View source for User:Mrchris/Geography of County Kilkenny

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<onlyinclude>
'''[[User:Mrchris/Geography|Geography]] of  [[User:Mrchris/Geography of County Kilkenny|County Kilkenny]]''' includes [[User:Mrchris/Climate of County Kilkenny|Climate]], [[User:Mrchris/Mountains and hills of County Kilkenny|Mountains and hills]] , [[User:Mrchris/Rivers of County Kilkenny|Rivers]], [[User:Mrchris/Towns and villages in County Kilkenny|Towns and villages]] and [[User:Mrchris/Townlands of County Kilkenny|townlands]].
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{{seealso|Geography of Ireland}}
[[Image:BrandonHill116.jpg|thumb|left|[[Brandon Hill]]]]
The '''Geography of County Kilkenny''' describes the county of Kilkenny which is located in the south-west of [[Leinster]], in [[Ireland]]. The main [[Geography|geographical]] features of County Kilkenny include a mostly hilly surface of moderate elevation with uplands in the North-East, the North-West and the South of the county; the middle being comparably lower.<ref ="Hughes1863">({{Harvnb|Hughes|1863|p=623}})
{{Citation
| last = Hughes
| first = William 
| author-link = 
| title = The geography of British history
| place = London
| publisher = Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, & Green.
| year = 1863
| volume = 
| edition = 
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NW0DAAAAQAAJ
| doi = 
| id = 
| isbn = }}
</ref> 

The county is located at {{coord|52|35|N|7|15|W |display=inline,title |region:IE_type:adm1st_source:GNS-enwiki}} and has an area of {{convert|509431|acre|km2 sqmi|lk=on}} which contains a population of 87,558. The county extends from 52 degrees 14 minutes to 52 degrees 52 minutes north latitude, and from 6 degrees 56 minutes to 7 degrees 37 minutes west longitude. The highest peak is [[Brandon Hill]] ({{irish place name|Cnoc Bhréanail|}}) which is {{convert|515|m|ft|abbr=off}} above [[sea level]]. The north-south length of the county  is {{convert|36|mi|km|abbr=off}}; and its greatest breadth from east to west, is about {{convert|19|mi|km|abbr=off}} and its narrowest part is about {{convert|12|mi|km|abbr=off}} from where it widens irregularly towards the north.

Kilkenny extends southward from [[Laois]] to the valley of the Suir and eastward from the [[Munster]]-[[Leinster]] border to the the [[River Barrow]]. The [[River Nore]] bisects the county and the [[River Barrow]] and [[River Suir]] are natural boundaries to the east and south of the county.  

=== Rivers ===
{{seealso|Rivers of Ireland|List of rivers in Ireland}}
The main '''rivers in County Kilkenny''', called the [[The Three Sisters (Ireland)|Three Sisters]],  are the [[River Nore|Nore]], [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[River Suir|Suir]].<ref ="Hughes1863">({{Harvnb|Hughes|1863|p=623}})</ref> The [[River Nore]] bisects the county and flows through [[Ballyragget]], [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] and the villages of [[Bennettsbridge]], [[Thomastown]] and [[Inistioge]]. The [[River Suir]] forms the border between [[County Waterford]] and County Kilkenny. [[River Barrow]] forms a boundary to the east of the county. 

Although County Kilkenny lies inland it has access to the sea via Belview Port, [[Port of Waterford]], on the [[Suir|Suir Estuary]] and via [[New Ross]] on the [[River Barrow]]. On the River Barrow, from the villages of [[Goresbridge]] and [[Graiguenamanagh]], there is a  navigable river with traditional barges to the [[River Shannon]] or to [[Dublin Bay]]. Kilkenny's river network helps drain the land giving the county a highly fertile lower central plain.

Kings River and the Dinan are used of canoeing and kayaking as they contain stretches of peaceful waterways and a number of weirs and rapids. The wide and meandering Rivers Nore and Barrow are used for angling, boating and water sports.

