The 4th Kilkenny Tradfest returns from the 16th to 20th March 2016. The festival showcases the best of Irish traditional music, in a variety of unique venues across Kilkenny city. Held across St.Patrick’s Day weekend, the festival is accessible to everyone, with both free and ticketed events.
Kíla (ABOVE) are bringing their hip-shaking, smile-making, funky, groovy brand of trad to Kilkenny Tradfest on St. Patrick’s Day for an outdoor concert in the magical grounds of Kilkenny’s Castle Park.
Visit Kilkenny for five days of world-class acts, including; music from Hothouse Flowers, Damien Dempsey, Duke Special, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Steve Cooney and many more fantastic traditional Irish musicians and bands. There are events for all ages, with the TradTrail, music & dance workshops, family activities and more.
Don’t miss St.Patrick’s Day for the fantastic annual Parade, taking place within the heart of our Medieval City!
Damien Dempsey plays the Set Theatre Sun 20th
Hothouse Flowers play Billy Byrnes Sun 20th
Uí Bhriaín Ceili Band at The Kilford Arms, Saturday 19th March
In 1922, the Butler family - namely Lord and Lady Ossory - were residents of the castle. The Irish Civil war, raged around them. Lord Ossory memorably wrote that he was woken at the "unreasonable hour of 5.30am" by his butler, who brought the news that Republican forces had seized and occupied his castle.
In 1650 invading Cromwellian forces mounted an attack on Kilkenny castle and although it was initially successfully defended they eventually managed to take control of the city by another route.
The last witch in Ireland, reputedly Dame Alice Kyteler, was born in Kilkenny in 1280. Widowed four times, she was accused of poisoning all of her husbands. Although her former home was burned down, you can now dine at Kyteler’s Inn on the site of the house
Kilkenny's most one sided All-Ireland finals win was in 2008 when they beat Waterford by 23 points with a scoreline of Kilkenny 3-30 to 1-13 Waterford
Kilkenny have only met neighbours Carlow once in the hurling championship. That was in 1993 when Kilkenny won 5-19 to 16 points. Kilkenny have met Lancashire more times – twice(1905, 1913) .
Kilkenny, an inland county, is bordered by counties Wexford, Carlow, Laois, Waterford, and Tipperary. Geologically speaking it is mostly limestone, with areas of black marble around Kilkenny city. The rivers Nore, Suir, and Barrow flow through it.
Kilkenny’s visitor experiences and attractions must be allowed re-open their doors under Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions to access the lifeline of a summer domestic tourism season.
A new festival in May will celebrate Johnstown’s 250th anniversary.
Funding’s been approved for a festival in the North KIlkenny town on the 24th of May.
Yulefest Kilkenny Christmas festival returns to celebrate its fourth year and in 2019 is offering a bumper six week festival running from 22nd November 2019 to 6th January 2020.