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St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny, founded in the 13th century, is the second longest cathedral in Ireland . The site on which the cathedral stands has been a site of Christian worship since the 6th century.

The architectural style of the cathedral is Early Gothic and it is built of limestone. The cathedral has been carefully preserved in its original style and form. It is richly endowed with many stained glass windows including the East window which is a replica of the original 13th century window. The cathedral contains some of the finest 16th century monuments in Ireland. The memorials stretch right across the social spectrum from the great figures of the house of Ormonde to the humble shoemaker and carpenter. The baptismal font is original and the ancient stone of enthronement for bishops still exists under the seat of the medieval throne in the North Transept, where to this day the bishops of Ossory are enthroned. The continental carvings on the choir stalls and the hammerbeam roof are not to be missed. Beside the cathedral stands the 9th century round tower. It may once have been a watchtower and a refuge and it can be climbed to give an unsurpassed vantage point to view the city of Kilkenny and the surrounding countryside.

The earliest church on the site is presumed to have been made of wood, being replaced eventually in the later medieval period by a romanesque-style stone church. This was in turn replaced by the current imposing medieval cathedral. List of abbeys and priories in County Kilkenny.

There is no mention of Kilkenny in the lives of Cainnech of Aghaboe, Ciarán of Saighir or any of the early annels of Ireland suggesting that it was not of ancient or great civil importance. The hill now containing St. Canice's Cathedral and the Round Tower seems to be the first major settlement. The early christian origin of Round Tower suggests an early ecclesiastical fundation at Kilkenny. The area surrounding the Cathedral, Irishtown, is the oldest part of the city and became the hub around which the town developed. Though the religious origins of the city are well documented, it is not known as yet quite how early secular structures were constructed.

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