Oral History and Experiences
Oral recordings add a qualitative element to local studies' and history. They give an insight into individuals' personal experiences of living and working in Kilkenny.
Kilkenny County Library has a policy of collecting and recording the experiences and reminiscences of individuals and communities.
The Irish Life and Lore Series: Kilkenny Collection
These recordings are available for borrowing through our branch network and for listening in our Local Studies Department..
There are two collections, series one and two.
Series one addresses a wide variety of subjects, the emphasis is on Kilkenny crafts and skills. They range from farming traditions, slate quarries, barge boatmen, fishing, rural electrification, teaching & the religious vocations. Traditional crafts for example pottery & stone wall building are also covered.
Old Kilkenny houses & estates are recorded from the perspective of owners & staff giving a valuable insight to a forgotten era of Irish life.
Series two addresses the contributions and roles of Kilkenny women to society. In addition areas of Kilkenny not covered in the first series are covered here.
Clara Parish Collection
The lives and experiences of an individual community are covered in the Clara Parish Collection Clara is a parish situated to the north-east of Kilkenny City.
Collection is courtesy of the Clara community.
This collection is available for listening at the Local Studies' Department
Click Clara Parish Collection.pdf (size 545.1 KB) to download details.
In addition, various other recordings are kept in the Local Studies Department, please ask for details..
The preservation of this cultural transcript of Kilkenny is an ongoing process and we hope to continue to add to the collection.
U.C.D. Folklore Collection
This collection for County Kilkenny dates from the 1930’s and was compiled by pupils in National Schools around the County. In many Case the original handwriting of the pupils has being preserved.
A wide range of topics are covered including family histories, ghost stores, food preparation and agricultural practises.
The following schools are covered.
| Ballycallan N.S. | Ballydaniel N.S. | Ballyfasey N.S. | Ballyfoyle N.S. |
| Ballyhale N.S. | Ballyline N.S. (Callan) | Ballyragget B.N.S. | Ballyragget Convent |
| Ballyuskill G.N.S. | Baurnafea N.S. (Paulstown) | Bennettsbridge N.S. | Bigwood N.S. |
| Boolyglass N.S. (Stoneyford) | Brownstown N.S. (New Ross) | Burnchurch N.S. | Callan - Boys |
| Callan - Christian Brothers | Callan Convent of Mercy | Carrigeen N.S. | Castlecomer G.N.S. |
| Castlegannon N.S. (Mullinavat) | Clara N.S. | Clinstown N.S. | Clodiagh N.S. (Inistioge) |
| Clogga N.S. | Clogh B.N.S. | Clomantagh N.S. | Clonmore N.S. |
| Clontubrid N.S. Freshford | Colliery N.S. Castlecomer | Conahy N.S. | Convent of Mercy, Graiguenamanagh |
| Coolroebeg N.S., Thomastown | Coone N.S., Leighlinbridge | Coppena N.S., Graiguenamanagh | Creenkill N.S., Johnstown |
| Crosspatrick N.S., Johnstown | Cuffesgrange N.S. | Danesfort N.S. | Desart N.S. |
| Dunamaggin N.S., Thomastown | Dunbell N.S. | Dungarvan N.S., Gowran | Dunmore N.S. |
| Ferrybank N.S. | Firoda N.S. | Foulkstown N.S. | Freshford G.N.S. |
| Galmoy N.S. | Garrygaug N.S. | Goresbridge B.N.S. | Gowran B.N.S |
| Gowran G.N.S. | Graiguenamanagh B.N.S | Graine N.S., Urlingford | Harristown N.S. |
| Inistioge B.N.S. | Inistioge G.N.S. | Johnstown B.N.S. | Johnstown G.N.S |
| Johnswell N.S. | Kilkenny Convent | Kilmacoliver N.S. Piltown | Kilmacow B.N.S |
| Kilmaganny N.S. | Knocktopher N.S. | Lisdowney N.S., Ballyragget | Lisnafunction N.S. |
| Listerlin N.S. | Mong, Thomastown N.S. | Monroe N.S., Knocktopher | Mooncoin N.S |
| Mooncoin Convent | Muckalee N.S. | Mullinakill N.S. | Mullinavat Convent |
| Mullinavat N.S. | Newmarket N.S. | Owning Convent | Paulstown Convent |
| Piltown Boys | Piltown Girls | Presentation Convent, Castlecomer | Revenagh N.S., Coolcullen, Muine Beag |
| Ringville N.S. | St. Brigid's Convent, Goresbridge | St. Canice's Boys | St. Fiacrea's |
| St. Fiachra's Ullard, Borris | St. John's Boys | St. John's Girls | St. Patrick's |
| St. Patrick's Convent | Skeoughvosteen N.S., Goresbridge | Slieverue N.S. | Smithstown N.S., Castlecomer |
| Stoneyford N.S. | Strang's Mills N.S. | Templeorum N.S. | Thomastown Convent |
| Tobernabrone N.S. | Tullaroan N.S. | Tullaroan G.N.S | Urlingford B.N.S. |
| Whitechurch N.S. | Windgap Boys, Thomastown | Windgap Girls , Thomastown |