=== Mountains and hills ===
[[File:BrandonHill91.jpg|thumb|right|[[Brandon Hill]]]]
{{seealso|List of mountains in Ireland}}
County Kilkenny is comparably low compared to other [[Geography_of_Ireland#Mountain_ranges|mountain ranges in Ireland]] with the highest peak being [[Brandon Hill]] ({{irish place name|Cnoc Bhréanail|}}), at {{convert|515|m|ft|abbr=off}} above [[sea level]]. The majority of rest of the county is hilly except for the centre of the County, just south of the city of [[Kilkenny]], which is comparably lower than the rest of the county. There are highlands in the North-East, the North-West and in the South of the county.

In the north of the county the uplands of the [[Castlecomer]] district, the [[Castlecomer Plateau]] includes  the [[Culla Hills]] to the west of the [[River Nore|Nore]] Valley with [[Castlecomer Hills]] and [[Slieve Marcy]] to the east. These hills are divided by the valley of the [[Dinan]] river which joins the [[River Nore|Nore]] from the east. The highest point of the Castlecomer Hills is {{convert|313|m|ft|abbr=off}}, and located North-West of the town of Castlecomer and near the border with [[Laois]]. The highest point of the [[Culla Hills]] is in [[Laois]] at {{convert|279|m|ft|abbr=off}}, but its undulating slopes spread over a considerable area of Kilkenny in the north-westerly area.

In the west of the county the [[Slieveardagh Hills]] and [[Booley Hills]] extend westwards to County Tipperary. The highest point in the Slieveardagh Hills is ''Knocknamuck '' at {{convert|340|m|ft|abbr=off}}. The [[Booley Montains]] partly divide from [[Tory Hill]] to the valley of the [[Kilmacow River]] which flows into the [[Suir]].

In the south of the county is [[Brandon Hill]], at {{convert|515|m|ft|abbr=off}} and is near the [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[Graiguenamanagh]]. The area enclosed between the rivers [[River Nore|Nore]] and [[River Barrow|Barrow]] towards their point of joining is elevated. Along the west of the [[River Barrow|Barrow]] and [[River Nore|Nore]] is mostly covered by hills of nearly equal elevation except along the left bank of the river Suir. Here there is a rich area of land between the river and the hills.

=== Geology ===
The '''geology of Kilkenny''' includes the [[Kiltorcan Formation]] which is early [[Carboniferous]] in age.<ref>{{Harvnb|Clayton|1977|p=25}}</ref> The Formation is located around Kiltoncan Hill near [[Ballyhale]] in the [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]] and [[Knocktopher]] areas. It forms the uppermost part of the Old Red Sandstone and is the distinctive [[Upper Devonian]]-[[Lower Carboniferous]] unit in southern Ireland.<ref>{{citation
|last=Jarvis
|first=D.E.
|author=Dr Ed Jarvis
|authorlink=http://www.ucc.ie/en/geology/Staff/AcademicStaff/DrEdJarvis/
|editor=Edited by P. F. Friend (University of Cambridge, UK) & B. P. J. Williams, (University of Aberdeen, UK).
|title=New perspectives on the old red sandstone
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ONL3KxKS5x0C
|format=pdf
|accessdate=31 July 2009
|origyear=1998
|series=GSL Special Publications
|year=2000 
|publisher=Geological Society of London (GSL)
|location=London
|isbn=978-1-86239-071-3
|page=333
|pages=400
|chapter=Palaeoenvironment of the plant bearing horizons of the Devonian-Carboniferous Kiltorcan Formation, Kiltorcan Hill, Co. Kilkenny,Ireland
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ONL3KxKS5x0C&dq=Kiltorcan+Formation+Kilkenny&pg=PA333
}}
</ref> It contains non-red [[lithologies]], green [[mudstones]], siltstones, fine [[sandstones]] and yellow sandstones. There is a [[fossil]] assemblage containing [[Cyclostigma]]  and [[Archaeopteris]] and [[Archaeopteris|Archaeopteris hibernica]]<ref>Beck 1981</ref>

Most of the county is principally limestone of the upper and lower group, corresponding with the rest of ireland. A large area in the north and east contains beds of coal, surrounde by limstone strata, alternated with shale, argilaceous ironstone, and standstone. This occurs eastward of the [[River Nore|Nore]] around [[Castlecomer]], along the border with Laois. It is generally accompanied by [[culm]], which was used extensively for buring lime.

