Mia Tobin is an experienced national tour guide since 2011 and owner of Brewery Hops for 12 years, running tours all over Ireland. She is an expert in Irish tourism and has launched a new private tour offering in County Kilkenny. It celebrates all things local from crafted food and drink produce to local craftspeople, heritage sites and river-based activities.

Kayak & SUP tours and paddling on river Nore, Kilkenny.

Take an easy paddle upriver with us in the peace and tranquility of the river Nore where you will learn some of Kilkenny’s rich history and wildlife. Pass old sites including former Kilkenny College, Kilkenny Castle, St Johns Bridge, The Carnegie Library, Former Smithwick’s Brewery with a view of St Canice’s Cathedral. Learn about the use of water power for Kilkenny industry and float down leisurely taking in Kilkenny from the river.

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny: Discover the Story Behind Ireland’s Oldest Ale

Located in the heart of Kilkenny City, less than a 10-minute stroll from the iconic Kilkenny Castle and part of Kilkenny's famous Medieval Mile, Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny is a multi-sensory journey that brings to life over 300 years of brewing tradition. Just 90 minutes from Dublin, this is a must-visit destination for history and ale lovers alike.

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Smithwick’s, where the art of brewing was first practiced on this site by 13th-century Franciscan monks, and later perfected by John Smithwick in 1710. While Smithwick’s is no longer brewed here, the passion and craftsmanship live on through this unforgettable experience.

Standard Smithwick’s Tour

Join our local, passionate guides as they reveal the secrets behind Ireland’s most popular ale. Explore how centuries of brewing innovation have shaped Smithwick’s into the beloved brand it is today. From milling the malt and stirring the mash to smelling the hops, this hands-on tour allows you to experience the brewing process up close, just as it was done in the past.

At the end of your tour, relax with a pint of Smithwick’s included in your ticket (18+).

Want to explore more? Upgrade your experience to enjoy a tasting paddle featuring Smithwick’s Red Ale, Pale Ale, and Kilkenny beer — you might just discover a new favourite!

Premium Masters of Ale Tour

For the ultimate ale experience, step into our Masters of Ale tour. Dive deeper into the evolution of ale and learn how the Smithwick family helped shape this Irish tradition. This guided, sensorial masterclass isolates the senses as you explore the raw ingredients of various ale styles. Finish the tour with an expert-led tutorial on how to pour a pint of Smithwick’s.

• Guided Sensory Tour
• Welcome Refreshment
• Tasting Masterclass of Four Ales
• Pint Pouring Tutorial
• Engraved Glass Gift Memento
• Over 18s Only

Sensory-Friendly Visits

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny is proud to partner with Ireland’s National Autism Charity, AsIAm, to offer sensory-friendly tours. These designated low-sensory hours cater to autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals, offering noise and light reductions for a more comfortable experience. Sensory kits, visual guides, and sensory maps are available year-round, and trained staff ensure a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors are also entitled to one complimentary carer ticket, if required.

Private Events and Venue Hire

Looking for a unique venue? Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny offers indoor and outdoor spaces for exclusive hire, perfect for any occasion:

Smithwick’s Bar (Indoor Space): 65 (seated) - 100 (standing) guests

Barrel Yard (Outdoor Space): 65 (seated) - 150 (standing) guests

Gala Dining: Catering for 60-70 guests

With a minimum group size of 30, you can host your next event surrounded by centuries of brewing history.

Enjoy a light-hearted evening of songs & stories from Irish folklore by the talented Ollie Grace.

Ollie is a native of County Kilkenny with a deep passion for music and folklore. He has extensive experience performing shows on his own and with others across the world. He is a registered Irish National Tour Guide with more than 20 years experience working in tourism and heritage. Ollie's previous show ran for over 14 years in the Brazen Head Pub in Dublin and he has been consistently rated on Trip Advisor as one of the top evening entertainments in Dublin.

Explore:

• Our earliest customs and beliefs from our Celtic past
• The world of the imagination, the spiritual, the mysterious, the unseen and including of course the world of The Irish Fairies
• How our people lived their daily lives, the houses they lived in and the crucial importance of the potato to their survival
• Our songs and story-telling which still have such joy, meaning and importance for us
• The lightness and laughter that shaped us as a people and helped us to survive and thrive down through many difficult centuries

Join Ollie for an insightful tour into Ireland's past.

Hydrobike Rental

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. 

Life Jacket included in cost. 

Quick Details: 

Duration: 1 hour
Availability: Daily

Adult 18+
€25

Child up to 17 years
€15

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.

