Nestled in the heart of the medieval city of Kilkenny St Mary’s Parish, similar to the other three parishes of the city, serves the people of its geographic area and those who regularly worship in the Cathedral. From Friary Street to the River Breagagh the parish embraces the heart of the ancient city: High Street, Parliament Street and the Watergate, Abbey Street and James Street; ancient laneways that carry names of yesteryear; squares and greens, streets which remember heroes Emmet and Parnell, saints like Dominic and Francis, churchmen such as Murphy and Cavanagh; from the River Nore westward to the townlands of Clonmoran and Poulgour, Drakelands and Castleinch. The parish is the smallest of the four city parishes.