=== Climate ===
{{seealso|Climate of Ireland}}
{{climate chart|County Kilkenny
|1.4|7.7|86
|1.6|7.9|66
|2.3|10.0|63
|3.4|12.4|51
|5.6|15.1|62
|8.4|18.1|50
|10.4|19.9|52
|9.9|19.6|69
|7.9|17.2|74
|6.1|13.9|85
|2.8 |10.1|74
|2.1|8.4|89
|source=[http://www.met.ie/climate/kilkenny.asp MET ÉIREANN]
|float=right
|clear=both
}}

Weather data was recorded by [[Met Éireann]] at a [[Kilkenny Weather Station]] from its establishment in 1957 until 2008, weather for the area is now recorded at Carlow Weather Station. Weatherwise County Kilkenny is the centre of the area known as the 'Sunny South East' nationally. Kilkenny has extremes of temperature due to its continental type climate but also because it is least affected by the sea. It is generally representative of wide river valleys in the region with low temperatures on cloudless nights. Overall, the county has a mild, but changeable, [[Oceanic climate]] with few extremes. Kilkenny is significant in that it records some of the highest summer and lowest winter temperatures in Ireland.

The highest air temperature ever recorded in Ireland, {{convert|33.3|°C|°F}}, was at [[Kilkenny Castle]] on 26 June 1887. The maximum daily rainfall recorded at Kilkenny station was {{convert|66.4|mm|in}} on 17 July 1983. The highest wind gust, 77&nbsp;knots (from a South-west direction, i.e. 200 degrees), was recorded on 12 January 1974. The maximum daily sunshine was 16.3&nbsp;hours on 18&nbsp;June 1978. The warmest and sunniest month on record at Kilkenny was August 1995 with a total of 274.9&nbsp;hours sunshine and very high temperatures throughout. The maximum temperature recorded was {{convert|30.8|°C|°F}} on 2 August 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/about/weatherobservingstations/kilkenny.asp|title=Met.ie - Kilkenny}}</ref><ref>[http://www.met.ie/climate/temperature.asp Website of Met Éireann - Temperature in Ireland] www.met.ie</ref> Extremes recorded at the Kilkenny Met Station include the Highest Air Temperature of {{convert|31.5|°C|°F}} on 29 June 1976, the lowest air temperature of {{convert|-14.1|°C|°F}} on 2 January 1979 and the lowest ground temperature of {{convert|-18.1|°C|°F}} on 12 January 1982. Kilkenny experiences an average of 4 days per year with snow lying, 9 days per year with hail, and 5 days per year with thunderstorms.

=== Environment ===
The Environment of County Kilkenny contains a great variety of natural heritage, including rivers and woodlands, hedgerows, mammals, birds, plants, and diverse landscapes and geological features. 

The main land use is grassland, dairy farming and tillage farming especially around Kilkenny City and in the fertile central plain of the Nore Valley. Conifer forests are found on the upland areas.

