irishtown was a suburb of the city of kilkenny, within the county of the city but forming a separate borough, called irishtown or st canice. the 1707 election was held indoors because of bad weather, in the hall of the bishop of ossory. for many years prior to 1734, it was the custom of the bishop to order the portreeve "to give cockets to gentlemen, thereby making them free; and as often as the bishop desired it, the same was done." cockets were the titles by which freemen established their right to vote.