Ireland's Medieval Mile in Kilkenny

Go back in time to Ireland's Medieval Mile

The Medieval Mile is a discovery trail running through the centre of Kilkenny city linking the 13th-century St Canice’s Cathedral and the Anglo-Norman castle with much more in between.

The Medieval Mile isn’t just focused on ancient history. Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s most cosmopolitan cities, with many blooming festivals, eateries and creative people resulting in an electric atmosphere.

Ireland's Medieval Mile in Kilkenny Inspiration

Smithwick’s Experience

22072022 Jb2 196

Visit Smithwick’s and Experience Ireland’s most popular ale.

Here in the heart of historic Kilkenny, we’re less than 90 minutes from Dublin. We’re less than a 10 minute stroll from the iconic Kilkenny Castle, and are very proud to be part of Kilkenny’s famous Medieval Mile.

Immerse yourself in the story of Smithwick’s, told as only a local knows how. Where 300 years of history combine with extraordinary brewing innovations, to create the Smithwick’s tour – an experience like no other.

Our experience is the perfect way to enjoy a pint of your favourite Smithwick’s Ale, right in the heart of Kilkenny. Why not take the opportunity to upgrade your ticket and taste our red ale, pale ale and Kilkenny beer? (You might even have a new favourite by the end of your tour.)

Nothing beats getting stuck in and experiencing some hands on experiences. As part of your tour, you’ll have the chance to mill the malt, stir the mash and smell the hops, just as you would in the brewing process.

Get ready to experience a tour with more than a few surprises along the way. Our local guides are waiting to introduce you to some very memorable characters, as you’re transported back in time.

 

Premium Tour – Masters of Ales

Join our Masters of Ale tour and learn about the evolution of ale and how the Smithwick’s family played a prominent role. With sensory touchpoints along the way, the tour includes sensorial masterclass where you’ll isolate the senses and break down the raw ingredients across different ale styles. Finish with a guided tutorial on how to pour the perfect pint of Smithwick’s!

- Guided Sensorial Tour
- Welcome Refreshment
- Tasting Masterclass of 4 Ales
- Pint Pouring Tutorial
- Engraved Glass Gift Memento
- Over 18s Only

 

Sensory-friendly Visits

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny has partnered with Ireland’s National Autism Charity, AsIAm, to offer sensory friendly hours and ensure that autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals can visit the Kilkenny city centre site with confidence. Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny will provide designated low-sensory tours. The first tour/early hours of selected sensory friendly days will include noise and light reduction. This will involve turning down music, dimming lighting and more. All three experiences will also offer one free carer ticket per customer, if required.

 

Sensory kits are available at reception, along with visual guides of the buildings and sensory maps year round. During the designated sensory friendly tours, additional signage will be placed around the buildings, marking high sensory areas. Staff have been trained by AsIAm.ie to better understand how to cater to customers with autism or neuro divergencies.

Medieval Mile Museum

Covid safety Charter Kilkenny

 

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.

Kilkenny Design Centre

Kilkenny Design Centre

Kilkenny Design Craft Centre offers an unrivalled selection of Irish handcrafted gifts. While it has many imitators, the Centre remains Ireland’s most prestigious source of Irish gifts of exceptional quality, all chosen with a discerning eye for quality, uniqueness and style.

The Centre’s unequalled supplier list, drawn from Ireland’s most eminent craftspeople and designers, gives visitors a uniquely special shopping experience, allowing them to purchase the best of Irish crafts and design under one roof. Visitors from outside of the EU can avail of highly attractive tax free shopping.

Kilkenny Castle

Covid safety Charter Kilkenny

 

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.

Kilkenny City Tours

Kilkenny Castle, College Park, Castle Road, Kilkenny, Ireland

Tel: 086 730 1500

kilkennycitytours@gmail.com

https://kilkennycitytours.com/

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/