==== Protected areas ====
Habitats of international and national importance, are designated under [[European Union]] and national legislation. The four categories of designated site in effect in County Kilkenny are [[Special Areas of Conservation]], Natural Heritage Areas, Statutory Nature Reserves and Wildfowl Sanctuarys. At present there are 36 designated natural heritage sites of international and national importance in County Kilkenny, covering approximately 4.5% of the county.<ref>[http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/resources/eng/Services/Planning/Draft%20Development%20Plans/County/DraftCountyDevelopmentPlan2008-2014/Ch8_Heritage.pdf Chapter 8 - Heritage], Draft [[County Kilkenny Development Plan]] 2008-2014 - [[Kilkenny County Council]]</ref>

[[Special Areas of Conservation]] have been, and are being designated, under the European Union [[Habitats Directive]] to conserve habitats and species of European importance. In County Kilkenny<ref>[http://www.npws.ie/en/ConservationSites/SpecialAreasofConservationSACs/Kilkenny/ Special Areas of Conservation in County Kilkenny] - National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland.</ref> this includes [[Hugginstown Fen]]<ref name=hugginstown>[[Hugginstown Fen SAC]] ([[SAC IE0000404]]). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,3938,en.pdf Site Synopsis] - National Parks and Wildlife Service, Republic of Ireland. [[Natura 2000]] ([http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0000404 data set]) - [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> south-west of [[Ballyhale]], [[The Loughans]]<ref name=loughans>[[The Loughans SAC]] ([[SAC IE0000407]]). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,3939,en.pdf Site Synopsis] - National Parks and Wildlife Service,Republic of Ireland. [[Natura 2000]] ([http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0000407 data set]) - [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> near [[Urlingford]], [[Cullahill Mountain]]<ref name=cullahill>[[Cullahill Mountain SAC]] ([[SAC IE0000831]]). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4037,en.pdf Site Synopsis], [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4688,en.pdf Conservation Plan] and maps ([http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4690,en.pdf 1],[http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4689,en.pdf 2],[http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4691,en.pdf 3]) - National Parks and Wildlife, Republic of Ireland.  [[Natura 2000]] ([http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0000831 data set]) - [[European Environment Agency]]. </ref> on the [[Castlecomer plateau]] near [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], [[Spahill and Clomantagh Hill]]<ref name=spahill>[[Spahill and Clomantagh Hill SAC]] ([[SAC IE0000849]]). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4038,en.pdf Site Synopsis] - National Parks and Wildlife Service,Republic of Ireland.  [[Natura 2000]] ([http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0000849 data set]) - [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> which forms part of an escarpment which links the [[Slieve Ardagh]] Hills with the Castlecomer Plateau, [[Galmoy Fen]]<ref name=galmoy>[[Galmoy Fen SAC]] ([[SAC IE0001858]]). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4114,en.pdf Site Synopsis] - National Parks and Wildlife Service,Republic of Ireland.  [[Natura 2000]] ([http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0001858 data set]) - [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> north of Johnstown, Lower [[River Suir]]<ref name=suir>[[Lower River Suir SAC]] ([[SAC IE0002137]]). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4167,en.pdf Site Synopsis] - National Parks and Wildlife Service,Republic of Ireland.  [[Natura 2000]] ([http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0002137 data set]) - [[European Environment Agency]].</ref> south of Thurles, the freshwater stretches of the [[River Barrow|Barrow]]/[[River Nore]]<ref name=nore>[[River Barrow and River Nore SAC]] ([[SAC IE0002162]]). [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4175,en.pdf Site Synopsis] - National Parks and Wildlife Service,Republic of Ireland.  [[Natura 2000]] ([http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0002162 data set]) - [[European Environment Agency]].</ref>  and [[Thomastown Quarry]]<ref name=thomastown>[[Thomastown Quarry SAC]] ([[SAC IE0002252]]) - [http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4202,en.pdf Site Synopsis] - National Parks and Wildlife Service,Republic of Ireland. [http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites-factsheet.jsp?tab=0&idsite=IE0002252 Natura 2000 data set] - [[European Environment Agency]].</ref>
 
