Both the City and County quietly emanate the very best that Ireland has to offer. From culture to creativity, fine eateries to vibrant nightlife and outdoor adventures to medieval magic, this is the place that has something for everybody.
Hydrobikes - the most exciting new water adventure experience in Ireland to “Explore The Nore like Never Before!”
Hydrobikes provide a gentle, low-impact aerobic total body workout; but it all depends on how fast you pedal. Take a hydrobike out for a leisurely ride along the Nore, a fast cardio workout, photography session, or a spot of fishing. They are non polluting, easy to ride, lightweight, safe, stable and are the perfect way to experience water sports. Hydrobikes are super dog friendly, and your furry friend will love the ride as much as you will. They are easy to ride and suitable for adventurers from ages 8 upwards.
Hydrobikes are single-seated, one person per bike with a minimum age requirement of 8.
The luxury, sophistication and style of Lyrath Estate are unsurpassed among Kilkenny hotels. Lyrath Estate is a multi-award winning hotel, spa and luxury wedding venue offering some of the finest accommodation, dining, and conference facilities in Ireland. Located amidst 170 acres of mature parkland, the Estate is home to a host of native wildlife including ducks, rabbits, hares, and squirrels. Lyrath Estate is a family-friendly hotel, boasting a leisure centre with a 17m swimming pool, 22 seater private screening room, outdoor playground and Reilly’s Fun Club. Guests can also avail of activities such as archery, falconry, cycling, walks and fishing throughout the Estate.
Escape and unwind with romantic breaks at Lyrath Estate – enjoy fine dining at our Two AA Rosette winning Yew Restaurant, rejuvenate with an Oasis Spa signature treatment, such as the award-winning Neroli Blossom Ritual, enjoy afternoon tea in The Atrium and catch up over cocktails in Tupper’s Bar! Try a tomahawk steak or lobster in the casual chic Grill & Bar.
The historic setting, exceptional facilities and exquisite food, mean Lyrath Estate is the ultimate wedding venue in Kilkenny. The award-winning Oasis spa voted 'Irish Tatler Hotel Spa of the year' is a popular destination for spa days & pamper breaks in Ireland not to mention among Kilkenny hotels. The Kilkenny Convention Centre, part of Lyrath Estate, is the largest convention/conference venue in Kilkenny, with state of the art facilities, natural daylight and ample free parking we can cater for up to 1500 delegates theatre style, or 850 for a gala dinner.
Book your stay today in this top class hotel www.lyrath.com
The four star Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel is certainly a dazzling jewel in this remarkable medieval city and is the only Kilkenny city centre hotel with pool and a full leisure club and spa, including a gym, 21metre pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. Located right beside Kilkenny’s most popular tourist attractions such as Kilkenny Castle, and the Medieval Mile - St. Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower with spectacular views and the intriguing medieval merchant house Rothe House. Discover the city’s finest restaurants, cafes, theatres, shops and boutiques all on the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel’s doorstep.
Experience a hotel stay to remember with facilities to suit everyone from romantic spa weekends enjoying luxury treatments in the KOSpa to family breaks with the hotel’s kid club during school holidays. This 4 star Kilkenny Hotel is also the perfect choice for your celebration or corporate event with its tailored banqueting and conference facilities or simply as a hub to explore this fantastic city and its environs.
The Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel has 118 contemporary styled hotel guestrooms including family hotel rooms and suites. The Hoban Bar and Brasserie offers stylish hospitality and serves great drinks and relaxed food in glamorous surroundings and in addition the Savour Restaurant is the perfect spot for breakfast and private dining. With the numerous facilities and services this 4 star hotel offers it is the perfect choice for a visit to Kilkenny city. Visit KilkennyOrmonde.com and book your stay today!
