2 - QVI Club
2 - QVI Club
2 - QVI Club
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Kilkenny’s Must - Visit List<br />
St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower<br />
These two iconic monuments have been an essential part of<br />
Kilkenny’s rich heritage since it was founded as a site for Christian<br />
worship in the 6th century. Named after St.Canice, this present<br />
cathedral dates from the 13th century and is the second longest<br />
in Ireland.<br />
The cathedral has been preserved through the years in its original<br />
Early Gothic style and form, with its many stained glass windows<br />
and limestone construction. Kilkenny’s oldest standing structure, the<br />
Round Tower, was built in the 9th century and stands stoically beside<br />
the cathedral. It is one of only two Round Towers in Ireland that can<br />
be climbed to the top. Ascend this one to admire the magnificent<br />
views of Kilkenny City, the river, and the surrounding countryside.<br />
Kilkenny Castle<br />
One of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle was<br />
the venue for the meeting of the General Assembly, or parliament,<br />
of the Confederate Ireland government in the 1640s. The castle was<br />
sold to the local Castle Restoration Committee in the mid 20th<br />
Century for £50. Shortly after, it was handed over to the State and<br />
opened to visitors after refurbishment. Since then, it has become<br />
one of Ireland’s most popular tourist sites, with ornamental<br />
gardens on the city side of the castle, an expanse of land and<br />
gardens at the front, and part of the National Art Gallery on display<br />
in the castle.<br />
The Irish love a<br />
great festival! Be it<br />
religious or secular<br />
in nature, festivals<br />
in Ireland are<br />
greatly celebrated<br />
affairs with lots of<br />
music, dancing, food<br />
and drink.<br />
Jerpoint Abbey<br />
For a glimpse of romantic ruins with Romanesque details and<br />
unique stone carvings, visit Jerpoint Abbey, a Cistercian abbey near<br />
Thomastown, about 20km south of Kilkenny city.<br />
The abbey was built around 1160 by the King of Ossory, Donal<br />
MacGillapatrick, for the Benedictine monks. In 1180 it was taken<br />
over by Cistercian monks from Baltinglass Abbey. The Cistercian<br />
order was founded in 1098 in Citeaux. The monastery was selfcontained,<br />
and included its own gardens, watermills, infirmary,<br />
cemetery, kitchens, granary, stables and other outbuildings.<br />
This national monument has been under the care of the Office<br />
of Public Works since 1880. While you’re there, be sure to drop by<br />
Newtown Jerpoint, where the ruins of a church still remain. Local<br />
legend has it that the grave of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) lies within!<br />
Dunmore Cave<br />
The name of Dunmore Cave is derived from the Irish words Dún<br />
Mór, which means ‘great fort’. It is a limestone cave located in<br />
Ballyfoyle, containing some of the finest calcite formations found<br />
in any Irish cave. Famous for being the site of a Viking massacre in<br />
928 A.D, the numerous human bones found in the cave are believed<br />
to be the victims’ remains. Till today, artefacts from this horrific<br />
event can still be found in the cave.<br />
Kilkenny’s Must - Do List<br />
Love Festivals – Like the Irish Do<br />
The Irish love a great festival! Be it religious or secular in nature,<br />
festivals in Ireland are greatly celebrated affairs with lots of music,<br />
dancing, food and drink. Most festivals and events are held during<br />
the summer months – the icing on the cake for tourists who flock<br />
to the city during this peak travel season!<br />
If you are planning a holiday to Kilkenny during this period, don’t<br />
miss the Smithwicks Rhythm and Roots Music Festival (late April),<br />
the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival (May), the Ballykeeffe Midsummer<br />
event (July), and the Kilkenny Arts Festival (August), which is also<br />
one of the city’s principal events.<br />
Shopping & Eating<br />
To explore the city at leisure, shop at MacDonagh Junction shopping<br />
centre, or indulge in a gastronomic feast at one of Kilkenny’s fine<br />
restaurants and bars. Kilkenny City has a vibrant nightlife, so don’t<br />
let the night slip away without partying at the local pubs!<br />
Live the Irish Life<br />
The medieval charm of this city beckons, so bask in the full glory of<br />
its idyllic beauty by traipsing along walking trails, going horse-riding<br />
in the countryside, or angling in River Nore, famous for its high trout<br />
and salmon population! Those who favour a taste of Irish sporting<br />
activities can go golfing, watch greyhound racing, and try carting.<br />
<strong>QVI</strong> <strong>Club</strong>, through XchangeWorld, offers you a wide selection of<br />
resorts throughout Ireland. The graceful 19th century 8-suite<br />
Knocktopher Abbey and its adjacent 7 Mews Cottages are located<br />
between Kilkenny and Waterford in beautiful countryside. To plan<br />
a holiday in Ireland, do contact <strong>QVI</strong> <strong>Club</strong> at +65 6491 0900 or at<br />
customercare@qviclub.com.