ABSTRACT
From the above list of Irish cities and towns which have been investigated archaeologically it is apparent that all of them are ports, and while it is true that most of the major medieval cities were ports there are many important inland examples, such as Kilkenny, which is only just being archaeologically examined. Kilkenny is lucky in that, unlike many of its contemporaries, it still preserves much of its medieval character, dominated by its cathedral dedicated to St Canice and its large castle, much altered over the centuries, and by the remains of other churches and monasteries of the medieval period. Its medieval street plan is also well preserved and in Parliament Street there is a very fine stone-built house erected in 1594 for John Rothe (pl. 13). It will also be among the first urban centres to be published in the Irish Historic Towns Atlas under the auspices of the RIA.
