"The Kilkenny Races" is an Irish set dance. The title may refer to horse races at Gowran Park near Kilkenny, Ireland which was established in 1914. Kilkenny is about half way between Dublin and Wexford. Kilkenny takes its name from Saint Kenneth, a companion of St. Columba. The challenging part of this tune is reaching the high D in the B part which requires a move to third position on the fiddle. Since the following descending sequence proceeds in quarter notes the progression from d to a to b to g gives two opportunities to shift back to first position. It was printed in Joyce's Old Irish Folk Music and Song (1909) and McNulty's Dance Music of Ireland (1965). It was recorded by Sean McGuire, Sean Ryan and Mick Maloney. I learned from Mick Maloney's recording with Eugene O'Donnell.