County Kilkenny () is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Leinster and is part of the Southern Region. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. Kilkenny County Council is the local authority for the county. At the 2022 census the population of the county was 103,685. The county was based on the historic Gaelic kingdom of Ossory (Osraighe), which was coterminous with the Diocese of Ossory.
Geography and subdivisions Kilkenny is the 16th-largest of Ireland's 32 counties by area and the 21st-largest in terms of population. It is the third-largest of Leinster's 12 counties in size, the seventh-largest in terms of population, and has a population density of 50 people per km2. Kilkenny borders five counties – Tipperary to the west, Waterford to the south, Carlow and Wexford to the east, and Laois to the north. Kilkenny city is the county's seat of local government and largest settlement, and is situated on the River Nore in the centre of the county. Kilkenny city is approximately from Waterford, from Dublin and from Cork.
Physical geography
The River Nore flows through the county, and the River Suir forms the border with County Waterford. Brandon Hill is the highest point with an elevation of . Most of the county has a hilly surface of moderate elevation with uplands in the north-east, the north-west and the South of the county; the middle is lower by comparison.()
The county is located at and has an area of . The county extends from 52 degrees 14 minutes to 52 degrees 52 minutes north latitude, and from 6 degrees 56 minutes to 7 degrees 37 minutes west longitude. The north–south length of the county is ; and its greatest breadth from east to west, is about and its narrowest part is about from where it widens irregularly towards the north.
Kilkenny extends southward from Laois to the valley of the Suir and eastward from the Munster–Leinster border to the River Barrow. The River Nore bisects the county, and the River Barrow and River Suir are natural boundaries to the east and south of the county. County Kilkenny is bordered by Laois, Carlow, Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary.
Rivers
The main rivers in County Kilkenny, called the Three Sisters, are the Nore, Barrow and Suir.() The River Nore bisects the county and flows through Ballyragget, Kilkenny City and the villages of Bennettsbridge, Thomastown and Inistioge. The River Suir forms the border between County Waterford and County Kilkenny.
The Barrow forms part of the county's eastern boundary. Tributaries of the Barrow in the county include the Gowran River and the Ballyvalden River (with its tributary the Monefelim River).
Although County Kilkenny lies inland it has access to the sea via Belview Port, Port of Waterford, on the Suir Estuary and via New Ross on the River Barrow. On the River Barrow, from the villages of Goresbridge and Graiguenamanagh, there is a navigable river with traditional barges to the River Shannon or to Dublin Bay. Kilkenny's river network helps drain the land giving the county a highly fertile lower central plain.County Kilkenny , Ireland BywaysKilkenny County Development Plan 2008-2014 (PDF), Landscape Appraisal for County Kilkenny, Kilkennycoco.ie
Kings River and the Dinan are used for canoeing and kayaking as they contain stretches of peaceful waterways and a number of weirs and rapids. The wide and meandering Rivers Nore and Barrow are used for angling, boating and water sports.
Protected areas
Special Areas of Conservation, under the European Union Habitats Directive, in County KilkennySpecial Areas of Conservation in County Kilkenny – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. includes Hugginstown FenHugginstown Fen (SAC IE0000404). Site Synopsis – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 (data set ) – European Environment Agency. south-west of Ballyhale, The LoughansThe Loughans (SAC IE0000407). Site Synopsis – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 (data set ) – European Environment Agency. near Urlingford, Cullahill MountainCullahill Mountain (SAC IE0000831). Site Synopsis , Conservation Plan and maps (1 ,2 ,3 ) – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 (data set ) – European Environment Agency. on the Castlecomer Plateau near Johnstown, Spahill and Clomantagh HillSpahill and Clomantagh Hill (SAC IE0000849). Site Synopsis – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 (data set ) – European Environment Agency. which form part of an escarpment which links the Slieveardagh Hills with the Castlecomer Plateau, Galmoy FenGalmoy Fen (SAC IE0001858). Site Synopsis – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 (data set ) – European Environment Agency. north of Johnstown, Lower River SuirLower River Suir (SAC IE0002137). Site Synopsis – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 (data set ) – European Environment Agency. south of Thurles, the freshwater stretches of the Barrow/River NoreRiver Barrow and River Nore (IE0002162). Site Synopsis – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 (data set ) – European Environment Agency. and Thomastown Quarry, near Thomastown.Thomastown Quarry (SAC IE0002252) – Site Synopsis – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 data set – European Environment Agency.
In 2005 Coan Bogs was defined as a Natural Heritage Area under section 18 of the Wildlife Act 2000.Natural Heritage Area (COAN BOGS NHA 002382) Order 2005 STATIONERY OFFICE DUBLIN The blanket bog consists of two small areas of upland blanket bog located near Castlecomer in the townlands of Coan East and Smithstown.Coan Bogs NHA Site Synopsis National Parks and Wildlife Service Bedrock geology for both areas is shale overlain locally by glacial till and blanket bog vegetation is well developed.Coan Bogs NHA 002382 National Parks and Wildlife Service
Fiddown Island is a 62.6 ha state-owned Nature Reserve established in 1988.. Near Fiddown along the River Suir it consists of a long narrow island of marsh/woodland covered in willow scrub and bordered by reed swamps – it is the only known site of its type in Ireland.Fiddown Island Nature Reserve National Parks and Wildlife Service
Wildlife
The wildlife of County Kilkenny is part of the county's biodiversity and is an environmental, economic, amenity and resource.
