4 Destinations That Are So Kilkenny

For almost 40 years, glass designers at Jerpoint Glass have created a unique collection of handmade glassware from their craft studio near the village of Stonyford.

Jerpoint Glass is Ireland’s only glassblowing studio where traditional handcraft techniques that are almost 2,000 years old are still used.

Alongside a small team of master glass-blowers, the Leadbetter family have built Jerpoint into an internationally recognised and iconic brand.

Jerpoint glassware creations are instantly recognisable across the globe because of their unique designs and vibrant use of colour. The glassware can be spotted in movies such as the Harry Potter series and the popular BBC TV series Poldark.

• Stoneyford is just a 15-minute drive south of Kilkenny city and about 25 minutes south east of Woodstock Gardens.
• Jerpoint Glass Studio is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Admission is free.

No trip to Kilkenny is complete without witnessing the splendour and magnificence of this astounding castle and its grounds.

Kilkenny Castle is Kilkenny’s most iconic landmark and one of Ireland’s most visited attractions each year. What is today one the most complete castles you can visit in Ireland started life as a Norman fortress around 1127. The castle was in the Butler clan from the late 14^th Century until it was gifted by them to the people of Kilkenny in 1967.

A tour of the castle is highly recommended. The complex architecture of the building, which has been added to and altered many times since the 12th century, makes for a fascinating visit, not to mention the exquisite furniture, paintings and decoration and glimpses of life through the centuries.

• The castle basement houses the Butler Art Gallery, a major contemporary art gallery with an impressive collection of 20th century Irish art.
• It is advisable to check castle opening times as they change throughout the year.