In 2005 [[Coan Bogs]] was defined as a ''Natural Heritage Area'' under section 18 of the Wildlife Act 2000.<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/si/0471.html Natural Heritage Area (COAN BOGS NHA 002382) Order 2005] STATIONERY OFFICE DUBLIN</ref> The [[blanket bog]] consists of two small areas of upland blanket bog located near [[Castlecomer]] in the townlands of Coan East and Smithstown.<ref>[http://www.npws.ie/en/media/Media,4382,en.pdf Coan Bogs NHA Site Synopsis] National Parks and Wildlife Service</ref> Bedrock geology for both areas is shale overlain locally by glacial till and blanket bog vegetation is well developed.<ref>[http://www.npws.ie/en/NHA/002382/ Coan Bogs NHA 002382] National Parks and Wildlife Service</ref>

[[Fiddown Island]] is 62.6 (ha.) state owned ''Nature Reserve'' established in 1988.<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1988/en/si/0234.html S.I. No. 234/1988 — Nature Reserve (Fiddown Island) Establishment Order, 1988.]</ref> Near [[Fiddown]] along the [[River Suir]] it consists of a long narrow island of marsh/woodland covered in willow scrub and bordered by reed swamps - it is the only known site of its type in Ireland.<ref>[http://www.npws.ie/en/NatureReserves/Kilkenny/ Fiddown Island Nature Reserve] National Parks and Wildlife Service</ref>

Gardens in County Kilkenny include Kilfane Glen in [[Thomastown]], [[Woodstock Estate|Woodstock Garden]] in [[Inistioge]], the Discover Park in [[Castlecomer]], Darver House garden in [[Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny|Jenkinstown]], [[Coolcashin Garden]] near [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], Emoclew Garden in [[Goresbridge]], Shankill Gardens & Castle in [[Paulstown]], [[Rothe House|Rothe Family Garden]] in [[Kilkenny]], Dahlia garden in [[The Rower]] and the rose garden at [[Kilkenny Castle]].

==== Flora ====

Flora in County Kilkenny includes the endangered [[Colchicum autumnale|Autumn Crocus]] as well as rare species such as the [[Bog Orchid]], the [[Trichomanes speciosum|Killarney Fern]] and the [[Puccinellia fasciculata|Tufted Salt-marsh Grass]]. There are also vulnerable species like [[Misopates orontium|Lesser Snapdragon]], [[Hammarbya paludosa|Meadow Barley]], [[Small-white Orchid]], [[Groenlandia densa|Opposite-leaved Pondweed]], [[Stachys officinalis|Betony]], [[Galeopsis angustifolia|Red Hemp Nettle]], [[Cephalanthera longifolia|Narrow-leaved Helleborine]], [[Asplenium obovatum ssp lanceolatum|Lanceolate Spleenwort]], [[Scleranthus annuus|Annual Knawel]]  and [[Acinos arvensis|Basil Thyme]]<ref name="National Parks & Wildlife Service">[http://www.npws.ie National Parks & Wildlife Service]</ref>

====  Fauna ====
Fauna in County Kilkenny includes [[Erinaceus europaeus|Hedgehogs]], [[Lutra lutra|Otters]], Badgers, [[Nyctalus leisleri|Leisler's bats]], foxes, [[Myotis daubentoni|Daubenton's bat]], the [[Plecotus auritus|Brown long-eared bat]] and the [[Pipistrellus pipistrellus|Common Pipistrelle]]. There is also [[Cervus nippon|Sika deer]], [[Dama dama|Fallow deer]], [[Mustela erminea|Stoat]], [[Sciurus vulgaris|Red Squirrel]] and [[Sorex minutus|Pygmy Shrew]].<ref name="National Parks & Wildlife Service"/> The bird nesting period is from 1st March until September 1st. Woodlands, Trees and Hedgerows form a network of habitats,ecological ‘corridors’ essential for wildlife to flourish and move between habitats.

==== Woodlands, Trees and Hedgerows ====
'''Woodlands, trees and hedgerows''' in County Kilkneny are part of the county’s biodiversity and are an environmental, economic, amenity and landscape resource.  The tallest tree in Kilkenny is a [[Abies alba|Silver Fir]] of 5.39 x 43m located at [[Woodstock Estate|Woodstock Gardens]] in [[Inistioge]] and the tree with the largest girth is a [[Tilia × europaea|Common Lime]] of 9.01 x 27m located at Coolmore House in [[Thomastown]]. 

