Top 10 Things To Do In Kilkenny, Ireland
Ever wonder what it was like in Ireland during the Middle Ages? Well, get ready for some of the best things to do in Kilkenny, Ireland.
My main aspiration during my visit to Kilkenny was to visit the Smithwick’s brewery and sample my favorite beer right from the source. During my visit, I found a lot more in the small town of Kilkenny than I’d expected. Here are some of the top things to do in Kilkenny that I hadn’t expected to see before I planned my trip.
1. Kilkenny Castle
Your trip to Kilkenny could certainly not be complete without seeing Kilkenny Castle. Located across town from St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny Castle and its grounds are the top attractions in Kilkenny. The gardens on the exterior boast some great views and a nice place for a walk, not to mention the well-placed fountain in the center. The castle also boasts a fantastic view of the river Nore, one of the reasons it was constructed in its particular location.
Within the walls of Kilkenny Castle, and for a small fee, you can take a tour the castle and will find four main locations with various exhibits.
The Ground Floor | Entrance Hall, Grand Staircase, Chinese Withdrawing Room, State Dining Room.
The First Floor | Tapestry Room, Ante Room, Library, Drawing Room, Private Staircase.
The Second Floor | Nursery, Blue Bedroom, Chinese Bedroom, Moorish Staircase
The East Wing | Picture Gallery, Marble Fireplace, Ormonde Picture Collection,
While there is also a West Wing in the castle, but it is primarily used for events, which you can also book should you find yourself for an extended stay in Kilkenny and in need of a venue for a special occasion.
I certainly enjoyed my visit to Kilkenny Castle and highly recommend at least taking a stroll through the garden to see how towering this building is.
2. Rothe House
The Rothe House and Garden is where you will get the chance to see what living in an Irish home felt like for a merchant family in the 17th century. Despite the small size from the front of the building, the complex is comprised of three buildings and has been well maintained despite the high amount of tourist traffic. The garden, which had previously been turned into a parking lot, has since been restored to its former beauty with various vegetation and is certainly the highlight of the complex.
3. Shee Alms House
The Shee Alms House was founded by Sir Richard Shee, an Irish lawyer, politician, and merchant, back in 1582. The building has been operated as a hospital, a church, and even a shop in the past. Currently, the Shee Alms House operates as Kilkenny’s tourist information office. The building holds a lot of historical significance and even was granted its own royal charter back in 1609. Visitors in need of information on the city, or wishing to appreciate a 17th-century building should stop for a quick visit.
4. Medieval Mile
While you’re in Kilkenny, you will almost certainly find yourself on the Medieval Mile, a stretch of roads going through the center of the city. Along the road you will find a myriad of colorful and very Irish-looking buildings. Make sure to stop at some of the pubs and shops along the way, and don’t skip out on the small side alleys either; there are things to see along the whole road.
The road crosses over many roads, but the main two that make a loop from St. Canice’s Cathedral to Kilkenny Castle are High Street and St. Kieran Street. Both roads will be convered thoroughly should you decide to take a quick walking tour of the area.
High Street | This road is the larger of the two main roads in the Medieval Mile. Along its walk, the road is lined with pubs, shopping centers, bakeries, gift shops, and more.
St. Kieran Street | This road is the smaller of the two, but don’t skip it for that reason. A short walk down this narrow road will reveal how charming these smaller shops really are.
If you want to quickly see Kilkenny’s highlights, you can’t go wrong by simply taking the Medieval Mile in one long route. As a bonus, just a few years ago the Medieval Mile now has its own museum to check out that is now open to the public where you can learn about the Rothe and Shee families. For more information, check out the Official Site for the museum.
5. High Street
In Kilkenny, High Street is the main road for shopping, restaurants, and boutique stores. Of course, you will also find several pubs along the road as well. If you have ever seen a street in Kilkenny with several picturesque storefronts lined up, this is the one. The street is also the location of the Market Cross Shopping Centre where you’ll be able to find all your basic necessities should you need them.
