Kilkenny College

Kilkenny College of the 1700s

Engraving of Kilkenny College during the Eighteenth Century

Kilkenny College of the 1700s

Kilkenny College of the 1700s

Engraving of Kilkenny College during the Eighteenth Century

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Kilkenny College of the 1980s

Photograph of Kilkenny College during the 1980's before conversion to Kilkenny County Council Headquarters

Kilkenny College of the 1980s

Kilkenny College of the 1980s

Photograph of Kilkenny College during the 1980's before conversion to Kilkenny County Council Headquarters

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Kilkenny College was established in 1667 by James, 1st Duke of Ormonde to replace an earlier grammar school established prior to 1539, adjacent to St. Canice's Cathedral by Piers Butler. It was established besides the river Nore in 1684.

In 1690 for several months it served as a University of St. Canice under James II. Then in 1782, the present building was completed, a seven bay Georgian building, eight bays deep.

The large ornate Georgian entrance door is particularly notable. The building continued as an educational establishment until 1985, when it was purchased by Kilkenny County Council.  It now serves as the Council's headquarters.

Besides Berkeley, other famous pupils of the College include:

Jonathan Swift (1167 - 1745),
Richard Stanihurst (1547 - 1618), historian,
William Congreve (1670 - 1729), dramatist,
George Farquahar (1678 - 1707), dramatist
and Admiral, Earl Beatty (1871 - 1936), dramatist.