VIDEOS
Selection of videos that look at the history of Kilkenny
The History of Kilkenny Castle
Taken from a TV3 Documentary that looked into the History of Ireland and it's Castles. In this video, the history of Kilkenny Castle and the events that occurred in Kilkenny are explained and explored. The video travels through time and through the ages from Kilkenny castle's beginning to the castle that we see today.
Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife
Dr Brendan Rooney, curator of Irish art at the National Gallery of Ireland, Niamh MacNally, assistant curator of Prints and Drawings and Andrea Lydon, Head Librarian, discuss the colourful history behind Daniel Maclise's 'The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife'. Strongbow of course built the first Kilkenny Castle.
The History of Rothe House
Rothe House & Garden, a historic house in Kilkenny in the South East of Ireland, is the only example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland. In this video, Kilkenny.com interview Roísín McQuinlan of Rothe House about the house, it's history and the Rothe Family.
The History of Kilkenny
This video explores the history of Kilkenny from it's earliest beginnings. It shows pictures of past and present and gives a clear, concise interpretation of Kilkenny in the 1900s. The video explains the social classes of Kilkenny through time and who had power in the town during those times.
Kilkenny City Walls
Unfortunately, over time much of Kilkenny's walls were destroyed to make way for urban development. Although there is still a considerable amount of the walls still visible today, much of it is inaccessible to the public. This video shows a 3d model representation of the position of the walls and it's towers and what they would have looked like.
Stathams Ford Special
This video depicts the scene in the 1934 in the Phoenix Park Grand prix. The race was won by a Kilkenny built car, The Stathams Ford Special. The Stathams family owned a car garage on Patrick Street in Kilkenny and to have won such a prestigious race is quite the achievement.
History of Kilkenny Hurling - Part 1
Kilkenny is famous for it's unrivalled, unreplicated success in hurling. Everyone fears Kilkenny, no matter how good a team you are, Kilkenny have always been a threat. This documentary delves into the history of the Cats and looks into the successes of times gone by. (Part 1)
History of Kilkenny Hurling - Part 2
Kilkenny is famous for it's unrivalled, unreplicated success in hurling. Everyone fears Kilkenny, no matter how good a team you are, Kilkenny have always been a threat. This documentary delves into the history of the Cats and looks into the successes of times gone by. (Part 2)
History of Kilkenny Hurling - Part 3
Kilkenny is famous for it's unrivalled, unreplicated success in hurling. Everyone fears Kilkenny, no matter how good a team you are, Kilkenny have always been a threat. This documentary delves into the history of the Cats and looks into the successes of times gone by. (Part 3)
The Great Flood of 1947
The worst flood to ever hit Kilkenny. The damage and destruction was huge. The flood was the result of rapid thawing after heavy snowfall. One of the worst fallouts of the floods was the loss of the Talbots Inch Suspension Bridge which was built by Lady Desart for safe crossing by her worker.
Kilkenny Down Memory Lane
A selection of old photos put together into a slideshow. The photos range from many different years throughout Kilkenny's history and showcase buildings of old as they once stood, some of which no longer exist today. The pictures show much of the magnificent architecture of Kilkenny City.
The Parade, 1980
The Parade is Kilkenny's most important place. On it's strip it has Kilkenny Castle, the design centre (formely Kilkenny Castle Stables) and has seen so much history pass up and down it's length. One of those such journeys down the Parade was that by Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, see here.
Medieval Kilkenny - Phase 1
Built by RealSim Ltd. with Kilkenny Archaeology, and funded by The Heritage Council. This initial phase of the project was focused on building a base model of the town based on Rocque's 1758 Map, modeling key buildings and recreating the streetscape of the city as it would have appeared c.1640.P hase 2 will focus on detailing the buildings in the town based on existing models of Kilkenny and a move towards making it similar to the Medieval Galway Model.
Handover of the Castle
On the 25th of October 1967, Kilkenny Castle was presented to members of the Kilkenny Castle Restoration Committee by James Arthur Butler. Watching the video, one may pick out a very famous face, yes, Mick Jagger was in attendance. He just so happened to be in the area and decided to call in for a visit. This is a hugely important event in Kilkenny's history as it marks the moment that Kilkenny Castle came into public hands after kindly been gifted to the people of Kilkenny by the Butlers for a token sum of £50 to make it official.
Kilkenny Hunt 1930
This incredible footage, is the only footage that survives of 'The Famous Kilkenny Hunt'. In the surrounds of the Mount Juliet Estate, the video showcases a classical sport that was well associated with the upper class. Unfortunately, it is unaccompanied by sound, obviously due to the technology in use at the time, but it still acts as an excellent form of documentation of a sport that has not since been held in such admiration.
Lock Up Your Daughters 1969
The film features many recognisable areas of Kilkenny including the Parade, Kieran Street, John Street, Parliament Street and the Canal Walk. As well as featuring many of our local landmarks, the film also featured some local faces. Many locals were auditioned for parts in the film receiving a decent wage for their role if successful. The video above gives a glimpse into Kilkenny at the time, both todays it's buildings and to be it's people. It also showcases the different mindsets of the people back then and how they viewed the world.