For more information, see BoatTrips.ie

Ormonde Language Tours offers walking tours of Kilkenny in English, French and German. Each kilkenny walking tour is conducted in one language by John, a history loving native of Kilkenny. John is studying modern languages with the Open University and he has also completed the National Tour Guide training course. John will show you the best of Kilkenny city and you will be amazed by our fascinating history. You can book a tour online and if you request a tour in your language at a different time, just ask.

Kilkenny has many fabulous sights to see. Old ecclesiastical monuments such as St. Canice’s Cathedral, St. Francis and the Black Abbey. Medieval buildings such as Shee Alms house, Kytler’s Inn and Rothe House. Our most well-known building though is Kilkenny Castle, originally built in the 12th century, much of the current building comes from this period and is mixed with a 19th century remodelling. The river Nore flows through the city centre and is crossed by five bridges in the city. After you have finished your walking tour, take a stroll through the castle park. Kilkenny has a vibrant nightlife and also some of the best restaurants in Ireland and boasts having one of Ireland’s 16 Michelin star restaurants. We have plenty of superb casual eateries as well. Kilkenny has a very creative craft scene and many studios can be visited.

Walk through Ireland’s most beautiful city with Ormonde Language Tours and admire the fantastic scenery. Stroll along the river Nore and appreciate the view of the Blackstairs mountains in the distance. Visit Kilkenny’s architectural heritage dating back to the 9th century. Learn about the many important people native to Kilkenny with your guide who is Kilkenny native and speaks French and German. If you are short on time, a walking tour with Ormonde Language Tours is the ideal way to get to know Kilkenny. 

TOUR MEETING POINT

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.

The wonderful, welcoming Museum Guides and Assistants cannot wait to help you safely experience the Medieval Mile Museum, and tell you their wonderful stories…

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.

Available for Exclusive Hire

-Indoor Event Space : 150 guests 

-Outdoor Event Space : 50 guests 

-Minimum Group Numbers: 10 guests

-Gala Dining: 80 guest capacity for seated banquet on mix of long and round tables.

-Stage area for presentations and entertainment.

-We can recommend suppliers for outside catering and provision of av facilities and tech support.  

At Hurling Tours Ireland, we provide a unique cultural Irish experience for visitors. Established in the home of hurling, Kilkenny, we give guests an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in Irish culture, by attempting our most ancient sport, hurling. Hurling is a game steeped in tradition and history, played with a passion and intensity that is unmatched in any other sport.

You would be mad to visit Ireland and not try our unique and national sport. You will discover the history of hurling and how in 2023 it is still the fastest field game in the world. This is all done inside  a Hurling team's dressing room in Kilkenny City, giving you that up-close, intense matchday 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 always be remembered long into the future. 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, it is never too late to try new things and why not the sport that is at the heart of Irish culture and community.

Our other location is halfway between Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel in the picturesque village of Freshford. Here customers will receive an exciting and culturally immersive introduction to our native sport before making their way to the local hurling field next door. Check us out on TripAdvisor to see reviews from past visitors.

Visit Kilkenny Union Workhouse, adjacent to Kilkenny Train Station, now beautifully restored as MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre to take this FREE audio visual self-led tour.

Hear the heartbreaking and poignant human stories recorded in local newspaper articles and minute books from the Board of Guardians, a true reflection of the Kilkenny Famine Experience from the perspective of the Workhouse inmates and staff.

Highbank Organic Farm in Co. Kilkenny was a 17th century farmyard and the present farm house was built by the Calder-Potts family in the 19th Century. The first apple orchards were planted by the Rod and Julie Calder-Potts in 1969. 

Highbank Orchards are a fully organic farm, they  have used no pesticides or chemicals on the land for over 30 years. 

Highbank is home to the multi-award-winning Orchard Syrup and Treacle, both perfect additions to your sweet and savoury recipes. They also produce several delicious Apple juices, including their acclaimed non alcoholic Drivers Cider as well as Highbank Proper Cider and Medieval Cider, matured on wild yeasts with no added sulphites.

Take a trip to the Orchard and take part in their Self-Guided Red Gates tour, where you can follow a virtual Rod around their organic farm and learn about the rich history of the area. Don't forget to taste test some of their yummy apple products!

Book your self-guided tour

When you visit Medieval Kilkenny your Kilkenny experience should be with a local qualified, experienced and knowledgeable guide and historian and Pat Tynan’s Medieval Walking Tour will give that real Kilkenny experience in a city that has become a Medieval Wonderland!!

Daily Kilkenny Medieval Mile Walking Tours, Private Walking Tours can be arranged at a time to suit clients and group Medieval Walking Tours all year.

                                       All Walking Tours to be pre booked. Bookings can be made on www.                                                       kilkennywalkingtours.ie or e-mail Pat at pat@kilkennywalkingtours.ie 

                                       Monday to Sat 11am and 2pm.  Sunday tours book in advance. 

