KILKENNY is an inland county of Ireland, in the pro vince of Leinster. It is bounded on the south by the-river Suire ; on the east by the Barrow ; and is intersected by the Nore, which flows through its centre. Its greatest length, from north to south, from Ow Slewmagy hills to the Suire, is 451- English miles ; and its greatest breadth, from east to west, is about 24 English miles. Dr. Beaufort makes its superficial contents 482 464 English acres ; but Mr. Tighe states, that, from a survey lately made for the use of the grand jury, it amounts to 5 I 0,882 English acres.
This county is mountainous ; and though much furze is still seen on the hills, cultivation is making considerable progress. In consequence of the declivity of the county from north to south, which is about 500 feet, and, from the rapidity of the Nore, w hich descends 13 feet in a mile, the water is carried off, and the county is dry. Kilkenny has also a favourable exposure to the south-east. There is lit tle bog, or marsh land ; and the substratum is limestone, brittle schistus, or porous argillite ; and retentive clay in a very small part of the county. From these causes, the crops are earlier in general than in the tillage counties to the north. The soil is in general good. The northern parts are poor ; but, by the judicious application of lime, and limestone gravel, they may be rendered productive in corn and grass. The baronies of Ibercon, Idagh, and Iverk, are all cultivated. In the plains and rallies of the southern portion, the soil is more fertile. The banks of the Nare contain many delightful prospects and luxuriant fields.
The rivers of Kilkenny are remarkable both for their beauty and utility. The Suire, which separates for about sixteen miles Kilkenny from Waterford, has a winding and majestic course, and conveys the trade that passes between Waterford, Carrick, and Clonmel. It flows with great ra pidity, and has a considerable width till it approaches Wa terford, where it becomes contracted between two rocks, be yond which there is a wooden bridge. The banks afford
very beautiful prospects. It is navigable for large lighters from Witte' ford to Clonntel, a course of about twenty-five miles. It abounds with excellent trout and salmon. Barrow skirts, for about twenty miles, the eastern borders of Kdkenny. It is navigable to Carton, and thence com municates with the great canal. From the new bridge of Ross, to its junction with the Suire, it in general flows be tween very high land, and affords most romantic scenery. The Nore, or Newre, flows through the county for thirty six miles. It receives many tributary streams, and is na vigable for small vessels to Inistioge.
There arc no manufactures of importance in Kilkenny. The common farmers and cotters manufacture frieze, stockings, linseys, and flannels, for their own use, but very little for sale, except in lvesk. There was a school at Kilkenny, where 12 children were taught the art of mak ing lace.
The towns in this county are, Kilkenny, the capital, de scribed in a separate article, Cullum Inistioge, Thomas town, Gowran, Knocktopper, Graigue, Durrow, Castle Counter, and Freshford. The county sends two members to parliament, and the political influence is in the hands of the Earls of Ormond and Besborough.
I? 1792, the population, as given by Dr. Beaufort, was 17,569 'louses, and 100,000 inhabitants. The population in 1300, as computed for the hearth returns, is 17,212 houses, and 1(.3,000 inhabitants. There are 127 parishes, but only 31 churches. The Catholic population in 1800 seems to have been about 93.000. See Beaufort's Memoir ; Tighe's Survey of Kilkenny ; Wakefield's account of Ireland ; and AV, Snaw Mason's Statistical account of Ireland, vol. i. which contains a description of the parishes of Fiddown and Grange. Silv .