- Saint Canice (Cainnech): October 11, c. 515–600: Kilkenny City (St. Canice’s Cathedral), ThomastownPatron saint of Kilkenny, Canice, one of the “Twelve Apostles of Ireland,” founded a monastery at Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh, “Church of Canice”) and Aghaboe, Laois. Born in Derry, he studied at Clonard and worked with St. Columba in Scotland. His Life records miracles like calming storms. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and St. Canice’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland) and holy well are pilgrimage sites.
- Saint Kieran (Ciarán) of Ossory: March 5, c. 5th century: FreshfordKieran, a pre-Patrician saint, is patron of the Diocese of Ossory. Born in Cape Clear, Cork, he founded a monastery at Saighir (Seir Kieran), Offaly, but is linked to Freshford through a church at Fertagh. Known as the “first-born of Ireland’s saints,” his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Freshford parish’s St. Kieran’s Church and holy well honor him.
- Saint Fiacre: August 30, c. 7th century: Johnstown (historically linked)Fiacre, born in Kilkenny, founded a monastery in France at Meaux, where he became patron of gardeners. Tradition links him to Johnstown through early missionary work. Known for his hospitality and healing, his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Johnstown parish’s early Christian sites reflect his influence, tying Kilkenny to European monasticism.
- Saint Nem (Mema): June 14, c. 6th century: InistiogeNem, an obscure saint, founded a church at Inistioge, where he is patron. His feast is in the Martyrology of Oengus, and he is venerated for his ascetic life. Inistioge parish’s St. Mary’s Church and nearby holy well preserve his legacy, reflecting Kilkenny’s tradition of local saints tied to monastic foundations.
- Saint Moling: June 17, c. 614–697: Mullinakill (historically linked)Moling, primarily associated with St. Mullins, Carlow, is linked to Kilkenny through missionary work in Mullinakill. Known for abolishing the Borumha cattle tribute and the Book of Mulling, his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Mullinakill’s early Christian sites reflect his influence, connecting Kilkenny to Leinster’s monastic network.
- Saint Rioch: August 1, c. 5th century: Kilree (Kells)Rioch, a nephew of St. Patrick, founded a monastery at Kilree, near Kells. Known for his missionary zeal, his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Kilree’s round tower and high cross are pilgrimage sites, and Kells parish honors him, reflecting Kilkenny’s early Christian ties to Patrick’s mission.
- Saint Cillian (Kilian): July 8, c. 640–689: Thomastown (historically linked)Cillian, born in Kilkenny, became a missionary in Germany, where he was martyred at Würzburg. He evangelized Franconia with companions Colman and Totnan. Canonized, his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Thomastown parish’s early sites reflect his origins, tying Kilkenny to Europe’s missionary saints.
- Saint Scuithin: January 2, c. 6th century: CastlewarrenScuithin, a hermit, founded a church at Castlewarren, where he is patron. Tradition holds he studied in Wales with St. David and advised St. Brigid. His feast is in the Martyrology of Oengus, and Castlewarren parish’s holy well preserves his legacy, reflecting Kilkenny’s eremitical tradition.
- Saint Laserian (Molaise): April 18, c. 6th–7th century: Leighlinbridge (historically linked to Ossory)Laserian, primarily associated with Leighlin, Carlow, is linked to Kilkenny through his role as a bishop in the Diocese of Ossory. He advocated for the Roman Easter at the Synod of Mag Lene (630). His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Leighlinbridge’s influence extends to Kilkenny parishes like Gowran.
- Saint Gobban: March 23, c. 6th century: CallanGobban, an obscure saint, is linked to Callan, where he may have founded a church before moving to Leighlin, Carlow. His feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal, and Callan parish’s early Christian sites reflect his role, underscoring Kilkenny’s network of monastic founders.
- Saint Cainnech of Aghaboe: October 11, c. 515–600: St. Canice’sCanice, also listed above, has a second significant association with St. Canice’s Parish in the city of Kilkenny. His missionary work extended across Ireland and Scotland, and his influence in Kilkenny is further evidenced by the parish named in his honor. His feast is celebrated widely, and St. Canice’s Catholic Church serves as a focal point for his veneration.
- Saint Fintan Munnu: October 21, c. 6th–7th century: Jerpoint (Thomastown)Fintan Munnu, a disciple of St. Columba, founded a monastery at Taghmon, Wexford, but is linked to Jerpoint through missionary work. Known for his asceticism, his feast is in the Martyrology of Donegal. Jerpoint’s Cistercian abbey, though later, reflects Kilkenny’s monastic heritage tied to Fintan’s influence.
Saints
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
Sacred Places
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
Holy Wells
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.
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