There are around 180 significant trees in the county included in the [[Tree Register of Ireland]]<ref>[http://www.treecouncil.ie/tree_register_of_ireland.htm Register of Ireland]</ref>, compiled by the [[Tree Council of Ireland]]<ref>[http://treecouncil.ie Tree Council of Ireland Website]</ref>, based on characteristics such as age, height, diameter, historical or folklore connections. At present there under the ''Planning and Development Act (2000)'' there are 4 Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) in County Kilkenny for the protection of trees, groups of trees and woods of amenity value. These include Oldcourt in [[Inistioge]], [[Keatingstown]], Barna in [[Freshford]], Sawney’s Wood in [[Castlecomer]] and the [[Kilkenny Castle|Castle Gardens]] in [[Kilkenny City]]. 

Important trees in county Kilkenny<ref>[http://treecouncil.ie/pdfs/countys/kilkenny.pdf Top 25 trees in county Kilkenny] - [http://treecouncil.ie Tree Council of Ireland]</ref> include a two [[Cedrus libani|Cedar of Lebanon]] at Kildalton Agricultural College in [[Piltown]], a [[Cupressus macrocarpa|Monterey Cypress]] , [[Fagus sylvatica|Beech]], [[Abies alba|Silver Fir]] and two [[Sequoia sempervirens|Coastal Redwood]] at [[Woodstock Estate|Woodstock Gardens]] in [[Inistioge]]. In [[Thomastown]] there is a [[Tilia x europaea|Common Lime]] at Coolmore House , a [[Quercus robur|English/Common Oak]] at Stoneen Kilfawe, a [[Quercus robur|English/Common Oak]] at [[Mount Juilliet Estate]] and a [[Sequoiadendron giganteum|Wellingtonia, Giant Sequoia]], [[Cupressus macrocarpa|Monterey Cypress]], [[Castanea sativa|Sweet/Spanish Chestnut]] and a [[Quercus ilex|Holm Oak/Evergreen Oak]] at Kilfane Glebe. There is also a [[Quercus cerris|Turkey Oak]] at Threecastles House in [[Kilkenny]], a [[Fraxinus excelsior|Ash]] and two [[Quercus robur|English/Common Oak]] at Ballytobin House in [[Callan]],  a [[Tilia x europaea|Common Lime]], [[Sequoiadendron giganteum|Wellingtonia Giant Sequoia]] and two [[Cupressus macrocarpa|Monterey Cypress]] at Shankill Castle in [[Paulstown]], a [[Quercus robur|English/Common Oak]] at Ballykeefe House in [[Kilmanagh]], a [[Quercus robur|English/Common Oak]] at Fanningstown House in [[Owning]] and a [[Fagus sylvatica|Beech]] at Castlecomer Golf Club in [[Castlecomer]]

Survays of Kilkenny's woodland include ''A Woodland Survey of Kilkenny'', undertaken in 1997 to identify woodlands in the county and ''A survey of broadleaf woodlands in three SACs: Barrow-Nore, River Unshin and Lough Forbes'', Browne et al. (2000), which covers some of County Kilkenny.  There are also legislative measures which recognise the importance of trees woodlands and hedgerows and provide for their protection including the ''Forestry Act (1946)'' and ''Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)''. These stop trees being cut down unless a notice of intention is given and prohibit the cutting of hedges within the bird nesting period. Hedgerows also have historical significance as townland and field boundaries.

