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 Kilkenny

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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.

Medieval Mile Museum

 

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.  

St. Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower

In the shadow of Saints, follow in the footsteps and hear stories of hermits and knights at St. Canice's Cathedral, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval Cathedral, appearing to the visitor today very much as it did to our Norman & Gaelic ancestors 800 years ago. Touch what they touched. Walk where they walked. Climb to the top of the Round Tower which is a thousand years old and, on your visit, don’t miss The Medieval Effigy tombs, The Great East Window and The Kytler Grave Slab.

Built between 1202 and 1285, St Canice's has been preserved in its original style and form. Worship has taken place here for over 800 years. See the wonderful stained glass and the largest collection of ancient monuments. View Kilkenny and the surrounding area from the 9th century round tower (weather permitting) and see the seat of the bishop of Ossory dating back to 1120AD.

Facilities include:
Gift shop, toilets, wheelchair access. Information leaflets are available in 15 languages. Group and guided tours available by booking in advance.

 

Available for Exclusive Hire

-Event Capacity: Reception 400 pax , Concert 550 pax , Dinner 200 pax

-Minimum Group Members: 10 pax 

-Gala Dining Venue 

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/