Kells, County Kilkenny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kells
Irish: Ceanannas
|
|
|---|---|
|
Village
|
|
Main St, Kells
|
|
 Kells
Location in Ireland
|
|
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | Kilkenny |
| Population
(2016)
|
274 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
Kells (which in Irish is Ceanannas) is a small village in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located about 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) south of the city of Kilkenny. The village sits on high ground near the Kings River. Kells is part of a larger area also called Kells, which includes a townland and a civil parish.
Contents
Exploring Kells Village
Kells is a place with a rich history and some interesting sights. Even though it's a small village, it has connections to ancient times and famous figures.
Kells Priory
One of the most important historical sites here is Kells Priory. A priory is a type of monastery. The Kells Priory is now in ruins, but it is still one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in Ireland. You can explore the old stone buildings and imagine what life was like there long ago.
The Cotterell Family
In medieval times, a powerful family called the Cotterells owned much of the land in Kells. One famous member of this family was Walter Cotterell. He was a lawyer and worked for the English Crown, often serving as a judge. He was a respected and important person in his time.
Kilree Round Tower and High Cross
Just 2 kilometers (about 1.2 miles) south of Kells, you can find the Kilree round tower and a 9th-century high cross. A high cross is a tall, stone cross, often decorated with carvings. It is believed that Niall Caille, an ancient Irish king, might be buried here. These old structures offer a glimpse into Ireland's early history.
Famous Connections
Kells has a few interesting connections to famous names.
Red Rum
Did you know that the famous racehorse Red Rum was born near Kells? He was bred at Rossenarra stud, a horse farm in the area. Red Rum is known for winning the Grand National horse race three times, which is a very rare achievement!
Michelle Smith de Bruin
The Olympian Michelle Smith de Bruin also lives in Kells. She is a well-known Irish athlete.