The luxurious 4 star Newpark Hotel has centuries of heritage steeped in its walls. It rests on the edge of medieval Kilkenny City, a cultural gem of festivals and historical sites. This family-friendly Kilkenny hotel is the ideal base for exploring the city and its surrounds. Local attractions include Kilkenny Castle, the Cathedral of St. Canice and Round Tower and the Medieval Mile to name but a few. However, there is no need to leave the property to enjoy a break away. It is located on over 40 acres of parkland and offers luxuriously appointed guest rooms. Also on offer are mouth-watering dining options, a fully equipped Health Club & luxurious Spa and magnificent gardens. A go karting track, animal petting farm, playground and more importantly a fairy trail are provided to make that family trip extra special.
The Flynn family have a renowned reputation for a warm welcome and true hospitality in this Kilkenny hotel. A relaxed atmosphere has been created and an outstanding experience for all guests. The stylish guest rooms offer unparalleled luxury not to mention astounding views over the luscious, green gardens. The view extends as far as the Urban Fen walk, with acres of peaceful parkland as far as the eye can see.
Also available are elegant banqueting suites, suitable for a large or intimate Kilkenny wedding and spacious conference facilities. The dedicated team at the Newpark Hotel will ensure all your needs are met whether you are staying for business or pleasure.
Experience the adrenaline of paintball, the fun of bubble football, the playfulness of splat ball and the hell in the Hells’ Kitchen Assault Course (and much more!) all at the Kilkenny Activity Centre! Located just off the Kilkenny ring road adjacent to the Orchard House Bar & Restaurant, activities include Splat ball, Bubble Soccer, Paintball, the much lauded ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Assault Course and loads of fun.
Highlights:
• Activity Centre offering a range of challenging & fun activities for all the family
• Open all year round, 10hrs a day 7 days a week. 10- 6pm
• Cost: from €17.50 per activity
• Booking essential
Hire Canoes and accessories from Paddle Your Own Canoe for 1 to 5 days canoe and camping adventures, experience the wonders and delights of the barrow River.
Do you dream about escaping stress for a couple of days and drifting down a river in a canoe? Or setting off on an adventure and getting back to nature for a holiday, a break or something new with friends, family or work colleagues? Paddle Your Own Canoe offers you the opportunity to rent a canoe and camping gear and organise your multi day trip down the River Barrow. Pass through beautiful countryside, villages, towns and historical sites on a journey with Paddle Your Own Canoe .
This modern, chic hotel is Kilkenny’s largest 4* hotel and is decorated with Italian marble, French wallpaper and custom pieces of furniture throughout. Hotel Kilkenny will ensure you feel immersed in style and ready to relax. This 138 bedroom hotel is located just off the Ring Road with plenty of free car parking available & fast speed wifi throughout the hotel.
Relax in the 5* Leisure Centre with a 20 metre pool, sauna, jacuzzi and steam room. The amazing kids club is available on weekends and throughout school holidays. Kids can enjoy fun filled activities, while adults dine in either Taste Restaurant or the funky Pure Bar.
The Pure Bar at Hotel Kilkenny offers an extensive drinks, wine and cocktail list including some specialist drinks carefully assembled by the Pure team. The food menu has been crafted to offer a great variety of dishes to suit all needs.
Renowned for weddings & the impeccable service, Hotel Kilkenny also offers a vast range of conference and meeting space. Whether its a private party, large conference or small meeting room, we cater for all events.
Base yourself in Hotel Kilkenny and explore the wonderful medieval city that is part of Irelands Ancient East. Book your stay today www.Hotelkilkenny.ie
Take a guided boat tour of Kilkenny in a traditional Irish Open-Boat on the historic river Nore as it flows through the city. Learn of the often unspoken and local history that the river holds. Witness the wildlife that thrive in the urban environment and that have shared the waterways with man for thousands of years. See Kilkenny as both invaders and settlers did, entering the city by boat. Be sure to bring your camera as you'll have the opportunity to capture some very unique views of Kilkenny including a rarely viewed angle of the Castle, as seen from river level.
