KILKENNY

WAS A MAJOR EUROPEAN BREWING CENTRE

THE OLDER ST JOHN’S CHURCH IN KILKENNY AUGUST 2018 -234331-1

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ANGLICAN COMMUNION

KILKENNY PHOTO COLLECTIONS AUGUST 2018

During my 2018 visit to Kilkenny it rained almost constantly. I had almost given up and was sheltering in my hotel room across the street from this old church when I noticed a break in the weather and that there were many people outside the gates of the church so I took the opportunity to visit the churchyard as I could not gain access earlier in my visit.

St. John’s Priory, established in the 13th century by the Augustinian Order, is much older than St John’s Catholic church which is nearby. It is a remarkable example of medieval architecture and a National Monument of Ireland.

The Lady Chapel, the most well-preserved part of the priory, is now used as a parish church of the Church of Ireland. It’s known for its beautiful stained glass windows, which were once considered some of the finest in Ireland, earning it the nickname “Lantern of Ireland.”

The ruins of the rest of the priory, including the nave and chancel, are also of great historical and architectural interest. They provide a glimpse into the lives of the Augustinian canons who lived and worshipped there for centuries.

DEAN STREET TO BUTT’S GREEN -234291-1

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IN 2018 I EXPLORED A NARROW LANE NETWORK IN KILKENNY

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS NETWORK OF LANEWAYS

THE INTERIOR OF SAINT CANICE’S CATHEDRAL

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KILKENNY MAY 2016

It was very difficult to photograph within the building and close to impossible without using a flash and that is against by policy. I have had to process the images to the extent that they begin to look somewhat artificial.

The first time explored the interior of the cathedral the experience was excellent but this time I found the staff/volunteers to be unhelpful when I sought specific information.

The present building dates from the 13th century and is the second longest cathedral in Ireland, after St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. Beside the cathedral stands a 100 ft (30 m) 9th-century round tower. St Canice’s tower is an example of a well-preserved 9th-century “Celtic Christian” round tower. It is dedicated to St Canice. It is one of only three such medieval round towers in Ireland that can still be climbed to the top, the other two being Kildare Round Tower in Kildare Town and Devenish Round Tower in County Fermanagh.

Following the English Reformation, the reformed church in Ireland was established by decree of the Irish Parliament to become the state church in the Kingdom of Ireland as the Church of Ireland, taking possession of most church property (and so retaining a great repository of religious architecture and other items, though some were later destroyed).

The substantial majority of the population, however, remained faithful to Roman Catholicism, despite the political and economic advantages of membership in the state church. Since St Canice’s Cathedral was taken over in this way, Roman Catholic adherents were consequently obliged to worship elsewhere. St Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny was later built for the Roman Catholic diocese.

The cathedral contains some 16th-century monuments. The architectural style of the cathedral is Early Gothic and is built of limestone. It is richly endowed with many stained glass windows, including the east window which is a replica of the original 13th-century window. The cathedral contains some of the finest 16th-century monuments in Ireland.

MICHAEL STREET IN KILKENNY AT NIGHT AND IN THE RAIN

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MAY 2016

I made two mistakes when I decided to visit Kilkenny in May 2016 – It got dark earlier than what suited me and there was constant rain.

Saint Michael’s Gate was an approach into the priory, hence the name Michael Street adjoining. The old infantry barracks, now Evan’s Asylum, was part of the abbey.

THE TEA HOUSES AS THEY WERE IN 2016

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THE IMMEDIATE AREA HAS BEEN REDEVELOPED

The large structure had been demolished to make way for the new scenic riverside park within an area of the town now known as the Abbey Quarter.

Marrying the old with the new, the riverside garden leads you through the former St Francis’ Abbey Brewery and into a modern skatepark that has been designed for and by Kilkenny’s own skateboarding community who now have a park of their own

The project provides a riverside walk from the Tea Houses at Bateman Quay to Greensbridge, with a temporary walkway provided in the area of the planned new Urban Park around St. Francis Abbey.

The Riverside Garden project incorporates the newly completed skate park, which opened to the public on May 1. The amenity is already well used by skaters of all abilities and ages

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