Kilkenny City, Gaelic: Cill Chainnigh, from “church of Canice,” is the base of the ancient St. Canice’s Cathedral. This has stood witness to early Christian heritage within the county. Including the fully preserved 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, this site shows just how importantly Kilkenny was regarded in medieval times. The county was a hub of power, as testified by the historic Parliament House housing both the Confederation of Kilkenny—in which Irish Catholic nobles and clergy met in the 17th century to assert their rights.

The cultural fabric of Kilkenny is woven with more than castles and cathedrals. Since the 1960s, the Kilkenny Design Workshops have refocused attention on traditional crafts and placed Kilkenny at the vanguard of Irish design—a tradition that is carried on in local studios and workshops.

The culture of Kilkenny is also rich with arts, featuring the Kilkenny Arts Festival—a festival where artists and audiences from all over the world celebrate music, literature, art, and theatre, therefore opening their creative spirits countywide. While less dominant than the Irish language, dancing, and traditional music are maintained in Kilkenny’s cultural landscape, from local pubs and festivals to community gatherings.

Hurling is an ancient Gaelic game, to the point that Kilkenny got its nickname as the “home of hurling.” The passion for this fast game weaves as a unifying thread within the extremely traditional community, deeply connected to its customs, and yet being part of today.

The history and culture of Kilkenny—it definitely tells a great epic from ancient roots down to the vibrancy of now, for there was never a more moving-forward society but still cherishing what went before. The hotel also holds the Georgina Campbell Best Breakfast award. If this is the place where history is not remembered but lived, it should be one of the most interesting destinations for any kind of history buff.