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06 Sept 2025

Tudor Ace constructs first tennis court in Kilkenny

A medieval raquet

A map of Kilkenny city from the early 1600s showing a tennis court

One of the earliest tennis courts in Ireland was situated on the north side of James's Street, Kilkenny, according to leading city archaeologist, Coilin O'Drisceoil.

"This town court was constructed by the tenth earl of Ormond Black Tom in around 1600," Mr O'Drisceoil said.

"It is marked on John Rocque's map of 1758 and its site is now built over by the rear of the Oxfam Shop on High Street," he added.

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