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History of County Kilkenny, Ireland
Journey back in time to County Kilkenny, Ireland
Explore County Kilkenny, Ireland! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have County Kilkenny Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

County Kilkenny (Irish: Contae Chill Chainnigh) 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 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 50 km (31 mi) from Waterford, 124 km (77 mi) from Dublin and 150 km (93 mi) from Cork. wikipedia
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Discover County Kilkenny: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1826 - County Kilkenny
"Kilkenny, a county of Ireland, province of Leinster, 40 m. long and 20 broad; bounded E by Catherlough and Wexford; W by Tipperary, N by Queen's county, and S by Waterford, containing 510,000 acres, divided into 127 parishes. The soil is generally of a good quality, with little bog land. In the N are excellent quarries for flags; coal is produced in great abundance; in the limestone district are valuable marble quarries; and manganese, iron ore, lead ore, and some indication of copper ore, are perceived in different parts. Chief rivers, the Suire, Barrow, and Nore. It sends 2 members to parliament. Pop. 157,096."
The New London Gazetteer, 1826
"Kilkenny, a county of Ireland, province of Leinster, 40 m. long and 20 broad; bounded E by Catherlough and Wexford; W by Tipperary, N by Queen's county, and S by Waterford, containing 510,000 acres, divided into 127 parishes. The soil is generally of a good quality, with little bog land. In the N are excellent quarries for flags; coal is produced in great abundance; in the limestone district are valuable marble quarries; and manganese, iron ore, lead ore, and some indication of copper ore, are perceived in different parts. Chief rivers, the Suire, Barrow, and Nore. It sends 2 members to parliament. Pop. 157,096."
The New London Gazetteer, 1826
1895 - County Kilkenny
Kilkenny , a county of Ireland , having S. and S.W. Waterford , and W. Tipperary . Area , 796 square miles . The surface is slightly undulating ; several summits , how- ever , rise to upwards of 1000 feet in elevation . The chief rivers are the Nore , Barrow , and Suir . The soils are for the most part light , fertile loams , resting on limestone , gravel , & c . , and presenting much less bog than most parts of Ireland . The usual corn crops form the chief object of the farmer , but dairy- and sheep - farms are also numerous . Anthracite coal abounds ; fine black marble is also found . The manufactures of woollens and linens , which long flour- ished here , have now materially declined . The principal export is grain . Two crossing lines of railway intersect this county , and navigable rivers and the Grand Canal furnish facilities for transport to all parts of Ireland . It sends three members to the House of Commons . Pop . in 1881 , 99,531 ; in 1891 , 87,154 .
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Kilkenny , a county of Ireland , having S. and S.W. Waterford , and W. Tipperary . Area , 796 square miles . The surface is slightly undulating ; several summits , how- ever , rise to upwards of 1000 feet in elevation . The chief rivers are the Nore , Barrow , and Suir . The soils are for the most part light , fertile loams , resting on limestone , gravel , & c . , and presenting much less bog than most parts of Ireland . The usual corn crops form the chief object of the farmer , but dairy- and sheep - farms are also numerous . Anthracite coal abounds ; fine black marble is also found . The manufactures of woollens and linens , which long flour- ished here , have now materially declined . The principal export is grain . Two crossing lines of railway intersect this county , and navigable rivers and the Grand Canal furnish facilities for transport to all parts of Ireland . It sends three members to the House of Commons . Pop . in 1881 , 99,531 ; in 1891 , 87,154 .
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Discover YOUR Roots: County Kilkenny Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in County Kilkenny, Ireland
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