Fauna of County Kilkenny includes hedgehogs, otters, badgers, red foxes, and bats such as Leisler's bat, Daubenton's bat, the brown long-eared bat and the common pipistrelle. There is also sika deer, fallow deer, stoat, red squirrel and pygmy shrew. The bird nesting period is from 1 March until 1 September. Woodlands, trees and hedgerows form a network of habitats, ecological 'corridors' essential for wildlife to flourish and move between habitats.
Flora of County Kilkenny includes the endangered autumn crocus, also rare species such as the bog orchid, the Killarney fern and the tufted salt-marsh grass.. Npws.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08. There are also vulnerable species like lesser snapdragon, meadow barley, small-white orchid, opposite-leaved pondweed, betony, red hemp nettle, narrow-leaved helleborine, lanceolate spleenwort, annual knawel and basil thyme.
Woodlands
Surveys of woodlands of County Kilkenny include A Woodland Survey of Kilkenny, undertaken in 1997 to identify woodlands in the county and A survey of broadleaved woodlands in three special Areas of Conservation, Barrow-Nore, River Unshin and Lough Forbes (2000) which covers some of County Kilkenny, and National Survey of Native Woodlands (NSNW) 2003–2008 which was one of the largest ecological surveys to be completed in Ireland and did its fieldwork in the county in 2003.()
Estimates of the woodlands in County Kilkenny include the Forest Inventory Planning System (1998) which estimated Kilkenny had 2251 ha of mixed woodland and broadleaf woodland not dominated by beech, representing 1.09% of the county and the National Forest Inventory 2004 and 2006 which estimated that 4430 ha of the county is native forested land, Scots pine was regarded as non-native, representing 2.15% of the county.
The best quality sites in the county in terms of their conservation value include Kylecorragh Wood (SAC) along the River Nore,River Barrow and River Nore (SAC) (IE0002162). Site Synopsis – National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. Natura 2000 (data set ) – European Environment Agency. Grenan Wood (SAC), Knockadrina, Garryricken North (NHA/SNR), Ballytobin/Ballaghtobin, Brownstown Wood (NHA/SAC), Kyleadohir Wood (NHA/SNR), Brown's Wood, Thomastown, Ballykeeffe Wood, Cullentragh, Rossenarra, Newrath and Garryricken South. The most threatened forested area in the county is Greatwood.
The main governmental organisations responsible for ensuring the development of forestry within Kilkenny are the National Parks and Wildlife Service (under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) and the Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine). There are legislative measures which recognise the importance of trees woodlands and hedgerows and provide for their protection including the Forestry Act 1946 and Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. These prohibit trees from being cut down unless a notice of intention is given and prohibit the cutting of hedges within the bird nesting period. The main threats come mainly from invasive species, heavy grazing and damaging activities such as non-native planting, native felling and dumping. There are instances of felling (both legal and illegal) of ash trees for the production of hurleys.
There are around 180 significant trees in County Kilkenny included in the Tree Register of Ireland,Register of Ireland compiled by the Tree Council of Ireland,. Treecouncil.ie. Retrieved on 2010-10-08. based on characteristics such as age, height, diameter, historical or folklore connections. The tallest tree in Kilkenny is a silver fir of 5.39 x 43m located at Woodstock Gardens in Inistioge and the tree with the largest girth is a common lime of 9.01 x 27m located at Coolmore House in Thomastown. At present, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, there are 4 Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) in County Kilkenny for the protection of trees, groups of trees and woods of amenity value. These include Oldcourt in Inistioge, Keatingstown, Barna in Freshford, Sawney's Wood in Castlecomer and the Castle Gardens in Kilkenny City.
Important trees in county Kilkenny include two cedars of Lebanon at Kildalton Agricultural College in Piltown, a Monterey cypress, beech, silver fir and two coastal redwood at Woodstock Gardens in Inistioge. In Thomastown there is a common lime at Coolmore House, an English/common oak at Stoneen Kilfawe, an English/common oak at Mount Juilliet Estate and a Wellingtonia, giant sequoia, Monterey cypress, sweet/Spanish chestnut and a holm oak/evergreen oak at Kilfane Glebe. There is also a Turkey oak at Threecastles House in Kilkenny, an ash and two English/common oak at Ballytobin House in Callan, a common lime, Wellingtonia giant sequoia and two Monterey cypress at Shankill Castle in Paulstown, an English/common oak at Ballykeefe House in Kilmanagh, an English/common oak at Fanningstown House in Owning and a beech at Castlecomer Golf Club in Castlecomer.Top 25 trees in county Kilkenny – Tree Council of Ireland
Climate
The climate of County Kilkenny, like the climate of Ireland, is a changeable oceanic climate with few extremes. It is defined as a temperate oceanic climate, or Cfb on the Köppen climate classification system. Kilkenny lies in plant Hardiness zone