Founded in 1849, the Kilkenny Archaeological Society pioneered the preservation of Ireland's ancient monuments. It was so effective that a decade later it had become a national organisation. In 1890 it was designated the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland and eventually moved to Dublin. The next, the present-day Kilkenny Archaeological Society, was founded in 1945 by a group which included essayist Hubert Butler. Its purchase and the reconstruction of Rothe House in 1966 proved a landmark in the highlighting of heritage awareness.
Irish Historic Towns Atlas no. 10, by John Bradley (Royal Irish Academy, £20)
Discover Kilkenny, by John Bradley (O'Brien Press, £9.99)
Must visit
1. Kilkenny Castle.
2. Rothe House.
3. Track the remains of the City Wall, including Talbot's Bastion.
4. St Canice's.
5. St John's Abbey - one of the most beautiful sights in Kilkenny.
6. St Mary's Church and churchyard.
7. St Patrick's graveyard, off lower Patrick Street. No trace remains of the medieval church, only a series of 13th- and 14th-century grave slabs, as well as later medieval tombstones.
8. The Courthouse.
9. The Dominican Friary or Black Abbey.
10. Walk the Butter Slip, a narrow stone passage flanked on either side by early 17th-century buildings where women used to sell butter.
Saddest sight
Neglected state of "Talbot's Bastion", the southwestern, and solesurviving, tower of the medieval town wall built during the 13th century and currently strewn with random litter.
Biggest regret
Sign on St John's Bridge warning all comers against the waters and fish of the Nore. "This river is polluted," it advises.
Double achievement
Must-read texts
Irish Historic Towns Atlas no. 10, by John Bradley (Royal Irish Academy, £20)
Discover Kilkenny, by John Bradley (O'Brien Press, £9.99)