Features of Kilkenny

Fiddown Island is a State owned Nature Reserve established in 1988. This long, narrow island is located along the River Suir. It consists mainly of marsh and woodland, swathed in willow scrub and surrounded by reed swamps. It is the only known site of its type in Ireland.

Located in the small village of Rower between Kilkenny City and Waterford is the wonderful Dahlia Garden. The garden is just half an acre in size, but is host to over 300 varieties of dahlias as well as considerable populations of chrysanthemums and herbaceous plants.

Co. Kilkenny supports a number of endangered and rare flora. Examples include Autumn Crocus (also known as meadow saffron), Bog Orchid, Tufted Salt-marsh Grass, and Killarney Fern with its unusual translucent leaves. Basil Thyme, Betony and the critically endangered Red Hemp Nettle are among further vulnerable species found in Kilkenny.

Inistioge Bridge

A view of Inistioge Bridge, Co. Kilkenny

(c) Ruth Collier

Inistioge Bridge
(c) Ruth Collier

Inistioge Bridge

A view of Inistioge Bridge, Co. Kilkenny

(c) Ruth Collier

Enlarge image

Almost 180 trees in Kilkenny are listed on the Tree Council’s Tree Register of Ireland for reasons of age, height, folklore and history. There are also four Tree Preservation Orders for trees in Co. Kilkenny Sawney’s Wood in Castlecomber, Barna in Freshford and Keatingstown, and at Oldcourt in Inistioge.

Inistioge is a village situated in the Nore valley in south of the county. The River Nore, Inistioge bridge  and the surrounding countryside provide very scenic views in this area. Woodstock House and Gardens are located about a mile outside Inistioge village.