The Town hall or Tholsel as it is known is an interesting building consisting of a double arcade, five arches in length, with Council Chamber overhead, is crowned by a steeply pitched hipped roof and lantern clock tower. It was rebuilt in 1761 at a cost of £1,315. The architect is unknown but a persistent tradition attributes the design to Italian origins and there are very similar buildings in Northern Italian towns such as Florence which are still used for the same purpose as Kilkenny Tholsel, as a market place. Kilkenny Tholsel, as well as being the seat of taxes had booths on the street floor until early in the 20th century. The arms of Kilkenny were carved on the south facade around 1820 by the Colies family. This blazon was the version accepted in the 18th century. Earlier versions varied but the three turreted castle is common to all. The Council Chamber is a beautifully proportioned room and unmistakably Georgian. In mediaeval times this area of High Street was an open space in which a Market Cross was erected in 1335 but removed in 1771