About Kilkenny Tourism
As a shared collective, Kilkenny Tourism CLG strives to increase the economic impact of continued investment in Kilkenny’s tourism sector and maximize the audience reach.
As the primary vehicle by which marketing and communication strategies are implemented, Kilkenny Tourism CLG engages with Kilkenny Leader Partnership (KLP), the OPW, Coillte, Waterways Ireland, Kilkenny Civic Trust, Fáilte Ireland, Kilkenny County Council and Tourism Ireland to refine the tourism offering. Kilkenny is a hero site within Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ campaign – the tourism stakeholders are targeting increasing visitor numbers with a number of major marketing and branding campaigns, consistent with Kilkenny’s history and heritage.
This is a voluntary group of nominated sectoral representatives who work together to enhance the tourist experience.
Kilkenny Tourism CLG Board
The Kilkenny Tourism Board is made up of volunteers from the local tourism industry. Following the 2024 AGM, the current board members are:
| NAME | ROLE | SECTOR |
|
Gareth Alcorn
|
Chairperson | Kilkenny Tourism CLG |
| Director | Activities & Outdoor Pursuits | |
|
Valerie O’Sullivan
|
Vice Chairperson | Kilkenny Tourism CLG |
| Director | Heritage & Culture | |
|
Mairead O’Dwyer
|
Secretary | Kilkenny Tourism CLG |
| Director | Guesthouses & B&Bs | |
| Colin Ahern | Director |
Hotels
|
| Fiona Delahunty | Director | |
| Francis Nesbitt | Director | Self-catering |
| Jimmy Walsh | Director | GAA |
| Fred Malzard | Director | Vintners, Breweries & Distilleries |
| Bart Pawlukojc | Director | Restaurants |
| Julie Calder-Potts | Director | Food Producers |
| Christopher Heltzel | Director | Jewellers & Crafts |
| Nevin Cody | Director | Shopping, Business, Transport, Health & Beauty |
| Jaki Jordan | Director | OPW |
| Mairead Rohan | Director | LEADER |
Benefits of Membership of Kilkenny Tourism
Why should you join Kilkenny Tourism?
Kilkenny Tourism is a collective marketing body that is concerned with promoting Kilkenny to the domestic and international tourism markets, and influencing the long-term strategic development of Kilkenny city and county. Our vision is that Kilkenny becomes the number one premium tourism destination in Ireland.
We aim to do this by:
- Marketing and promoting the visitor experience to the international and domestic markets
- Representing the diversity of tourism offerings across the entire county of Kilkenny to customers
- Assisting and supporting members to sell the destination and the visitor experience
- Collaborating with agencies and other stakeholders to influence tourism development
For applications, contact info@kilkennytourism.ie.
Marketing & PR
Our marketing and public relations activities are carried out by O’Connell Marketing.
They bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and contacts across a range of sectors which is a direct benefit to all members. It is their role to ensure all sectors are equally represented and promote all areas of County Kilkenny both nationally and internationally. Their aim is to increase the exposure of Kilkenny Tourism and, in turn, increase visitor numbers and length of stay.
For queries and media requests, please contact karen@oconnellmarketing.ie.
Kilkenny Tourism Website
The Kilkenny Tourism Website (visitkilkenny.ie) promotes the destination of Kilkenny and Kilkenny Tourism members. We hope the vibrancy and dynamism of the destination is captured by the imagery, showcasing the contemporary meets classic appeal of this beautiful place.
