ABOUT THIS INTERESTING NETWORK OF NARROW LANEWAYS
During my visit to Kilkenny in 2018, the persistent rain and my non-weatherproof camera posed challenges. The resulting underexposed photographs initially seemed unusable. However, with the help of advanced software, I have since been able to compensate for noise and other defects, bringing the images back to life.
One brief respite from the rain allowed me to explore a network of narrow lanes. I ventured along Coach Road, Church Lane, Troy's Court, and Loreto (Loretto) View.
I later discovered that these winding pathways are a hallmark of Kilkenny's medieval city centre, offering glimpses into its rich history and architectural heritage.
Here's a closer look at the lanes I visited:
Coach Road:
History: This narrow, stone-walled laneway runs along the north side of St. Canice's Cathedral and its graveyard. Its name likely stems from its use as a route for horse-drawn coaches, as evidenced by a 1689 cathedral log entry detailing the creation of a coachway for the Duke of Ormond.
Features: Primarily a pedestrian thoroughfare, it lacks shops or commercial buildings.
Points of Interest: The lane itself is historically significant, offering unique perspectives of the cathedral's architecture and access to the cathedral grounds.
Church Lane:
History: As the name suggests, this short, narrow lane connects Coach Road to St. Canice's Cathedral, reflecting its close association with the cathedral and surrounding ecclesiastical buildings.
Points of Interest: Lined with stone walls and historic buildings, the lane provides picturesque views of the cathedral.
Troy's Court:
History: This lane likely derives its name from its proximity to Troy's Gate, one of four gates into the medieval borough of Irishtown. The gate, in turn, was named after the de Troyes family, Anglo-Norman knights with a prominent role in the area's history. Irishtown, encompassing the area around St. Canice's Cathedral, predates the Anglo-Norman arrival in Ireland.
Significance: While not part of the original settlement, Troy's Court serves as a reminder of the area's rich history and the influence of the Anglo-Normans.
Loreto View:
History: Named after the Loretto Convent, a notable educational institution nearby.
Features: This small lane offers views of the convent and its gardens.
Spelling Variation: While the standard spelling is "Loretto," the alternative "Loreto View" is sometimes seen on maps and signage due to historical variations, local usage, or typographical errors.
Kilkenny's Laneway Network:
Kilkenny boasts many other narrow lanes, each with its own history and charm. Examples include Butter Slip, The Butts, and Pennyfeather Lane. These lanes developed over centuries, serving as access routes, defensive features, and commercial channels. Today, they offer a unique way to experience the city's heritage.
Irishtown and Englishtown:
The terms "Irishtown" and "Englishtown" emerged after the Norman conquest to differentiate the original Irish settlement (around St. Canice's Cathedral) from the new Norman settlement within the city walls. These names reflected the social and cultural divide of the time. While the communities eventually merged, the names persist as reminders of Kilkenny's complex history.
Loreto/Loretto Clarification:
The religious order founded by Frances Ball in Ireland is officially known as the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM). The initial use of "Loretto" for the Irish branch's houses was inspired by the shrine in Loreto, Italy. Later, the spelling was standardised to "Loreto," aligning with the Italian spelling, while the official name of the order remained IBVM.
One brief respite from the rain allowed me to explore a network of narrow lanes. I ventured along Coach Road, Church Lane, Troy's Court, and Loreto (Loretto) View.
I later discovered that these winding pathways are a hallmark of Kilkenny's medieval city centre, offering glimpses into its rich history and architectural heritage.
Here's a closer look at the lanes I visited:
Coach Road:
History: This narrow, stone-walled laneway runs along the north side of St. Canice's Cathedral and its graveyard. Its name likely stems from its use as a route for horse-drawn coaches, as evidenced by a 1689 cathedral log entry detailing the creation of a coachway for the Duke of Ormond.
Features: Primarily a pedestrian thoroughfare, it lacks shops or commercial buildings.
Points of Interest: The lane itself is historically significant, offering unique perspectives of the cathedral's architecture and access to the cathedral grounds.
Church Lane:
History: As the name suggests, this short, narrow lane connects Coach Road to St. Canice's Cathedral, reflecting its close association with the cathedral and surrounding ecclesiastical buildings.
Points of Interest: Lined with stone walls and historic buildings, the lane provides picturesque views of the cathedral.
Troy's Court:
History: This lane likely derives its name from its proximity to Troy's Gate, one of four gates into the medieval borough of Irishtown. The gate, in turn, was named after the de Troyes family, Anglo-Norman knights with a prominent role in the area's history. Irishtown, encompassing the area around St. Canice's Cathedral, predates the Anglo-Norman arrival in Ireland.
Significance: While not part of the original settlement, Troy's Court serves as a reminder of the area's rich history and the influence of the Anglo-Normans.
Loreto View:
History: Named after the Loretto Convent, a notable educational institution nearby.
Features: This small lane offers views of the convent and its gardens.
Spelling Variation: While the standard spelling is "Loretto," the alternative "Loreto View" is sometimes seen on maps and signage due to historical variations, local usage, or typographical errors.
Kilkenny's Laneway Network:
Kilkenny boasts many other narrow lanes, each with its own history and charm. Examples include Butter Slip, The Butts, and Pennyfeather Lane. These lanes developed over centuries, serving as access routes, defensive features, and commercial channels. Today, they offer a unique way to experience the city's heritage.
Irishtown and Englishtown:
The terms "Irishtown" and "Englishtown" emerged after the Norman conquest to differentiate the original Irish settlement (around St. Canice's Cathedral) from the new Norman settlement within the city walls. These names reflected the social and cultural divide of the time. While the communities eventually merged, the names persist as reminders of Kilkenny's complex history.
Loreto/Loretto Clarification:
The religious order founded by Frances Ball in Ireland is officially known as the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM). The initial use of "Loretto" for the Irish branch's houses was inspired by the shrine in Loreto, Italy. Later, the spelling was standardised to "Loreto," aligning with the Italian spelling, while the official name of the order remained IBVM.
ABOUT THIS INTERESTING NETWORK OF NARROW LANEWAYS