- Turlough O’Carolan (Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin): Harpist, composer, singer (traditional Irish) from Kilronan, County Roscommon, but spent significant time in Kilkenny (patronage by families like the Butlers). Born 1670 Died March 25, 1738. A blind harper and one of Ireland’s greatest composers, O’Carolan’s works like “Carolan’s Farewell to Music” blend Gaelic and continental styles. He traveled widely, including to Kilkenny, where he composed for patrons. His melodies remain central to Irish traditional music.
- R.S.A.G. (Jeremy Hickey): Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (alternative, electronic) from Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny. Known as Rarely Seen Above Ground, Hickey is a one-man band whose album Chroma (2020) marked a critically acclaimed comeback. His live AV shows and eclectic sound make him a standout in Kilkenny’s modern music scene.
- John McCormack: Tenor (classical, opera, Irish ballads) from Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny (spent significant time there in later life). Born June 14, 1884 Died September 16, 1945. World-famous for his diction and breath control, McCormack sang 64 notes in one breath in a Mozart aria. He recorded hundreds of songs, including Irish ballads like “The Star of the County Down,” and was named a Papal Count in 1928.
- Eugene O’Dunne: Traditional musician (fiddle) from Tullaroan, County Kilkenny. Born 1875 Died 1959. A noted fiddler in Kilkenny’s traditional music scene, O’Dunne’s playing was recorded by the Irish Folklore Commission, preserving the county’s musical heritage. He influenced local musicians and performed at regional gatherings.
- Jimmy O’Brien-Moran: Traditional musician (uilleann pipes, whistle) from Waterford, but lived in Thomastown, County Kilkenny. Died 2014. A master piper, O’Brien-Moran was a key figure in Kilkenny’s traditional music, teaching and performing with groups like Na Píobairí Uilleann. His work helped revive uilleann piping in the region.
- Brian Dillon: Traditional musician (accordion) from Callan, County Kilkenny. Born 1940s. Dillon is a respected accordion player in Kilkenny’s traditional music community, known for his performances at local sessions and festivals, contributing to the county’s céilí tradition.
- Mick Dowling: Traditional singer from Inistioge, County Kilkenny. Born 1930s .Died 2000s. Dowling was a beloved sean-nós and ballad singer, performing at Kilkenny’s folk clubs and festivals. His repertoire included local songs, preserving the county’s oral tradition.
- Kerbdog (Cormac Battle, Colin Fennelly, Billy Dalton, Darragh Butler): Rock band, musicians, songwriters from Formed in Kilkenny City, County Kilkenny
- A post-grunge band, Kerbdog released albums like On the Turn (1996), gaining a cult following. Praised for their raw energy, they are Kilkenny’s contribution to Ireland’s 1990s rock scene.
- Tommy Comerford: Traditional musician (fiddle) from Kilmacow, County Kilkenny. Born 1950s. Comerford is a fiddler in Kilkenny’s traditional music scene, known for his performances with local céilí bands and contributions to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
- Siobhán Ní Chonaráin: Traditional singer, harpist from Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny. Born 1960s. A sean-nós singer and harpist, Ní Chonaráin performs in Irish and English, drawing on Kilkenny’s Gaelic heritage. She has competed at the All-Ireland Fleadh and teaches music locally.
Musicians
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Kilkenny:
Ireland’s county Kilkenny is a county of medieval charm, with Kilkenny City’s castle and St Canice’s Cathedral showcasing well-preserved architecture and round towers. The Dunmore Cave offers intriguing limestone formations, while the Nore Valley’s walking trails provide scenic beauty. Other attractions include the historic Jerpoint Abbey’s intricate carvings. Kilkenny is Ireland’s 16th largest county by size (2,062 square km) and 21st largest by population (104,160). Population peaked at 202,420 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 60,463 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Kilkenny is Ireland’s eleventh most visited tourist county with around 207,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
