The Great Duke of Ormonde 1610-1688

Written and read by Eamonn Kiely (2019) This man ruled Ireland for thirty nine years on behalf of the British King. He was successively Earl Marquess and Duke. He was […]

The Red Book of Ormond

Eamonn Kiely At a meeting of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society on 13th of January 1858 Rev James Graves, founder of the Society, presented an unusual exhibit to the gathering. It […]

The Hole in the Wall

The Hole in the Wall Edward J. Law (2013) At the end of the 18th century a small tavern in Kilkenny city was at the centre of the city’s night […]

Attack on Kilkenny Castle 1922

The Attack On Kilkenny Castle, 2 May 1922 Eamonn Kiely Imagine the scene – the Earl of Ossory looks out into the courtyard from his room near the west tower […]

Ormonde Silver

The Ormonde Silver Eamonn Kiely In 1967 Arthur Butler, 6th Marquess of Ormonde and 24th Earl left Kilkenny Castle to a restoration committee and ultimately to the State. At the […]

1812 Overture at Kilkenny Castle

1812 Overture at Kilkenny Castle Eamonn Kiely Tchaikovsky’s music , accompanied for the first time in Ireland by artillery fire, was featured for the opening of Arts Week on 23rd […]

Ballooning in Kilkenny

Ballooning in Kilkenny Edward J Law (2015) The crowds which assemble in Kilkenny’s Castle Park whenever it is the venue for the launch of gaily-coloured hot-air balloons, show the strong […]

Bassett’s Guide

This is Ken Kinsella talking about Bassett’s Kilkenny Guide and Directory. Bassett’s Kilkenny Guide and Directory, published in 1884, provides an interesting commentary on life in the late 19th century. […]

The Book of Pottlerath

The Book of Pottlerath EAMONN KIELY A recent exhibition of excerpts from the Book of Pottlerath on display in Kilkenny Castle has generated considerable interest in the ancient Manuscript. The […]