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.
There is so much to do in Thomastown. Visit Jerpoint Park, Jerpoint Abbey, Kilfane Waterfall and Glen and Grennan Castle or Goatsbridge Trout Farm.
Visit Karen Morgan’s contemporary pottery shop and discover her elegant pieces which are individually hand thrown. You can’t leave Thomastown without paying a visit to Jerpoint Glass to learn about the craft of glass blowing. Drop by the 5-star Mount Juliet Estate for a well-deserved rest and refuel.
To top it all off, Fred Malzards famous Irish pub is just a short drive away.
Lady Helen is one of Ireland’s most unique dining experiences.
Serving outstanding modern Irish cuisine in a magnificent 260-year-old country manor, John Kelly’s menus champion the finest of Irish natural produce.
Guided by the seasons and bounty from the estate, each dish is a celebration of its ingredients, elegantly pared back to deliver extraordinary flavour.
Lady Helen’s impressive wine cellar offers access to the world’s finest wines, each carefully selected to complement John’s vibrant Irish cuisine. The exceptional collection includes more than 130 wines and champagnes, from small-batch organic vineyards to iconic Old World classics.
Lady Helen McCalmont’s parties at Mount Juliet Estate were legendary and her spirit of fun and generosity underpins everything we do. Awarded 1 Michelin star since 2013 and 4 AA rosettes, Lady Helen promises an unforgettable dining experience in Kilkenny. Take a seat in the historic Mount Juliet Estate dining room and discover wonderful service, dazzling wine and food that brings pure joy.
The elegant grandeur of a magnificent Georgian Manor House. The chic sophistication of Hunter’s Yard. Our two residences draw on centuries of local Irish history to weave a rich tapestry of vibrant stories and memorable moments for every guest who stays with us… All wrapped up in the very finest contemporary comforts, state-of-the-art facilities and breath-taking surroundings imaginable.
Whether it is our Jack Nicklaus signature-designed golf course that draws your eye, or our Michelin-starred restaurant, or the chance to soak up surroundings that have seduced and thrilled guests in countless years gone by: we’d love for you to add your own experiences to the Mount Juliet story. Become part of our history, today. Stay with us.
Experience
There is a legacy to the Mount Juliet experience that stretches far beyond the luxury of the bedrooms and the decadence of the dining options. Perhaps you feel the urge to thunder through open pastures and traipse across woodland trails on horseback. Maybe you want to feel the tug on your line and the splash from the River Nore as a salmon takes your bait. And have you ever felt the singular rush of an arrow flying forth from your bow or a falcon swooping down to land at your command?
We offer a unique range of activities on the estate, unparalleled in the way they combine deep-seated historical traditions with the best modern equipment and practices.
Dine
Just like the former Lady of the house after whom it is named, The Lady Helen restaurant is an iconic part of the Mount Juliet story and lives long in the memory of all who visit. The Michelin-starred restaurant has become a true destination for diners, who long to experience the way that Head Chef John Kelly takes locally sourced produce to soaring new heights with every dish. Against a stunning backdrop of rolling pastoral views, Kelly and his team offer a culinary experience that is conjured from that very land, with many of the dishes using ingredients from the Mount Juliet estate and local suppliers just a stone’s throw beyond its walls. Across varied tasting menus and a carefully composed table d’hote, our dedicated team combine influences from around the world with the most evocative of Irish traditions.
Our Story
Like all the best stories, Mount Juliet Estate is, at heart, a love story. Built on a ridge overlooking the River Nore by the first Earl of Carrick, it is named after his beloved wife, Lady Julianna Butler. In the centuries that followed, the estate experienced the fullness of Irish history, a magnificent icon of Kilkenny that changed with the world around it and the distinctive characters that occupied it, yes, but never lost the qualities that guests can still enjoy to this day.
The story of Mount Juliet is an ongoing one, in which our family of staff and all of our guests play a part.
Manor House
The Manor House is the beating heart of the estate and has been ever since the first Earl of Carrick and his wife Juliet first made it their home in 1750. Step through its pillared entranceway and you enter a place out of time: lovingly preserved for the present-day; intimately updated in the most faithful manner.
A sense of romance – of people and place and time turned into something truly special – touches every inch of the Manor House, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the 32 unique bedrooms. While many of them share their captivating views of the River Nore and the paddocks of the Ballylinch Stud, each one is individually designed and named after a famous figure connected with the area or estate.
Hunters Yard
Hunter’s Yard takes the ideals and attention to detail that have made the Manor House so special for so long, and channels them into an entirely new type of residence. The 93 rooms that make up Hunter’s Yard offer a haven-like retreat from the everyday for the whole family; a luxurious habitat for winding down from time spent exploring the estate or playing on the golf course.
Every room offers the most inviting of modern amenities and furnishings, all wrapped up in a light and airy ambience.
