St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower
St Canice's Cathedral
A 13th-century Gothic cathedral beside a 9th-century round tower you can climb for views over the city. The name Kilkenny comes from here.
Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) means 'church of Canice'. The cathedral was built in the 13th century and is the second-longest medieval cathedral in Ireland. Inside you'll find finely carved stone tomb effigies, the black marble St Canice's Chair and medieval stained glass. The round tower beside it, about 30 metres tall, dates from the 9th century and is the oldest building in the city. Steep stairs lead to the top, where you can look out over the old town and the River Nore. The cathedral and the round tower can be visited separately or on a combined ticket. Children under 12 are not allowed to climb the tower, and it closes in high winds or heavy rain. Sunday morning services mean shorter opening hours that day.
Opening hours
Mon–Sat approx. 10:00–17:00; open Sunday afternoons (round tower weather permitting)
Nearby sights
- Black Abbey
- Rothe House & Garden
- Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny
- Kyteler's Inn
- Medieval Mile
- Medieval Mile Museum
- Butler Gallery
- Kilkenny Castle