Touring Routes
Around Kilkenny
SLÍ 1 Fassadinan Tour
SLÍ 2 The Happy Valley
SLÍ 3 The Ridge of Leinster
SLÍ 4 Gowran Tour
SLÍ 5 Kilkenny Tour
SLÍ 6 Iverk - Ida Tour
SLÍ 7 Slievearagh Tour
All tours are suitable for vehicular access although Route 3 is particularly good for walking or cycling.
Slí 1 - Fassidinan (84km approx.)
(Maps 60 & 61) - Sign: White on Black - Fassidinan Sli
Kilkenny - Jenkinstown - Ballyragget - R694 towards Castlecomer (optional detour at Seven Cross Roads) - R694 to Castlecomer - R426 to Clogh - Cloneen Bridge - Moneenroe - Castlecomer - N78 to Kilkenny.
The Dinin River valley provides some of the scenic charm on this tour while the towns and villages associated with mining tradition in the area are explored.
| Touring Highlights
Jenkinstown Park |
Activity Highlights
Walks in Jenkinstown Park |
Slí 2 - The Happy Valley (82km approx.)
(Maps 60 & 67) - Sign: Green on Black - The Happy Valley
Kilkenny - Tullaroan - Urlingford - Johnstown - Ghatabawn - Freshford - Threecastles - Kilkenny.
This tour threads through islands of low hills and runs through rich farmland in the valleys of the Nuenna and Nore rivers.
| Touring Highlights Brod Tullaroan, Tullaroan Grangefertagh Church and Round Tower, nearJohnstown St. Lachtain's Church, Freshford Ballylarkin Church |
Activity Highlights Freshford Angling School, Freshford Nuenna Farm Equestrian Centre |
Slí 3 - The Ridge of Leinster (94km approx.)
( Maps 60.61 & 67) - Sign: Green on Black - The Ridge of Leinster
Castlecomer - Smithstown - Uskerry - Uskerry Bridge - An Cuan - Bilboa Uisean Park, Rossmore Viewpoint - Clongrennan - Ridge Crossroads Viewpoint - The Butts - Coolcullen - Cassagh - Knockshanbally - Johnswell - Kilderry - Kilkenny - Castlecomer via N78.
This tour pivots on Castlecomer, with contrasting scenic appeals in the Dinin River valley and on the Castlecomer Plateau. The intimate landscapes of the valley contrasts with the marvellous panoramas from the plateau and the Ridge of Leinster.
| Touring Highlights Church of the Immaculate Conception & Castlecomer Demesne, Castlecomer Rossmore Viewpoint Dunmore Cave Johnswell |
Activity Highlights Castlecomer Golf Club, 18 holes Uisean Park, picnic and refreshment area, Rossmore Walks in Castlecomer Demesne Pococke par 3 Golf, Kilkenny Kilkenny Golf Driving Range Countryside Leisure Activity Centre, Bonnettsrath. |
Slí 4 - The Gowran Tour (74km approx)
( Maps 61,67 7 68) - Sign: Red on Black - The Gowran Tour
Kilkenny - Kilderry - Clara Castle - Clifton - N10 - Paulstown - Wells Church - Goresbridge - (detour Borris) - Graiguenmanagh - Glencoum - Gowran - R702 then left to Blanchvillestown - Dunbell - Maddockstown - Kilkenny.
This tour stays predominantly under the scenic influence of the great River Barrow and its valley. History and beauty combine to give the drive its fascination.
| Touring Highlights Clara Castle, Clara Upper Shankhill Castle, Paulstown Ullard Church Duiske Abbey, Graiguenamanagh St. Mary's Church, Gowran |
Activity Highlights Walking the Barrow Towpath Walking the Brandon Hill Way Canoeing on the Barrow Barge Cruising on the Barrow Horse Racing and Golf in Gowran |
Slí 5 - The Kilkenny Tour - (170km approx)
(Maps 67,68 & 75) - Sign: Yellow on Black - The Kilkenny Tour
Kilkenny -Clara Caslte - Clifden - N10 - Paulstown - Wells Church - Royal Oak - Goresbridge (detour Borris) - Graignamanagh- Glencoum - Gowran - R702 then left to Blanchville - Dunbell - Maddoxtown- Kilkenny.
Absorbing some of the great historic and scenic gems in the county, this tour embraces the Barrow valley to the east, the Nore valley at its centre and the Suir valley to the west. These are the three great river valleys of the South-East Region. The tour is very long and will be better appreciated if driven over 2 to 3 days
| Touring Highlights Burnchurch Castle Birthplace of Edmund Ignatiius Rice, Callan St. Mary's Church, Callan Augustinian Friary, Callan Killamery High Cross Ahenny Crosses Kilkieran Crosses Leac an Scial Dolmen, Harristown Knocktopher Church Sheepstown Church Gairdin and Ghorta, Newmarket Aghaviller Church and Round Tower Kilree Monastic Site Kells Priory Thomastown Jerpoint Abbey Thomastown Nore-side Town St. Mary's Church, Watergarden, Clonamery Church Inistioge St. Marys' Church, Inistioge Graiguenamanagh Medieval Town Kilfane Church and Effigy Tullaherin Church and Round Tower |
Activity Highlights Mount Juliet Golf Club, 18 holes, Thomastown Equestrian Centre, Mount Juliet, Thomastown Woodstock Walks, Inistioge Brandon Way Walk Kilfane Glen and Waterfall Nore Valley Park Open Farm, Bennettsbridge Warrington Top Flight Equestrian Centre, Warrington, Bennettsbridge Road, Kilkenny |
Slí 6 - The Iverk - IDA Tour
(Maps 75 & 76) - Sign: Blue on White - The Iverk-Ida Tour
New Ross/Rosbercon - Glenmore - Slieverue - Ferrybank./Waterford - Mooncoin - Fiddown - Piltown - Carrick-on-Suir - Faugheen - Ahenny - Kilkieran - Owning - Mullinavat (detour Tory Hill) - Rosbercon/New Ross.
The Viking/Norman city of Waterford and riverside Norman towns, feature on this tour where the scenic interest is provided in and above the valleys of the Barrow, Suir and Black Water rivers.
Touring Highlights
New Ross
Dunbrody Famine Ship,
Ahenny High Crosses
Kilkieran High Crosses
Poulanassa waterfall
Tory Hill Drive Activity Highlights
Scarke 27-hole Golf Course and Driving Range, New Ross
Waterford 18-hole Golf Club
Tory Hill Walk
New Ross 18-Hole Golf Club
Slí 7 - Slieveardagh Tour (80km approx)
(Maps 67) Sign: Blue on White - Slieveragh Tour
Kilkenny - Ballycallan - Kilmanagh - The Commons - Grange - Kilcooly - Kilmanagh - Kilkenny.
The surprising beauty of the modest Slieve Ardagh Hills and the vivid colours in the rich valleys below them are some of the rewards on this pleasant tour.
Ballycallan Church
Ballykeefe Woods & Park
The War House
National Flag Monument, The Commons
Slive Ardagh Hills
Kilcooly Abbey Activity Highlights
Activity Highlights
Ballykeefe Woods & Park
Ballykeefe Amphitheatre
BUS TOURS
Buggys Coaches
Castlecomer,
Co. Kilkenny.
Tel: 056 4441264
Fax: 056 4441644.
Email: buggy@indigo.ie
"For over half a century, we have been providing coach hire and also local tours with commentary."