21. Rural and Urban Settlement in Ireland Managing information and thinking Examine the OS map of Kilkenny and answer the following questions:
1. With reference to the map and photograph, give three reasons for the development over time of Kilkenny City.
2. What evidence can you see in the photo that suggests Kilkenny was once a Norman town?
3. Locate the castle shown in the photo on the OS map and give its six-figure grid reference.
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OS map (above) and aerial photograph (below) of Kilkenny City
50 51 52 53 54 50 51 52 53 54 57 56 S 57
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Managing information and thinking
See pp. 98–101 in Chapter 7 for information on settlement patterns and OS maps.
Revise the functions of settlement on p. 102 of Chapter 7. List the functions provided by the settlement you live in or near.
Attempt to chart the increase/decrease in the functions provided by this settlement over time.
The functions of a settlement can depend on a number of factors. The settlement’s location is important, e.g. those on a coastline may have a port function. Norman towns would have had a defensive function with a castle or town walls to protect against attack.
In Chapter 22, we will examine how the change in settlements over time can lead to the development of more functions and to increased population.