The guides are friendly, entertaining and possess a love for the job they do. You'll find the boat trips relaxing, informative and most of all memorable. To get a feel of what to expect, have a look at this fantastic video.
The 30 minute trips in Kilkenny are by group booking only due to Covid 19.
For more information, call Cliff on 00 353 (0)87 2061999.
Redefine your Steak-House experience at Butcher Restaurant in the Heart of Kilkenny. Quality contemporary food & Cocktails are served in their relaxed and intimate restaurant. Enjoy the finest cuts in the best company!
When visiting Butcher Restaurant guests are sitting just nine miles from Summerhill Farm, Thomastown, where they rear their own traditional breeds including purebred Hereford, Galloway and Aberdeen Angus. These cows are born and raised at Summerhill and are grass fed for 10 months of the year. The restaurant host, Mark Williams is a 6th generation beef farmer at Summerhill Farm. Mark has been supplying beef to top restaurants around Ireland since the 1990's which is how he met their Head Chef James Dewberry and was inspired to open this restaurant, Butcher in the heart of this medieval city.
The former St Mary’s Church has been converted into a modern museum, and is a venue for select events and exhibitions. Designed to enrich the cultural life of the city and provide a new international standard attraction for visitors the museum has several functions: as the starting point for understanding Kilkenny’s medieval history, to display Kilkenny’s Civic Treasures and replicas of some of Ossory High Crosses and to provide a space for temporary exhibitions and cultural events.
The 13th century St Mary’s church and graveyard is the finest example of a medieval church in Ireland. As the starting point of the ‘Medieval Mile’ trail, it brings to life Kilkenny’s history as Ireland’s premier medieval city. Displays of Kilkenny’s civic treasures and replicas of some of the High Crosses of Ossory illustrate the local Gaelic monastic heritage and the ancient city’s historic role in Ireland.
Kilkenny’s 800-year story is told with a contemporary twist within the new museum. The customer experience contains a long colourful interactive table similar to a giant iPad, an elongated plasma TV screen and projected imagery onto a giant wall allowing visitors to get immersed in the rich history with the aid of modern technology.
Visitors to the museum will come face to face with the physical remains of people who walked the streets of Kilkenny centuries ago, and will discover how forensic analysis has revealed many of their secrets in the brand new cutting-edge exhibition 3 Lives, 3 Deaths, One Life Unlived.
For your health and safety the Team at the Museum have introduced set entry times and designed a new Interactive Audio Tour which can be downloaded directly to your device.
Hurling Tours Ireland
Kilkenny City; Kavanagh's Bar, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny.
At Hurling Tours Ireland, we provide a unique experience for visitors to Co. Kilkenny. We are involved in giving visitors an introduction to our ancient national sport, Hurling.
You would be mad to visit Ireland and not try our unique and ferocious sport. You will learn about the history of Hurling and how it has evolved into the fastest field game in the world, that we see today. This is all done in a Hurling team's dressing room in Kilkenny City, giving you that up-close, intense experience. Once you are up-to-date on the basics of the game, we take you on to the 'field of dreams' to try a few skills for yourself. This will be an unforgettable experience that will live long in the memory of each guest. We give everyone an opportunity to take a shot at the goalposts, and score like the Kilkenny Cats so often do.
We have had visitors from many different nationalities and backgrounds fall in love with Hurling and the culture it creates in Ireland. Visitors from Canada, USA and Australia even promising to join a GAA Club when they return home.
Locations:
Kilkenny City; Kavanagh's Bar, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny
Butterfly Valley Glamping is a unique luxury camping experience located in an area known locally as the ‘Happy Valley’ of Thomastown. Located about two kilometres from Thomastown in the heart of beautiful Kilkenny countryside, the glampsite overlooks the woods and the river Nore.
