About us
Worship and Historical Significance
St Canice’s Cathedral has been an important site of Christian worship since the 6th Century. For both pilgrim and tourist alike, the Cathedral remains both a hallowed place, and one of significant historical interest. Additionally, St Canice's is the mother church of a bishopric which includes six dioceses and eight counties. It continues to be used as a place of prayer and pilgrimage by those who seek the challenge, comfort, and consolation of God. Regular services are held in St Canice’s Cathedral, and all are welcome to participate.
The Cathedral houses the memorials of the many generations that have gathered within its confines to worship the Lord. Apart from its role as a house of prayer, the Cathedral is at the heart of the heritage of the vibrant city of Kilkenny.
The building’s exemplary acoustics are widely enjoyed each year during the Kilkenny Arts Festival, when the sounds of many voices and instruments entertain audiences who arrive from both near and from afar.
Dean’s Greeting and Insights
Welcome to Saint Canice’s Cathedral where for more than 1500 years prayers and praise have been offered to God. This sacred worship continues to be at the heart of our cathedral life today.
This remarkable building stands as an enduring witness to the transforming love of God made visible for us in Jesus Christ. It continues to inspire people to go out into the world to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to follow Christ through lives of daring creativity and deep faithfulness.
This ancient cathedral is where the story of Kilkenny began, and this place gives the city its name – Cill Chainnigh – Church of Cainnech/Canice. This is a place where everyone in our city should find a home and feel a sense of belonging. Whether you have come as a tourist or pilgrim, to experience great art and architecture or simply to attend a concert or event, I trust that you will experience something of the transcendent in the tranquil beauty of this place.
The cathedral is the spiritual home for a lively Christian community where worship, from the simplest prayer to soaring musical excellence, is always accompanied by a warm welcome. We aspire to pray, to serve and to grow in the love of God and our care of God’s people.
More than an artistic treasure and a national monument, this ancient Cathedral Church offers a place of peace, hospitality and welcome. Please light a candle, say a prayer and find comfort in this sacred space.
The Very Reverend Stephen Farrell
Dean of Saint Canice’s Cathedral
St Canices Cathedral
The cathedral, AD1285, is a treasured possession of the Church of Ireland and a vital element of the city’s colourful history as Irelands’ Medieval Capital. The sizeable annual cost of maintaining it is a great responsibility for the parishioners of Kilkenny.
The Society of the Friends of St Canice’s Cathedral was established in 1951 with the aim of contributing towards the general maintenance and preservation of the cathedral and its services.
The funds of the society are applied exclusively to these aims and membership is open to anyone who feels an affinity with this church and wish to support the enhanced presentation of this splendid and ancient cathedral. Membership is just €40.00 per annum.
A general meeting is held annually and an address is given on some feature of interest in connection with the history of the cathedral or its architecture.
You are invited to get in touch by email or phone:
Pat Nolan Hon Secretary, email; pnolan@iora.ie or phone 00353 078 2411 955
The cathedral, AD1285, is a treasured possession of the Church of Ireland and a vital element of the city’s colourful history as Irelands’ Medieval Capital. The sizeable annual cost of maintaining it is a great responsibility for the parishioners of Kilkenny.
The Society of the Friends of St Canice’s Cathedral was established in 1951 with the aim of contributing towards the general maintenance and preservation of the cathedral and its services. The funds of the society are applied exclusively to these aims and membership is open to anyone who feels an affinity with this church and wish to support the enhanced presentation of this splendid and ancient cathedral. Membership is just €40.00 per annum. A general meeting is held annually and an address is given on some feature of interest in connection with the history of the cathedral or its architecture.
You are invited to get in touch by email or phone:
Pat Nolan Hon Secretary, email; pnolan@iora.ie or phone 00353 078 2411 955
Friends Preserving St. Canice’s Heritage
Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory
It is unique in the Anglican Communion in having six functioning cathedrals, of which St Canice’s is the largest. The other five are in Cashel (the ancient ecclesiastical capital of Munster), Waterford City, Lismore (a major monastic Centre in early Christian Ireland ), Leighlin (a delightfully peaceful cathedral village in Co Carlow) and Ferns ( associated with the ancient Kings of Leinster ). All the cathedrals are well worth a visit and and are fascinatingly different - the present Waterford Cathedral for example while built on a Viking site is one of Ireland’s great Georgian churches.
The large number of cathedrals is due to the coming together over subsequent centuries of small medieval dioceses dating back to the eleventh century.
Today’s Cashel Ferns and Ossory is a place of rich variety, both human and topographical. While the splendid cathedral close around St Canice’s is its administrative hub and the place where the bishop is based, the diocese includes urban Waterford ( famous for its cut glass), the Rock of Cashel, the beaches of the sunny south east, large areas of productive farmland, and of course Kilkenny city itself with all its history and atmosphere. The diocese has 144 places of worship in addition to the cathedrals and offers pastoral support to people of many talents and occupations ...but with a particular emphasis on rural parochial ministry. Living out the Gospel with its joys and its challenges is an exciting task in modern multi - cultural Ireland, and we are glad to do so in a context where there is good ecumenical goodwill between all the churches bearing the name of Christ and striving to encourage faith in him.
We hope you will enjoy the cathedral of Ossory, and widen your horizons to see something of the rest of the diocese too! And of course we love to receive your feedback about your experiences among us, whether at public worship or during your more personal visits to our many historic holy sites.
The Rich History of the Church of Ireland
It is unique in the Anglican Communion in having six functioning cathedrals, of which St Canice’s is the largest. The other five are in Cashel (the ancient ecclesiastical capital of Munster), Waterford City, Lismore (a major monastic Centre in early Christian Ireland ), Leighlin (a delightfully peaceful cathedral village in Co Carlow) and Ferns ( associated with the ancient Kings of Leinster ). All the cathedrals are well worth a visit and and are fascinatingly different - the present Waterford Cathedral for example while built on a Viking site is one of Ireland’s great Georgian churches.
The large number of cathedrals is due to the coming together over subsequent centuries of small medieval dioceses dating back to the eleventh century.
Today’s Cashel Ferns and Ossory is a place of rich variety, both human and topographical. While the splendid cathedral close around St Canice’s is its administrative hub and the place where the bishop is based, the diocese includes urban Waterford ( famous for its cut glass), the Rock of Cashel, the beaches of the sunny south east, large areas of productive farmland, and of course Kilkenny city itself with all its history and atmosphere. The diocese has 144 places of worship in addition to the cathedrals and offers pastoral support to people of many talents and occupations ...but with a particular emphasis on rural parochial ministry. Living out the Gospel with its joys and its challenges is an exciting task in modern multi - cultural Ireland, and we are glad to do so in a context where there is good ecumenical goodwill between all the churches bearing the name of Christ and striving to encourage faith in him.
We hope you will enjoy the cathedral of Ossory, and widen your horizons to see something of the rest of the diocese too! And of course we love to receive your feedback about your experiences among us, whether at public worship or during your more personal visits to our many historic holy sites.
Exploring the Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is a family of Churches in over 165 countries around the world. The modern Anglican Communion recognises itself as being in a relationship of unity based on four Instruments of Communion:
- The Archbishop of Canterbury, who exercises a role of spiritual leadership
- The Lambeth conference of Bishops of the Anglican Communion meeting every 10 years.
- The Primates Meeting of Archbishops, Presiding Bishops, Moderators and Chief Pastors.
- The Anglican Consultative Council of laity, priests, bishops and archbishops meeting triennially.
For more information, visit the Anglican Communion website.
