This section relates to two houses on Walkin Street which were formerly known as the Munster Arms. A Kilkenny newspaper, 'Finn’s Leinster Journal' (18 July 1770), included an article which referred to an old Inn known as 'The Munster Arms' on Walkin Street. The plot of ground on which this building stood was situated opposite the existing Capuchin Friary on Walkin Street. The buildings were purchased by the Capuchins in 1896 and part of the Munster Arms’ site was given over to Bishop Abraham Brownrigg in lieu of an alms house or charitable institution which was located on the opposite, Friary side of Walkin Street and which was subsequently demolished and incorporated into the existing Friary building (see CA KK/2/1/1/1/15). One of the above-mentioned houses on the Munster Arms site was retained and let to a tenant in order to meet the annual rent of £13 7s 8d on the property (see CA KK/2/1/1/2/5). The section includes deeds with numerous references to the historic owners of the Munster Arms and Alms House sites on Walkin Street including the Colles and Empson families. It is likely that part of Munster Arms site is currently occupied by a property now known as 17 Friary Street which was subsequently sold by the Capuchins (see section 2.1.1.2. below).
Pennyfeather Lane is a minor lane connecting Friary Street (formerly Walkin Street) to High Street and Patrick Street in the centre of Kilkenny city. In the early part of the twentieth century the Capuchins held property on the Lane from Sir Lionel Harty of Belrobin, Dundalk, County Louth. In 1911, it was noted that the Capuchins held two houses on Pennyfeather Lane. On 29 Sept. 1916 a property lease was secured from the representatives of Sir Lionel Harty for 99 years at an annual rent of £60. A portion of this property was sub-let to tenants to cover some of the rent due to the Harty estate (Dr Reginald Griffin leased one house). The outright purchase of the premises on Pennyfeather Lane from the Harty Estate was accomplished in May 1940.
Letter from John Earley, stained glass artist and church decorator, Upper Camden Street, Dublin, to Fr. Jarlath Hynes OSFC regarding designs of the tabernacle and canopy of the High Altar in the Capuchin Friary Church on Walkin Street in Kilkenny.
A flier from the Irish Drapers’ Assistants Association (IDAA) dated March 1906. The IDAA was founded by Michael O’Lehane (1873-1920), a Cork-born trade unionist. Unlike the more traditional trade unions O’Lehane was prepared to recruit women members. Out of a total effective membership of 4,000 in 1914, 1,400 IDAA members were women. It is noted in the flier that 40% of drapery employees in Dublin were female. The main objective of the IDAA was a reduction in the working hours per week. Reference is also made in the leaflet to the unhealthy working conditions endured by drapery employees and the risk particularly from tuberculosis.