=== Demographics ===
{{Historical populations|state=collapsed
|1653|19185
|1659|18427
|1821|181946
|1831|193686
|1841|202420
|1851|158748
|1861|124515
|1871|109379
|1881|99531
|1891|87261
|1901|79159
|1911|74962
|1926|70990
|1936|68614
|1946|66712
|1951|65235
|1956|64089
|1961|61668
|1966|60463
|1971|61473
|1979|69156
|1981|70806
|1986|73186
|1991|73635
|1996|75336
|2002|80339
|2006|87558
|footnote=<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/census Census for post 1821 figures.]</ref><ref>http://www.histpop.org</ref><ref>http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census</ref><ref>{{cite book
|last=Lee|first=JJ| authorlink =John Joseph Lee|editor-last=Goldstrom|editor-first=J. M.|editor2-last=Clarkson
|editor2-first=L. A.|title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell
|year=1981|publisher=Clarendon Press|location=Oxford, England
|chapter=On the accuracy of the [[Irish Famine|Pre-famine]] Irish censuses}}</ref><ref>{{Citation  | last1 = Mokyr  | first1 = Joel
  | author-link = Joel Mokyr  | last2 = O Grada  | first2 = Cormac
  | author2-link = Cormac Ó Gráda  | title = New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700-1850  | journal = The Economic History Review  | volume = 37  | issue = 4
  | pages = 473–488  | date = November  | year = 1984
  | url = http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120035880/abstract  | doi = 10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x
| hdl = 10197/1406
 }}</ref>
}}
As of the 2006 census, by the [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]], County Kilkenny's population was 87,558.<ref name="cso.ie">[http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm CSO - Central Statistics Office (Ireland) Kilkenny]</ref> There were 35,669 [[Irish language|Irish]] speakers as of 2006.<ref name="cso.ie"/> There were 39,809 people currently working in County Kilkenny<ref>{{cite web
 | last =
 | first =
 | authorlink =
 | title = Persons Over 15 years of Age (Number) by County, Year, Sex and Principal Economic Status
 | publisher = [[CSO]]
 | date =
 | url = http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=CNA22&ti=Persons+Over+15+years+of+Age+(Number)+by+County,+Year,+Sex+and+Principal+Economic+Status&path=../Database/Eirestat/Census%20of%20Population/&lang=1
 | format =
 | doi =
 | accessdate = }}
</ref> and 4,133 people on the live register as of August 2008.<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm Source: Live Register Analysis, CSO]</ref> There were 1,251 births and 546 deaths in 2007.<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm Source: Vital Statistics Yearly Summary Report 2007, CSO]</ref> Disposable household income per person as of 2005 was 18,032 euros and the index of disposable household was 89.4.<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactskilkenny.htm Source:County Incomes and Regional GDP 2005, CSO]</ref>

The main religion is Catholic, however there are Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist, Jewish and other religious traditions living in Kilkenny.<ref>{{cite web
 | last =
 | first =
 | authorlink =
 | title = Population (Number) by County, Year and Religious Denomination
 | publisher = [[CSO]]
 | date =
 | url = http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=CNA28&ti=Population+(Number)+by+County,+Year+and+Religious+Denomination&path=../Database/Eirestat/Census%20of%20Population/&lang=1
 | format =
 | doi =
 | accessdate = }}
</ref>

=== Villages and Towns ===
County Kilkenny is bordered by [[County Laois|Laois]], [[County Carlow|Carlow]], [[County Wexford|Wexford]], [[County Waterford|Waterford]] and [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]]. The county contains the town of [[Kilkenny]], located at the center of the county, and the towns of [[Ballyragget]], [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]], [[Castlecomer]], [[Graiguenamanagh]] to the north of the county and [[Mooncoin]] and [[Thomastown]] to the south.

<div style="float:right; position: relative;border: solid #CCCCCC 1px;padding:5px;margin:5px;">
{{Geographic Location
|Centre = County Kilkenny
|North =[[County Laois]]
|Northeast =
|East = [[County Carlow]]
|Southeast =[[County Wexford]]
|South =[[County Waterford]]
|Southwest = 
|West =[[County Tipperary]]
|Northwest = 
|image =
}}
</div>

