Kilkenny Events - See what's on in Kilkenny

23rd of January at 6.30pm

When the English friar Richard Ledrede was appointed Bishop of Ossory in 1317 during the Scottish invasion of Ireland, Franciscans had been on the island for less than 100 years. Yet by that date 30 of their houses had already been established. The 'poor brothers' as they liked to call themselves were spread out across all four provinces preaching, begging and building. This talk will look at how the Friars Minor became one of the most successful religious orders of the Middle Ages and it will explore their deep and enduring appeal to people both of Gaelic Irish and English descent. Two centuries after Ledrede when Franciscans went into opposition to the Tudor Church of Ireland, they looked back to their medieval forebears to argue that they were the 'organic' and 'natural' conduits of Irish Christianity.

John McCafferty is Professor of History at UCD and the Chair of the Irish Manuscripts Commission. He has been studying Franciscan friars for several decades.

When: Saturday, 1st February
What: Drop-in Coffee Morning
Where: St. Canice’s Cathedral
Cost: €5 (All materials provided)
Time: 11am - 1pm

Enjoy the art of crafting St. Brigid’s Cross with expert Monica Fleming! Using locally sourced rushes, explore various regional cross designs and learn about similar traditions and crafts from across Europe.

Monica, a horticulture tutor with Kilkenny Carlow ETB, brings her passion for folklore, heritage, and native plants to this hands-on workshop. With years of experience in horticulture, craft, and local history projects, she’ll guide you through this special tradition while sharing her extensive knowledge.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate St. Brigid’s Day with creativity and community spirit!

'The Seeger Sessions Revival' have been really making a name for themselves and have played a string of sold out shows throughout the UK and Ireland, and now they bring their breathtaking show to the fabulous surroundings of St. Canice's Cathedral in the heart of Kilkenny City. This will be a very special one-off show and definitely one not to be missed.

The Seeger Sessions Revival – The 13-piece band ‘reviving’ the spirit, energy and musical exuberance that was Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions album and live shows.

This diverse group of talented musicians deliver a high energy 2 hour-long on-stage celebration with hits including ‘Old Dan Tucker’, ‘Jesse James’ and ‘American Land’ to name just a few.‘

Made up of Fiddle, Banjo, Accordion, Steel Guitar, Whistle, a thumping rhythm section, a superb virtuosic 4-piece Brass section and strong group vocal harmonies. Sit back and enjoy an evening of Traditional American Folk songs consisting of a Jambalaya of Bluegrass, Folk, Country, Dixieland, Gospel, Rock ‘N’ Roll and Rhythm & Blues.

6th and 7th of February 2025. 6pm and 8.30pm both evenings

An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer and cinema's most iconic music brought to life by a live chamber orchestra.

Let the Illuminated Orchestra take you through the magical sounds of cinema, performing the greatest film music of all time, enhanced by a stunning light show.

Find out more and get your tickets below.

Saturday 22nd of February 7-8pm

'A Walk around the Grounds'

'Grounds' [tunes based on recurring chord sequences] have been fundamental to composition and improvisation throughout recorded musical history – 'Gregory Walker' was a name given to one such 16th-century dance, the Passemezzo Moderno. This programme features Early Music based on grounds from Ireland, Europe and the New World: Folías, Chaconnes, Canarios and more.

The Gregory Walkers are Laoise O’Brien (recorders), Eamon Sweeney (lute and guitars), Malachy Robinson (viol).

Find out more and book your tickets below

Thursday mornings, 10.30 -12.30
6th March – 10th April 2025

6 week course 

€50 

We are pleased to announce that our Drawing Course will take place in March 2025. Join artist Graham Carew for this six week drawing course at St. Canice’s Cathedral. Graham will lead participants through various techniques, observing shape and line, reacting to the beauty and unique setting of the Cathedral. Participants will have the opportunity to work with a variety of mark making materials to record what they see and how they interpret the space.

This course will coincide with the exhibition of Museum of the Moon by Luke Jerram, which will offer participants a unique opportunity to view this incredible installation but also to sketch and study it.

This drawing course is open to all levels. All materials provided.

This course is kindly funded and supported from Community Education, Kilkenny and Carlow ETB

21st of March 2025

Set Theatre presents The White Horse Guitar Club in St. Canice’s Cathedral to coincide with the breathtaking touring artwork Museum Of The Moon by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.

Tickets go on sale on Friday the 20th of December at 10am

22nd of March 2025

Set Theatre presents Lisa Hannigan Ensemble in St. Canice’s Cathedral to coincide with the breathtaking touring artwork Museum Of The Moon by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 2oth of December at 10am