This intimate site offers luxury bell tents and wooden pods with comfy beds, that will convince even the most reluctant camper of the benefits of enjoying the outdoors. A converted wooden lodge accommodates a fully equipped kitchen/dining/chill out area where tea/coffee and board games are available. Also in the lodge are our luxury bathroom facilities. An outdoor BBQ and play area allow you to reconnect with the outdoors. At night a campfire area allows stargazing and toasting marshmallows while sipping a cold beer while the sun goes down.
They are located within easy access of Thomastown in a secure, secluded site and is also centrally located to explore the Sunny Southeast.
A visit to Rothe House is high on the list of things to do in the Marble City.
Rothe House is a unique Tudor merchant’s townhouse, built between 1594 and 1610. The property comprises three houses, three enclosed courtyards and a large garden to the rear. The property is a lot bigger than it looks from the street! To accommodate his growing family, on this long, narrow plot John Rothe Fitzpiers built three houses, one behind the other, with cobbled courtyards in between. To the rear is a half-acre garden that runs all the way back to the City Wall.
The property is now owned by Kilkenny Archaeological Society and is home to their large collection of artefacts relating to Kilkenny city and county. The garden has been painstakingly reconstructed to reflect the Rothe Family garden and is planted with heritage varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit; there are even resident ducks!
The house is open to the public and visitors will have the opportunity to make their way through the houses, courtyards and gardens on a self-guided tour. Full guided tours can also be arranged for groups by contacting reception@rothehouse.com.
Go back in time to a 12th Century castle, remodelled and restored and set in 1830's splendour and extensive parklands: includes art gallery and playground. Publications are also on sale.
Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Kilkenny Castle. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years.
Today, Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see this grand country house and walk through its fifty acres of rolling parkland with mature trees and an abundance of wildlife. Other features include a formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and a man-made lake, which were added in the nineteenth century. There is also a tearoom, playground and several orienteering trails for visitors to enjoy.
Please note that free admission on the first Wednesday of each month is not applicable at Kilkenny Castle.
Access for visitors with disabilities to ground floor and the gardens only.
Kilfane Glen and Waterfall located in Thomastown, Kilkenny is a pristine example of a romantic era garden dating from the 1790s. Untouched for 200 years, it is a picturesque paradise with a waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage orné. Tiny bridges sit among ancient trees, wild fox-gloves, ferns and other historically correct 18th century planting.
The garden is listed as an Irish Heritage garden and was awarded assistance in 1993 by the European Union Cultural Commission. As an amenity it covers about 15 acres of easily accessible natural landscape. Other nearby gardens of historic significance are Altamount, Haywood (Luyteens), Mount Juliet, Woodstock and Ballymaloe Kitchen Gardens.
Visit the unique Heritage Site in Jerpoint Park and enjoy a guided tour of the footprints of a deserted 12th Century Medieval town dating back to 1200AD. Your local guide will delve into the history and importance of this once thriving town called Newtown Jerpoint. Take a step back in time and explore the standing remains of St. Nicholas's Church, the domestic tower and the stunning 14th Century Medieval Tomb. Jerpoint Park also offers Angling for wild Salmon and wild brown trout or why not try something completely unique and come watch our Sheep Dog demonstration, showcasing man and dog working together as one. www.jerpointpark.com
*Guided Heritage Tours
Unearth the footprints of a 12th Century Medieval Town called Newtown Jerpoint plus the Tomb Effigy of St. Nicholas with a Guided Heritage Tour. Daily tours: 10.30am & 2.30pm from mid April to mid October.
*Sheep dog demonstrations
Sheep dog Demonstrations at Jerpoint Park shows Sheep Dog Demonstrations at Jerpoint Park show a strong bond of respect between man and dog.
Border collie dogs are the preferred dogs used here & is a wonderful event to see man and dog working together as one.
Daily sheep dog demo: 11.30am & 3.30pm from mid April to Mid October
*Fishing
Fishing for wild brown trout and wild salmon on the River Nore – rods and bait available for hire. Fishing Daily: between mid April to end of September.
