kilkenny, Kilkenny
St Canice's Cathedral
A 13th-century Gothic cathedral, the second longest in Ireland, with carved stone tombs of the Butler family and, beside it, a 9th-century round tower that can be climbed by internal stairs.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About St Canice's Cathedral
The Catedral de St Canice sits at the northern end of the Medieval Mile, atop a small hill, on the site where Saint Canice founded a monastery in the 6th century. The present building was constructed between 1202 and 1285 in English Gothic style, using local limestone. It is the second-longest cathedral in Ireland at about 70 metres, and belongs to the Church of Ireland.
The interior houses one of the country's richest collections of funerary sculpture: stone tombs and effigies from the 13th to the 17th centuries, such as that of Piers Butler, eighth Earl of Ormonde, and his wife Margaret Fitzgerald. In the nave is Saint Kieran’s chair, a 13th-century stone seat, and a model shows the city as it was in the 17th century.
Beside the cathedral stands the round tower, built around the 9th century, about 30 metres high. It is Kilkenny’s oldest structure and one of the few round towers in Ireland that may be climbed: access is by steep wooden stairs, and from the top you can see the town, the river and the castle. The climb has age restrictions and depends on the weather.
The stone steps that rise from the street to the cathedral, the St Canice's Steps, date from 1614. Around them, the Irishtown quarter was the Irish part of the medieval town, separated from Englishtown on the castle side.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 to 45 minutes in the cathedral; plus 20 to 30 minutes to climb the tower.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, on dry, windless days, to climb the tower. On Sundays the visit is restricted because of services.
How to get there
It is on Coach Road, at the end of Parliament Street, a 15-minute walk from the castle along the Medieval Mile.
Tip
Climb the round tower if you have the stamina: the view of Kilkenny from the top is worth the climb. Enter via the 1614 staircase that leads off Dean Street.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about St Canice's Cathedral
Can you climb the round tower?
Yes, by steep wooden stairs inside the tower. There are age rules, and the ascent can be suspended in windy or rainy conditions.
Where does the name Kilkenny come from?
From the Irish Cill Chainnigh, the church of Canice, the monk who founded a monastery on the site of the cathedral in the 6th century.
Is the cathedral Catholic?
No. It belongs to the Igreja da Irlanda, of Anglican tradition. The city's main Catholic church is St Mary's Cathedral, from the 19th century.