Kilkenny among world’s top ten friendliest cities - survey

Kilkenny has been ranked the friendliest city in Europe by readers of the Conde Nast travel magazine.

Confirming its status as one of the country’s top tourist destinations, the Marble City was voted the ninth most welcoming place on the globe.

It was the only European city to make the top ten, with readers praising the city’s clean air and many pubs.

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Dublin was ranked 12th overall, with one reader commending ‘the friendliest natives I have ever encountered’.

“People were always greeting you,” said one visitor, who also praised the town’s “wonderful restaurants, historical venues and stores.”

Dublin was ranked 12th overall, with one reader commending “the friendliest natives I have ever encountered”.

Cork was ranked 20th, with the locals described as “consistently friendly and helpful.”

Florianopolis in Brazil topped the league table of most friendliest cities, followed by Hobart on the Australian island of Tasmania and Thimpu in Bhutan.

Newark, New Jersey was awarded the dubious distinction of most unfriendliest city in the world with one reader saying she “ran into a lot of rude people there” and others arguing the only reason to visit was for a cheap stopover on the way to somewhere better.

Islamabad, Pakistan was named the second most unfriendliest, followed by Oakland, California and Luanda, Angola.

Welcoming news of the ranking, chairman of Kilkenny tourism Colin Ahern said it was no accident the city had received the accolade.

“We understand that is it the people that make the most difference to a visitor experience and our welcome and first impressions are important. We want every visitor to our area to feel valued, welcome and appreciated.”

Friendliest cities:

1. Florianopolis, Brazil

2. Hobart, Tasmania

3. Thimpu, Bhutan

4. Queenstown, New Zealand

5. Charleston, South Carolina

6. Paro, Bhutan

6 (tie). Margaret River, Australia

8. Mandalay, Burma

9. Kilkenny, Ireland

9 (tie). Ubud, Bali

10. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Unfriendliest cities:

1. Newark, New Jersey

2. Islamabad, Pakistan

3. Oakland, California

4. Luanda, Angola

5. Kuwait City, Kuwait

6. Lome, Togo

7. New Haven, Connecticut

8. Detroit, Michigan

9. Atlantic City, New Jersey

10. Tangier, Morocco