An internationally recognised name, a passionate family business of almost 30 years, and part of the world-class Kilkenny craft network, the Jerpoint Glass Studio in Thomastown is well worth a visit. Since 1979 the Master Craftsmen at Jerpoint Glass Studio have designed and created Irish handmade glass for your home. Drawing on 2000 years of glass blowing tradition, the skilled Glass makers individually create each piece in the Jerpoint collection. Jerpoint Glass with its distinctive style combines the beautiful and the functional to bring you the best in contemporary Irish Glass.
You can watch the team of incredibly skilled glass blowers exercise their craftsmanship on this fine art, get close to the action in the artisan studio, enjoy free demonstrations Monday through to Friday and learn about a day in the life of a Master glass blower before visiting the gallery shop to find a piece that’s unique and mesmerizing.
All products are proudly handmade in Kilkenny and the gallery also features other craft and art exhibitions throughout the year, making your visit a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
At Goatsbridge Fish Farm, trout is their passion. Their knowledge and experience farming rainbow trout has been passed down through three generations. Each catch comes daily from the crystal clear waters of The Little Arrigle River, giving their trout unique taste and texture. They love trout, and they know if you give it a try you will too! Goatsbridge Trout is available from their online shop, all major supermarkets in Ireland as well as specialist shops, or directly from their farm gate. Visitors are welcome to look around their trout farm at any time during opening hours.
Come and see Goatsbridge visitor center and shop, where you can sample and buy our products. The center is located beside the trout ponds, and you can organise single or group tours around the farm where you will learn all about Goatsbridge Trout Farm, it’s herritage and business history. Visit https://goatsbridgetrout.ie
The Truffle Fairy was set up in 2005 by award winning chef Mary Teehan. After years of cooking and travel experience Mary brings a uniquely fresh approach to chocolate truffle making.
Drawing on her experience and love of natural fresh ingredients, The Truffle Fairy stays true to taste and quality.
Truffle Fairy hand makes high quality chocolate truffles, fudge, bars, chocolate eggs and cakes.
Carefully chosen fine flavour couverture is paired with fresh spices and quality liquors to create some wonderfully unique and tasty chocolates.
We only use the highest quality, locally sourced and organic ingredients when available to make our products.
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
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.
Oldtown Farmhouse B&B
Oldtown, Stoneyford, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, R95 K535
Oldtown Farmhouse is a spacious and friendly Kilkenny Bed and Breakfast based on a family run farm close to Thomastown in the heart of County Kilkenny and is situated on an elevated site with scenic views of the surrounding countryside. The B&B is located 1.2km from Mount Juliet Golf Course and 1.9 km from Stoneyford village and 15 minute drive from Kilkenny City. Nearby attractions and adventure activities are just a stone's throw away including Kell's Priory, Jerpoint Abbey, Jerpoint Glass and Kiltorcan Raceway Karting just 5 minutes away.
Rooms
A spacious and friendly Fáilte Ireland approved bed and breakfast with a high standard of accommodation, where you are assured of a warm welcome by your hosts. Oldtown Farmhouse comprises of four spacious en suite bedrooms with king beds plus television, hair dryer, free WiFi and tea/coffee making facilities in all rooms. There is a lounge for guests to relax and unwind after a days touring.
Location
Situated on a family farm with an award winning propagation nursery which exports plants to 26 countries around the world as far away as America, Japan and also continental Europe and the home market. There is an ancient ring fort on the farmland dating back 1700 – 2000 years. Initial observations would suggest it was built and lived in by an ancient Gaelic Chieftain. For any guests who are interested they would be delighted to give a complimentary tour and we will also tell you the local history.
Oldtown Farmhouse is located just 15 minutes drive from the Medieval City of Kilkenny, 25 minutes from Waterford City, 1 hour from Rosslare and 5 minutes from Thomastown and Jerpoint Abbey. Jerpoint Abbey is regarded as one of the most famous Cistercian settlement in Ireland. Also in the area is Kells Priory, an extensive Augustinian settlement founded in 1193, one of the largest and most impressive Medieval monuments in Ireland and one of the largest and best preserved walled monastic sites in Europe and nearby is Kilree Tower and High Cross dated 800 AD. Located close-by is Jerpoint Park, the site of the lost town of Jerpoint and the grave of Saint Nicholas Bishop of Myra. In the area there is entertainment and food served in the local pubs. Oldtown Farmhouse is an ideal base for touring Ireland’s Ancient East.
Golfers Welcome!
Mount Juliet Golf Course is located just 1km away from Oldtown Farmhouse, the course has been host to the top players in the world. Oldtown Farmhouse is also located along the Kilkenny Studio Workshops Craft Trail. Some of Ireland’s finest studio workshops are clustered in the scenic valley of the River Nore, in the heart of County Kilkenny.