If you have any queries about Jerpoint Park please ring Maeve on 086 6061449
Located on Kilkenny’s historic Parliament Street, just a short walk from Kilkenny Castle. La Rivista's Market Café & Gourmet Pizza offers a casual and contemporary menu to suit all tastes and budgets from breakfast and brunch to a trendy new night time menu serving customer favourites, from starters, pizzas and desserts..
Market Café
The La Rivista Market Café, is open for customers to sit in and enjoy an aromatic coffee and delicious freshly baked cakes and pastries as well as a wide selection of lunch and brunch options including paninis, salads, soups and vegan sandwiches. Stocking a range of gourmet artisan hampers from €25 each, along with other great ‘foodie’ gifts and treats, ideal for that someone special. Products include all the traditional La Rivista favourites from Jams, Crackers, Gourmet Sauces and a range of Irish made treats and gifts. The Market Café opens from 8.30am-4.30pm daily.
Gourmet Pizza Market
From their ever popular delicious hand crafted pizza’s, salads, buffalo chicken wings along with a range of cocktails, the ‘Gourmet Pizza Market’ venue is ideal for an ‘after work’ get together , a quick pre theatre bite (Kilkenny’s Watergate Theatre is a stone's throw away) or a casual catch up with friends. The Gourmet Pizza Market Night Time Menu, is also vegan and vegetarian friendly and will be available from Thursday to Sunday 5-9pm for customers to dine in or take out.
This Kilkenny restaurant also caters for Celiac dietary requirements.
High quality is one of our top priorities. From our meats to our cheeses, from our fresh produce to our eggs, we’re committed to serving you the very best.
Open 24 hours a week, 7 days a week with a Drive Thru also
Looking for restaurants in Kilkenny, Paris Texas is located on the main shopping street in the heart of Kilkenny City. Winner of the ‘Pub of the Year’ in the Irish Pub Awards 2019, the newly refurbished pub has transformed into one of the leading Gastro pubs in the South East and is home to an in-house wood smoking oven offering a fusion of traditional American South West favourites with the sophistication of New Orleans French Quarter.
Paris Texas delivers restaurant quality food at affordable prices ensuring its popularity with local and visitors alike. Regular offers and specials are available mid week with ladies night on Friday not to be missed. Inside this wonderfully adorned pub the bar extends right back from the High St with a large seated area for dining leading on to a bespoke designed covered smoking area and then on to a Gin Bar where Friday Nights come into their own.
The beautiful Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are located overlooking the River Nore Valley and the picturesque village of Inistioge. The gardens date to the 1740's with the main development taking place in the 1800's. A period of disrepair followed during the 1900's following the burning of Woodstock House, however in 1999, Kilkenny County Council undertook an ambitious programme of garden restoration which is now well advanced. Features include a walled garden, rose garden, rockery garden, a recreated Turner Conservatory, a collection of rare and exotic trees in the arboretum and much more including many tranquil woodland walks.
Kiltorcan Raceway is one of Ireland's best go-kart circuit's and is known to be challenging, exhilarating and fun, while still being an extremely safe track.
So whether you are coming as an individual, group of friends, on a corporate team building day or that all important fun filled hen or stag party the team at Kiltorcan Raceway will make sure your time here is packed with excitement and fun while ensuring your safety at all times.
If you are new to go-kart racing or are an experienced driver our state of the art kart's paired with our outdoor super smooth 1000 metre, all weather, floodlit go-kart track will offer you the buzz of a lifetime.
Gaelic Games form part of the flavour of Kilkenny, from UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny city to each of the 41 clubs, to be found in every parish in the county, from Clooneen in the north to Glenmore in the south.
The Kilkenny Senior Hurling team has, since the turn of the Millennium, been the most successful hurling team ever. This success has been founded upon our club games which are run throughout the spring, summer and autumn culminating in our local championship finals in UPMC Nowlan Park.
In recent years the Kilkenny Senior Camogie team has been one of the most successful teams in the country, with their success again based on the thriving camogie club competitions in Kilkenny.
