Kilkenny city
Kilkenny Castle
Medieval beauty
A 12th century castle, a bustling crafts scene, time-honoured traditional pubs, cobbled lanes and secret alleys – Kilkenny mixes small-town charm and big-city buzz to perfection.
Set within Ireland’s Ancient East and just 90 minutes from Dublin, this is a place packed with colourful characters, amazing music and an electric atmosphere.
By day, you can pile on the culture with medieval showpieces, brewery tours and design exhibitions, but after dark Kilkenny amps things up with cracking trad music sessions, historic pubs and some of the best festivals on the island.
What are you waiting for?
Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny city
Amazing things to do
From historic family castles to fast-paced hurling, Kilkenny’s distinct personality is what makes it so unmissable.
Nature beckons – beyond the city
Step out of Kilkenny city, and a necklace of charming towns and villages along the River Nore await. In Bennetsbridge, Thomastown, Inistioge and more, you’ll discover a landscape that harks back to ancient times and tales filled with rich green tones and gently flowing waters.
The countryside here is perfect for off-the-beaten track adventures. Head southeast to the village of Graiguenamanagh and the gloriously beautiful River Barrow, and you’ll find plenty of walking, kayaking and cycling options in a pristine natural environment.
And don’t forget that Kilkenny is at the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, so there’s always a castle, a grand mansion or a magnificent monastery nearby!
County Kilkenny
L-R: Inishtioge village; kayaking in Graiguenamanagh; bales of straw dotting a County Kilkenny field; a craft worker in Inistiogue
Clonmacnoise, County Offaly
Exploring Ireland’s Ancient East
Starting off in Shannon, this 6-day trip will bring you through Tipperary to Kilkenny city and beyond.
Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary
Castles and conquests
Ghosts, great oaks and the gift of the gab – find out the ultimate castles to visit for history, legend and landscapes.
