Kells (County Kilkenny barony)

Barony of Kells
Ceanannas (Irish)[1]
Barony
Etymology: head fort, seat or residence
Barony of Kells is located in Ireland
Barony of Kells
Barony of Kells
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°27′47″N 7°19′43″W / 52.46306°N 7.32861°W / 52.46306; -7.32861
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyCounty Kilkenny
Civil parishes
List
  • Ballytobin
  • Coolaghmore
  • Dunnamaggin
  • Kells
  • Killamery
  • Kilmaganny
  • Kilree
  • Mallardstown
  • Stonecarthy
  • Tullahought
Government
[2]
 • TypeCounty Council
 • BodyKilkenny County Council
Area
[3]
 • Total155.6 km2 (60.1 sq mi)

Kells (Irish: Ceanannas, meaning 'head fort, seat or residence') is a barony in the south-west of County Kilkenny, Ireland.[4][1][5] It is one of 12 baronies in County Kilkenny.[1] The size of the barony is 155.6 square kilometres (60.1 sq mi).[3] There are 10 civil parishes in Kells, made up of 167 townlands.[4] The chief town is Kells.[6]

Kells lies to the south-west of the county, with the baronies of Callan and Shillelogher to the north (whose chief towns are Callan and Bennettsbridge), and the baronies of Iverk and Knocktopher to the south (whose chief towns are Piltown and Knocktopher). It has a border with County Tipperary on the west.

The barony was part of the territory of the Ua Glóiairn clan of Callann,[7][8] and in the historic kingdom of Osraige (Ossory). Kells Priory is located in the barony. Today it is part of the Roman Catholic Church diocese of Ossory and the Church of Ireland diocese of Cashel and Ossory. Kells is currently administered by Kilkenny County Council.[2]

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