While football is not as strong in Kilkenny as in some other counties, our footballers participate in national competitions at the appropriate level. Of recent years our underage club footballers have competed at national level while Kilkenny Ladies Football continues to develop.
Handball flourishes in Kilkenny with many National and international champions of renown representing Kilkenny. Handball Alleys are to be found throughout the the city and county and details of handball fixtures are to be found here.
Wherever you are in Kilkenny, City or County, you will find the true flavour of Kilkenny at our Gaelic Games.
Kilkenny Cycling Tours offers you the opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites around Kilkenny including Kilkenny Castle, The Kilkenny Design Centre, Shee Alms House, The Tholsel, St. Mary’s Church, Rothe House & Gardens, The Courthouse (Grace’s Castle), St. Francis’ Abbey, The Black Abbey and St. Canice’s Cathedral.
Experience Irish hospitality while having an enjoyable easy-paced cycling around the medieval capital of Ireland with photo opportunities and historical information provided at each destination.
Come explore and enjoy some fun at the farm or stay in our campsite full of mod cons at the delightfully idyllic Nore Valley. Take time out and stroll around the energetic farm while the children play in an interactive and relaxed setting. Bottle feed lambs or goats and feed the ducks and turkeys as well as learning a great deal of knowledge about your Irish heritage of farming. Relax with a cup of tea and home baked scones, biscuits and plenty of other delicious treats while the boys rip up the tracks on our Go-Karting race course. With endless things to do at Nore Valley, there is something for the whole family.
The National Reptile Zoo
Hebron Business Park, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny, R95 KF6V
The National Reptile Zoo is Ireland’s only dedicated reptile zoo! They give you the unique opportunity to come face to face with some of the world’s most amazing animals – including giant pythons, monitor lizards, snapping turtles, tortoise, alligators, tarantulas and more!
They pride themselves on providing a hands-on, interactive experience for every visitor through their hourly Animal Encounters, it’s an experience not to be missed!
This Kilkenny Hotel comprises of 85 ensuite bedrooms, superb Leisure Club with Gym, 19m Pool, Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi and Hair Salon. The luxurious and spacious guest rooms offer every facility and comfort at the end of a long day of business or pleasure. Family-friendly rooms for clans of all sizes are available. To help keep the little ones entertained, the Springhill Court Hotel have a Children’s Playground and Lenny the Lions Kids Club which operates during the school holidays.
For over forty years, guests and locals alike have praised the refined dining experiences at the Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny. Choose from daily carvery in the Paddock Bar, or casual dining at Kupp Coffee Dock. Enjoy lunch or dinner in Oscar’s Bistro, or perhaps afternoon tea, should guests be feeling indulgent! Whatever the occasion, the excellent service on offer makes it special.
From family holidays to fairy-tale weddings, book your stay today and find out why Springhill Court is amongst the most popular destinations in our stunning city.
From life drawing to action-packed paintballing on canvas, Art it offers something to suit everyone. Children can join art and craft classes on weekends, art camps in summer, and they can take advantage of the popular “drop in “ service where parents can leave children in a safe, creative environment to get crafty for an hour or two, painting, decorating and decopatching paper macce' pieces, glassware, pottery, T-Shirts and jewellery, while parents tour Kilkenny or shop.
Art It is for all ages, so parents can have great fun here too spending family time together!
Castlecomer Discovery Park offers an exciting range of activities around the estate including tree top walks, climbing walls, boating, adventure playgrounds, orienteering and most recently Ireland’s longest zip wire and high ropes challenge. At the hub of the site, there is the Irish Mining Museum, a purpose-built cafe, craft village, and spaces for educational activities.
Castlecomer Discovery Park comprises 80 acres of natural woodland and lakes. It opened to the public in 2007 to commemorate the coal-mining heritage following the closure of the local mines in 1969. It aims to develop rural tourism, generate local employment and regenerate the town.
