History Kilkenny has been an important town since pre-Christian times. The first major settlement appears to have originated on the area of high ground now occupied by St Canice's Cathedral. The round tower currently here is the only above ground remnant of the early medieval monastery founded by the Irish Saint Canice. The surrounding area of Irishtown, as it has been known since Norman times, is therefore the oldest part of the city. 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. The Norman presence in the town is still very evident. Kilkenny Castle was built on an outcrop of rock offering a natural vantage point at a prominent bend in the River Nore. This lies on the site of earlier wattle and mud structures and was the site of the fortifications of the Fitzpatricks and the O'Carrolls (840 A.D.), amongst others. Though the religious origins of the city are well documented, it is not known as yet quite how early these secular structures were constructed. Later medieval life in the city was often lively with a series of walls built to protect the good burghers. The Kingdom of "Ossory", delineated by the rivers Suir and Nore, was governed by Kilkenny. In early Norman times, up to the late 12th century, Kilkenny was the capital of the colony in Ireland. It also became the home of a preceptory of the Knights of St Thomas. Friar John Clyne witnessed the effects of the Black Death in Kilkenny, after its spread in August 1348: "The pestilence gathered strength in Kilkenny during Lent, for between Christmas day and 6 March, eight Friars Preachers died. There was scarcely a house in which only one died but commonly man and wife with their children and family going one way, namely, crossing to death." The Statutes of Kilkenny (1366) got their name from the then Irish Parliament in Kilkenny. The statutes contained nineteen clauses, their general provision being to reduce the influence of the Irish on the Normans. They prohibited intermarriage as well as the customs and language of the Irish, which were considered to have had an adverse effect on the Norman settlers. The statutes also attempted to outlaw Brehon Laws. Kilkenny was the capital of Confederate Ireland between 1642 and 1649, until it surrendered during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. Hurling County Kilkenny's chief claim to sporting fame lies in the ancient Irish game of hurling, and the city is one of the centres of hurling in the county. The Kilkenny county team have won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 30 times. Kilkenny are the current All-Ireland champions, having overcome Limerick in the 2007 All-Ireland Championship final. Kilkenny is also home to prominent hurling secondary schools St. Kieran's College and Christian Brothers School (CBS). Many famous current and past players have played for St. Kieran's, including Eddie Keher, Brian Cody, Eoin Kelly and DJ Carey. As well as the famous inter-county team, Kilkenny has many local hurling clubs including O'Loughlin Gaels, James Stephens and the 2007 All-Ireland club champions, Ballyhale Shamrocks. Football Kilkenny City AFC played in the first division of the Football League of Ireland until January 2008. It entered the league as EMFA in 1986, but resigned their position in the league after 22 years citing “lack of finance, poor results and paltry attendances”. Kilkenny and District Soccer League run leagues at schoolboy, youths and junior level throughout the county. It is affiliated to Leinster Football Association, Football Association of Ireland and the Schoolboy’s Football Association of Ireland. The Kilkenny Floodlit Football League was formed in 2002 with 10 teams in one division. Since then the league has gone from strength to strength and today has 34 teams competing in 3 divisions. At the end of each season all clubs compete for the Floodlit Cup and the Floodlit Shield. All profits go to the O’Neill Centre/Enable Ireland in Kilkenny. Tourism Kilkenny is a popular tourist destination in Ireland. Well regarded for its cultural life, it has always tended to attract culturally aware visitors. The recent rise in "stag" and "hen" parties in the city has seen attempts made at local level to discourage such acitivity, without impigning on the vibrant nightlife the city is known for. Art galleries, historic buildings, craft and design workshops, theatre, comedy, public gardens and museums are some of main reasons Kilkenny has become one of Ireland's most visited towns and a popular base to explore the surrounding countryside. Points of interest within the city and its environs include Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice's Cathedral and round tower, Rothe House, St. Mary's Cathedral, Kells Priory, Kilkenny Town Hall, Black Abbey and Jerpoint Abbey. Festivals   Kilkenny holds the annual Smithwicks Cat Laughs Comedy festival every June, making it the "Comedy Capital of the World". The Kilkenny Arts Festival takes place in late August. During this time Kilkenny plays host to an array of traditional and foreign music, paintings, sculptures, dance and live performances. The Rhythm and Roots festival attracts more mainstream musical performances and the annual concerts in Nolan Park have brought acts such as Rod Stewart, Shania Twain, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Andrea Bocelli. Recently it has been announced that Dolly Parton is to headline the 2008 event.