List of national monuments in County Kilkenny facts for kids
The Irish government has officially named many special places in County Kilkenny as "national monuments." These are important buildings or sites that the country wants to protect. If the land around a monument helps keep it safe, that land can also be protected. These monuments tell us a lot about Ireland's history!
Contents
- Ancient Sites and Tombs
- Historic Castles
- Churches and Monasteries
- Aghaviller Church and Round Tower
- Ballylarkin Church
- Callan Augustinian Friary
- St. Mary's Church, Callan
- Kilkieran High Crosses
- Clonamery Church
- St. John's Abbey, Kilkenny
- St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran
- Graiguenamanagh Abbey
- Grangefertagh Round Tower and Church
- Jerpoint Abbey
- Kilfane Church
- Killamery High Cross
- Kilree Church, Round Tower & Cross
- Kells Priory
- Sheepstown Church
- St. Francis Abbey, Kilkenny
- Thomastown Church
- Tullaherin Round Tower
- Tullaroan Church
- Ullard Church
- St. Lachtain's Church, Freshford
- Other Notable Sites
- See also
Ancient Sites and Tombs
Some of the oldest national monuments in Kilkenny are ancient burial sites.
Kilmogue Portal Tomb
The Kilmogue Portal Tomb is a type of ancient grave called a Dolmen. It was built a very long time ago, possibly around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago! It's made of huge stones that form a chamber, which was likely covered by earth.
Knockroe Passage Tomb
The Knockroe Passage Tomb is another ancient burial site. It's a passage tomb, which means it has a long stone-lined hallway leading to a burial chamber. These tombs were often used for many burials and sometimes have amazing ancient art carved into their stones.
Ballyboodan Ogham Stone
The Ballyboodan Ogham Stone is a tall stone with special carvings called Ogham. Ogham is an ancient Irish alphabet, one of the first ways people wrote in Ireland. This stone dates back to between 700 and 900 AD.
Rathealy Ringfort
A Ringfort is an old circular area, usually surrounded by an earth bank and ditch. The Rathealy Ringfort is one of these ancient settlements. People lived in ringforts for hundreds of years, from the Iron Age up to medieval times.
Historic Castles
Kilkenny is home to several impressive castles, showing its rich medieval past.
Clara Castle
Clara Castle is a well-preserved tower house. These types of castles were built by wealthy families in Ireland, especially during the 15th and 16th centuries, for protection and as homes.
Coolhill Castle
Coolhill Castle features a Donjon, which is the main tower or stronghold of a castle. It was designed to be the strongest part, offering the best defense.
Burnchurch Castle
Burnchurch Castle is another historic castle with a tall tower. It stands as a reminder of the powerful families who lived in the area long ago.
Magdalan Castle
Located in Kilkenny City, Magdalan Castle is an important part of the city's history, showing how people lived and defended themselves in medieval times.
Kells Castle
Kells Castle is a motte and bailey castle. This was an early type of castle, where a wooden tower (the bailey) was built on top of a raised earth mound (the motte). They were common after the Normans arrived in Ireland.
Callan Motte
The Callan Motte is another example of an early castle defense. It's a large mound of earth that would have once held a wooden tower, providing a good view and defense point.
Churches and Monasteries
Many national monuments in Kilkenny are old churches and religious sites, showing the importance of faith in Irish history.
Aghaviller Church and Round Tower
At Aghaviller, you can find the ruins of a church and a tall, slender round tower. Round towers were built by monks in early Christian Ireland, often used as bell towers, lookouts, or places of refuge.
Ballylarkin Church
Ballylarkin Church is an old church that has been officially protected. It shows the style of church building from centuries ago.
Callan Augustinian Friary
A friary is a type of monastery where friars (religious brothers) lived and worked. The Callan Augustinian Friary was home to the Augustinians, a religious order.
St. Mary's Church, Callan
St. Mary's Church in Callan is another important historic church in the county.
Kilkieran High Crosses
The Kilkieran High Crosses are large, decorated stone crosses. High crosses are unique to Ireland and Britain, often featuring detailed carvings of Bible stories or Celtic patterns.
Clonamery Church
Clonamery Church is an old church that is now a protected national monument, showing its historical value.
St. John's Abbey, Kilkenny
St. John's Abbey, Kilkenny was an Augustinian Priory, a type of monastery. Parts of the original building, including the chancel (the part of the church where the altar is), are still standing and protected.
St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran
A Collegiate Church is a church that was run by a college of canons (priests) rather than a bishop or a monastery. St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran is a significant example.
Graiguenamanagh Abbey
Graiguenamanagh Abbey was a Cistercian monastery. The Cistercians were a group of monks known for their simple lives and beautiful architecture.
Grangefertagh Round Tower and Church
Similar to Aghaviller, Grangefertagh also has a historic round tower and the remains of a church.
Jerpoint Abbey
Jerpoint Abbey is one of Ireland's most famous Cistercian abbeys. Its ruins are very well preserved and show amazing medieval carvings and architecture.
Kilfane Church
Kilfane Church is another historic church that has been designated a national monument.
Killamery High Cross
The Killamery High Cross is a single, beautifully carved high cross, similar to those at Kilkieran.
Kilree Church, Round Tower & Cross
The site of Kilree has a church, a round tower, and a cross, making it a very important historical and religious complex.
Kells Priory
Kells Priory was a large Augustinian priory. Its extensive ruins are very impressive and show how large and important these religious communities were.
Sheepstown Church
Sheepstown Church is another protected church ruin, adding to the list of Kilkenny's historic religious sites.
St. Francis Abbey, Kilkenny
St. Francis Abbey in Kilkenny was a Franciscan Friary. The Franciscans were another important religious order in medieval Ireland.
Thomastown Church
Thomastown Church is a historic church in the town of Thomastown.
Tullaherin Round Tower
Tullaherin is home to another of Kilkenny's ancient round towers.
Tullaroan Church
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Tullaroan Church is a protected church ruin with interesting historical features.
Ullard Church
Ullard Church is another ancient church that has been preserved as a national monument.
St. Lachtain's Church, Freshford
St. Lachtain's Church, Freshford is an important historic church in the town of Freshford.
Other Notable Sites
Kilkenny also has other unique national monuments that are not castles or churches.
Dunmore Cave
Dunmore Cave is a fascinating cave system. It's known for its amazing rock formations and for being the site of a Viking massacre in the 10th century.
Shee Alms House
The Shee Alms House was a building where poor or elderly people could live. It's an example of early social welfare and charity.
Kyteler's Inn
Kyteler's Inn is a very old public house (a pub) in Kilkenny City. It's famous for its connection to Dame Alice Kyteler, who was accused of witchcraft in the 14th century!
Archer Mansion
The Archer Mansion is an early modern townhouse. These houses show how wealthy families lived in towns a few centuries ago.
Rothe House
Rothe House is another example of an early modern townhouse. It's actually a complex of three houses, courtyards, and a garden, giving a great look into urban life in the 17th century.
See also