*[[Ballyhale]], [[Ballyragget]], [[Bennettsbridge]]
*[[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]], [[Carigeen]], [[Castlecomer]], [[Castlewarren]]
*[[Flagmount]], [[Freshford, Ireland|Freshford]], 
*[[Galmoy]], [[Glenmore, County Kilkenny|Glenmore]], [[Goresbridge]], [[Gowran]], [[Graiguenamanagh]]
*[[Inistioge]]
*[[Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny|Jenkinstown]], [[Johnstown, County Kilkenny|Johnstown]], [[Johnswell]]
*[[Kilkenny]], [[Killinaspick]], [[Kilmacow]], [[Kilmoganny]], [[Knocktopher]]
*[[Mooncoin]], [[Mullinavat]]
*[[Paulstown]], [[Piltown]]
*[[Redhouse, Kilkenny|Redhouse]]
*[[Slieverue]], [[Stoneyford, County Kilkenny|Stoneyford]]
*[[Thomastown]], [[Tullaroan]]
*[[Urlingford]]
*[[Windgap, County Kilkenny|Windgap]]

=== Baronies  ===
{{seealso|Baronies of Ireland|List of townlands in County Kilkenny}}

The county was also divided into subdivisions called [[barony (Ireland)|baronies]]. Baronies are divided into [[townlands]]. There were 9 baronies and about 800 townlands in Kilkenny in 1802. Each barony was made up of a number of parishes or parts of parishes. Both civil parishes and baronies are now largely obsolete (except for some purposes such as legal transactions involving land) and are no longer used for local government purposes. 
<div style="float:right; position: relative;border: solid #CCCCCC 1px;padding:5px;margin:5px;">
[[File:Ireland map County Kilkenny Zoom.png|200px|]]
{{Image label|x=0.19 |y=0.39 |scale=200|text='''[[Galmoy]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.49 |y=0.40 |scale=200|text='''Fassadinin'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.27 |y=0.50 |scale=200|text='''Crannagh'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.26 |y=0.62 |scale=200|text='''Shillelogher'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.30 |y=0.72 |scale=200|text='''[[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.39 |y=0.82 |scale=200|text='''[[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.43 |y=0.90 |scale=200|text='''[[Knocktopher]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.60 |y=0.67 |scale=200|text='''[[Gowran]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.67 |y=1.00 |scale=200|text='''[[Ida]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.44 |y=1.07 |scale=200|text='''Iverk'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.43 |y=0.54 |scale=200|text='''[[Kilkenny]]'''}}
Baronies of County Kilkenny
</div>
Baronies in County Kilkenny:
# [[Callan, County Kilkenny|Callan]] (''Callainn'')
# Crannagh (''Crannach'')
# Fassadinin (''Fásach an Deighnín'')
# [[Galmoy]] (''Gabhalmhaigh'')
# [[Gowran]] (''Gabhrán'')
# [[Ida]] (''Uí Dheá'')
# Iverk (''Uíbh Eirc'')
# [[Kells, County Kilkenny|Kells]] (''Ceanannas'')
# Kilculliheen<ref name="Kilculliheen">Kilculliheen in [[County Kilkenny]] was part of Gaultiere in [[County Waterford]] until the [[Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898|Local Government Act 1898]]</ref> (''Cill Choilchín'')
# [[Kilkenny|Kilkenny City]] (''Cill Chainnigh'')
# [[Knocktopher]] (''Cnoc an Tóchair'')
# Shillelogher (''Síol Fhaolchair'')

For religious administration, the county was divided into parishes. Every parish had at least one church. The barony boundaries and the parish boundaries were not connected. 

From the 17th to mid-19th centuries civil parishes were based on early Christian and medieval monastic and church settlements. The civil parishes are divided into [[townland]]s. See the [[List of townlands in County Kilkenny]]. As the population grew, new parishes were created and the civil parish covered the same area as the established [[Church of Ireland]]. The Roman Catholic Church adapted to a new structure based on towns and villages. There 2,508 civil parishes in Ireland, which frequently break both [[barony]] and [[Counties of Ireland|county]] boundaries.

==References ==
=== Notes ===
<references />