One highlight along High Street is a place called Jim Holland’s, where travelers and locals frequent to enjoy some live music and a cold pint of beer. If you’re visiting Kilkenny, you will almost certainly find yourself walking down High Street, so make sure you take part and enjoy!
6. St. Canice’s Cathedral
Across town from Kilkenny Castle, you will find St. Canice’s Cathedral and its iconic round tower. For a small fee, you can tour the inside of the cathedral which is lined with beautiful columns and stained-glass windows. The cathedral is the 2nd longest in all of Ireland, and one of only 3 in Ireland where you can climb to the top of such a tower. Should you choose to, you can buy a ticket to climb the tower, or a combined ticket to see the cathedral as well.
Despite what you may think about this round tower, there is no round staircase to climb. Instead, visitors will need to climb several ladders to several platforms before walking up a few steps to reach the top where you will be rewarded with some great views of Kilkenny.
For opening times and ticket information, visit the St. Canice’s Cathedral Official Site.
7. River Nore
The River Nore is a nice tranquil waterway that passes right through the middle of Kilkenny. The banks on both sides are a great place to stop for a picnic and enjoy the view. If you would like more to do on the water, you can hire a kayak to stroll down the river or take a small boat tour with some great castle views from the bank. There are also fly-fishing classes and rentable rods and reels if you like to fish. Make sure to stop by one of the bridges in Kilkenny to soak up the nice views.
8. Black Abbey
The Black Abbey is one of Kilkenny’s Catholic churches within the city. The name of the church comes from the black cappa that the friars of the Middle Ages wore. Black Abbey is regularly used for mass and other religious occasions and is certainly worth stopping by to appreciate the stained-glass windows and religious artifacts within.
9. Smithwick’s Brewery Tour
If you’re visiting Kilkenny, make sure to stop by and do a tour and tasting at the Smithwick’s Brewery. The Smithwick’s Experience tour offers a tour of the brewery as well as a tasting of their famous Irish red, blonde, and pale ales.
Most pubs that you will visit in Ireland will have at least one of these beers available on tap, but having a pint right from the brewery is a very special treat. If you’re not content with having only a pint of Smithwick’s, the brewery also serves a variety of other Irish beers. In the summertime, between May and September, visitors can also enjoy some live music, street food, and freshly brewed beer at the Barrel Yard of the brewery.
The Smithwick’s brewery currently offers 2 tour types, a basic tour and ale tasting and a more in-depth tour which also includes a Pint Pouring Tutorial, an included Engraved Glass gift, and more. To learn more or see what events are available, check out the Smithwick’s Experience Official Site, or click here to pickup some tickets.
10. Dunmore Cave
If you don’t mind going just north of the city limits of Kilkenny, Dunmore Cave is a great place to see for a half-day trip. The cave is filled with stalagmites and stalactites and the tours will take you deep into the Earth for a tour of the cave. Within the complex, visitors will get to see various artifacts that have been found within, as well as learn about the Viking Massacre that occurred inside over 1000 years ago.
Bonus: Falconry and Archery
For visitors who are looking for a more unique experience, just a few minutes southeast of Kilkenny is the Hawkeye School of Falconry at the Lyrath Estate. The estate is family-owned and operates several classes, both group and private, to learn about and practice the art of falconry. The Hawkeye School has many different packages to choose from where you’ll get the opportunity to fly, handle, and feed one of their hawks or owls in free form.
In addition to falconry, the school also provides courses for learning archery with modern recurve bows, where visitors will get a chance to learn or improve their skills. As an option, the school also provides combined packages if you would like to take part in both activities. If you’re done just walking around the cobblestone streets and need something more, this is definitely worth the time to experience.
Thanks for Reading!
Thank you for checking out this list of some of the best things to do in Kilkenny, Ireland! I loved visiting this small town, and I hope that if you visit, you enjoy your visit as much as I did.
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