Shenanigans - The Kilkenny City Walk is the fun way to experience historic Kilkenny City, the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Ancient East. Blending comedy, magic, history, whimsical fun and plenty of Shenanigans our guides will take you on a jolly jaunt tracing Kilkenny City’s fascinating Medieval Mile, regaling you with unique anecdotes, fun facts and a good dollop of irreverent humour, craíc and mischief. Not just a guided tour ... a MIS-guided tour!

The fun, magical, historical & hysterical way to experience Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile.

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.

OPENING HOURS

Tuesday to Sunday
11am to 6pm

*Last entry at 5.15pm

Available for Exclusive Hire

-Indoor Event Space : 150-200 pax 

-Outdoor Event Space : 65-80 pax 

-Gala Dining: The Phelan Room or Great Hall can seat 60 pax, cafeteria style. 

Butler Gallery is one of Ireland's leading contemporary art galleries and museum's with a permanent collection. They are located in Kilkenny City Centre at the heart of Ireland's Ancient East. Offering a unique blend of art and history they aim to inspire you. Explore their significant collection of 20^th century Irish art, discover contemporary work by living artists, take part in family friendly art activities, and find out about a heritage spanning 800 years in their historic building and walled gardens.

Relax and enjoy breakfast, lunch or a delicious treat in the café, MUSE coffee + food. Butler Gallery is open six days per week (closed on Mondays except bank holidays).

FREE ENTRY. All are welcome. 

Join their mailing list here to receive all the latest Butler Gallery news, including event and exhibition updates.    

Kilkenny City Tours' tourist train was established in 2011, as a convenient way for visitors to see all the wonderful sights of Kilkenny city. Since its inception it has since grown to become one of the most sought after things to do in Kilkenny city. Rated as the number 1 Tour it has also been awarded the "Certificate of Excellence" by Tripadvisor.com, which is awarded based on consistently earning great reviews from travellers!

The Kilkenny City Tour is a wonderful way to see all the historical sites and points of interest in Kilkenny city. Departing from Kilkenny Castle you will be taken on a historical and fascinating tour with a full commentary of detailed insights, facts, and folklore of the medieval city.

Book your tickets today https://kilkennycitytours.com/

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.

This one of a kind ghost tour takes you through the medieval capital of Ireland. Kilkenny with its narrow cobbled lanes, remnants of its city walls and with its mystic charm, it should be no surprise that Kilkenny is bursting with tales of the paranormal. Its people have told stories for generations, handed down to become far more than hearsay. Kilkenny’s ghostly tales all have one very important thing in common they are all based around fact and arise from genuine historic tragedies.

Join us on a fun filled tour of Kilkenny's finest sights. Sit back, relax in comfort and let us bring you to many spectacular buildings and places that Kilkenny has to offer. Hear all about the sights on our fully narrated tour and sing along to many favourite traditional songs and music played onboard. With tight and demanding time schedules on your holiday this is the best way to get your bearings in a place that you haven't seen before.

Starting from Kilkenny Castle we will take you on a 30 minute tour through the streets of Kilkenny, along the way you'll see many historical sights including St. Canices Cathedral, St. Francis Abbey Brewery, The Old Court Houss and many, many more. Meander along the picturesque lanes and streets of Kilkenny and let us take you on a nostalgic journey reminiscent of the gone steam train. View route map here.

Pure Adventure is based in the heart of the Barrow Valley in the Picturesque Village of Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. Pure Adventure is a family run business that is built on a passion for the outdoors and for water sports and our mission is to share our passion with our visitors, giving you a great experience and memories that will last a lifetime.

Pure Adventure offers a range of Kayaking, Canoeing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Hill Walking activities to suit all ages and abilities. All equipment is supplied and all guides are fully qualified and highly experienced.

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.

Looking to get the family active in outdoor activities – then this is the perfect opportunity for you! Go with The Flow brings you adventurous Canoeing trips in Kilkenny. Our unique experience offers you the chance to explore the beautiful countryside of Kilkenny by taking you into beautiful, unspoilt and exciting waterways. Our charismatic instructors will guide you along exclusive trails and show you how to shoot weirs and ride the rapids. We will pass through dramatic landscapes, mysteries wooded valleys and old navigations once used by the Guinness barges to deliver Ireland’s favourite tipple. Bring a picnic, visit the playground of The Incredible Mr Kavanagh and take a swim in tranquil sheltered waters of our favourite remote pools.

We provide a unique sporting experience giving you an insight into the world's Oldest (3000 yrs) and fastest field game in the true Home Of Hurling Champions - Kilkenny. Join us for two Hours of Hurling fun in the Home of the Famous Kilkenny Cats.