Kilkenny v Cork 1926
One of the oldest recorded matchs of a Kilkenny hurling team, this is a valuable account that showcases how the game of hurling has changed over the years. An All-Ireland Final, it would have been one of the biggest spectacles at the time. Unfortunately, the result did not swing in Kilkenny's favour and they lost 4-6 to 2-0 to a very strong and impressive Cork side. Noticeable differences to today would be the speed of the game, the hurls, the safety regulations and of course the big reliance on ground hurling.
Pat Gleesons Pub 1970
This video offers a glimpse into a pub culture that has very much since changed. While there are many occurences and stories that would not be out of place today, the no women stance is certainly different from today, also comically so on reflection. It is an excellent example of how communities were knitted together by pubs and how it offer men a chance to get together to socialise and enjoy themselves. The pub was knocked shortly after the making of this video to make way for a housing scheme.
On The Streets Where You Live PT1
An interesting series ran by RTE featured many great streets from around Ireland, telling their histories and what changes have occured in recent times. This episode features Kilkenny's High Street. It offers first hand accounts of the street as it once was, offering contrast as to how it has changed today. The episode is of particular interest for showing some of the bigger events that have occured on High Street in the last few decades and for showcasing what street life was like at the time. This is part 1 of the Kilkenny episode.
On The Streets Where You Live PT2
An interesting series ran by RTE featured many great streets from around Ireland, telling their histories and what changes have occured in recent times. This episode features Kilkenny's High Street. It offers first hand accounts of the street as it once was, offering contrast as to how it has changed today. The episode is of particular interest for showing some of the bigger events that have occured on High Street in the last few decades and for showcasing what street life was like at the time. This is part 2 of the Kilkenny episode.
On The Streets Where You Live PT3
An interesting series ran by RTE featured many great streets from around Ireland, telling their histories and what changes have occured in recent times. This episode features Kilkenny's High Street. It offers first hand accounts of the street as it once was, offering contrast as to how it has changed today. The episode is of particular interest for showing some of the bigger events that have occured on High Street in the last few decades and for showcasing what street life was like at the time. This is part 3 of the Kilkenny episode.
Kilkenny Greyhound Track 1996
Shot for Belgium TV, this short documentary on greyhound racing in Kilkenny, was made not made for English speaking countries. Although one cannot understand the narrator, it is possible to hear the voices of the people talking. The video provides an excellent service in showing us exactly how greyhound racing was viewed not so long ago. It also offers us a glimpse at James Park Greyound Track before some of the more recent developments and works took place at the park.
Dance at the Mayfair, October 1951
This video features footage of Threecastles, Kilkenny and then of the Mayfair Ballroom in Kilkenny City. The Mayfair was an important building to Kilkenny as it was the foremost place for meeting and enjoying the company of others. It was a lively ballroom which featured many great bands of the time and lots and lots of dancing. There are certainly many recognisable local figures in the footage and it is quite easy from the footage, to imagine the Mayfair in action once more.
Kilkenny City 1970s
This clip proves a valuable resource in showing how Kilkenny has changed dramatically in the last 40 years. Every shot in this video unintentionally displays areas that have seen serious levels of change today. Many areas and buildings have been destroyed to make way for a better road infrastructure. While it has improved traffic, it has meant that much historic fabric has been lost. As a result, this video proves invaluable in showcasing the ways these areas once were and making sure that they forever remain documented.
Papal Nuncio 1930
In 1930, the Papal Nuncio came to Kilkenny. The visit was a big deal to the people of Kilkenny and much work was done in advance to decorate the Medieval City and make it a beautiful welcome setting for the visit. While here, he was bestowed with the Freedom of Kilkenny City. Kilkenny was one of many places that he travelled to during his time going around Ireland and it meant a lot for the many Christians of the city and county. Mass was said in his attendance and it was an excellent opportunity for many to meet such a holy man.
The Hole in The Wall
It is housed in the oldest surviving townhouse in Ireland, the 1582 Archer Inner House, 17 High St. Fully restored over the past 10 years the Elizabethan building with its tavern, snug and Archer room are now open to visitors for the first time in hundreds of years. This video tells the history of that famous tavern and how such a peculiar place came to be as it is today. It tells the history of the building, and that of the buildings that once encompassed it and offers great insight into a real treasure in kilkenny.
Kilkenny V Bohemians 2006
Throwback to the days when Kilkenny had a soccer team. While ultimately a bit of a disaster, it was a team that was well respected by the local soccer community. It must be said though that it was doomed from the start, an out of town stadium and low funding both had major implications on the team and eventually it came to an end. Unfortunately, the clip above shows one of many matches that ended in a scoreline of high numbers and not in favour of the Kilkenny side. Maybe one day we'll put together a better team.
High Street 1971
This video which featured on RTE's Nationwide poses the idea of pedestrianising High Street, something that was considered a bold and new concept at the time. The video remains one of real relevance as pedestrianising High Street is still a debate that continues to be had today. As Kilkenny's population has increased over the years, it's narrow street have struggled to keep up with traffic demands and it seems inevitable that High Street wil one day be pedestrianised, or at the very least, made one way.
Kevin's World 1983
A short film made by RTE in Kilkenny City which shows a large portion of the city as it was at that time.