Kilkenny's rich history is its most important feature. In the 1850s a group of Irish Catholics trying to flee to an area where they would feel safe from monarchial government walked a full day from the last vestige of civilization (they found) along Minnesota's first road, the Dodd Road, and there a full day from "civilization" laid claim to the land and built their settlement and farms. It was there that they established a Catholic Church dedicated to St. Canice and eventually started a school for their children. While the school no longer exists, the parish still serves the needs of the city and township.