Kilkenny

Kilkenny stands on the River Nore, where an old ecclesiastical settlement and an Anglo-Norman town grew into one of Ireland's great inland centres. St Canice's Cathedral and its round tower rise above the older church settlement, while the castle commands the river and the medieval streets below. The Butlers, earls of Ormond, acquired the castle in 1391 and made it a seat of their considerable power. Walls and gates enclosed a town of merchants, craftsmen and religious houses.

In 1366 an English parliament meeting at Kilkenny enacted statutes intended to separate English settlers from the Gaelic Irish. Nearly three centuries later the city became the centre of a very different political assembly. After the rising of 1641, the Catholic Confederation met here; its general assembly gathered in October 1642, bringing together clergy and lay representatives, and its council governed much of Ireland during the ensuing wars. Kilkenny Castle housed the council, and the city's defences were strengthened.

The Confederation's divisions and the advance of Parliamentarian armies ended that moment of authority. In 1650 Oliver Cromwell besieged Kilkenny, which surrendered after a short siege and assault. The city retained the castle, churches and streets that testified to its long importance, even as its brief role at the heart of an Irish government came to an end.