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Every dog has its day and they’ll have a grr-eat day in Kilkenny with tons to do with their favourite human! Bring your furry friend on a staycation, grab a puppacino and run wild in some of Kilkenny’s beautiful parks. Kilkenny is your newfound hound heaven!
Restricted Breeds to follow the Irish Statute Book Guidelines. You can find out more on restricted breeds here
Sharing food with fido? We have tons of dog-friendly eateries in the Medieval City, to make sure that every pooch and person enjoys their trip. Refuel, relax and fill up the doggy bowl before hitting the city for a fun-filled day of activities.
How much is that doggy in the window? Pups can watch the world go by from the comfort of a dedicated doggy space in Arán’s bistro. Dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome but they must be kept on a lead due to an open kitchen setup.
Head to Cakeface Patisserie for a doggy dinner. With a selection of dog-friendly menu items like sausage and chicken bites, there’s a treat for everybody! Both the indoor and outdoor sections of the café are dog-friendly to make sure that everybody is welcome to hang out!
Tuck into dinner at the award-winning Statham’s in their covered courtyard. Unwind in cosy seats and savour their scrumptious dishes. Bar snacks, small plates and full dinners can be accommodated in the courtyard. When booking, please let the team know how many furry friends you will be bringing with you!
Grab a wake-up puppacino (lactose free) to start your pups day on the right foot! Café La Coco is a quirky café in the heart of Kilkenny City with a delicious menu with seasonal Irish ingredients. They welcome all dogs, great and small. Water bowls are provided to refresh your furry friends while the team sneak treats to the goodest boys and girls!
Relax in the stunning gardens hidden behind Bridie’s store on John St. Discover a tranquil world where you can lounge out in the sun with a coffee and cake with your pupper at your feet. Or choose to settle down for a drink in the cosy speakeasy and have a chat with the regulars. Always remember to keep animals on a lead for everyone’s safety!
Kick back in the 4* hotel with your pup by your side with The Hoban Hotel Kilkenny’s new dog-friendly stay package. The hotel welcomes well-behaved dogs (over 1 year), the heated terrace is the ideal place to settle down and dine with your loved ones after a busy day of strolling around the city.
The perfect holidays are the ones where you can bring all the family together- multi-generational getaways and everybody’s beloved pets in one place to enjoy the great outdoors. Croan Cottages invites you to bring your doggy along and enjoy your staycation in Kilkenny. House-trained pups are invited to stay in the pet-friendly self-catering cottages but must be kept on a lead whilst on the grounds – for the safety of the farm animals!
Escape to the great outdoors and set up camp at Nore Valley Park.There’s so much to do in the heart of the Kilkenny countryside with a riverwalk through the campsite, farm and woodland, children’s play area, sandpit with diggers or head along the 12km Nore Valley Walk. Pets are welcome in the campground but not permitted in the rental accommodation and they must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Announced in June 2025, Butler House is delighted to welcome doggies to their garden-access room, The Botanical. Enjoy a relaxing retreat with your furry friend, where they can cuddle up and be pampered with complimentary goodies from the Butler House team- including welcome treats, a toy on arrival & a cosy base for your dog’s own bed! This bespoke experience is available by direct booking only. Contact Here
Drawing visitors from all corners of Ireland, Mountain View Markets are a must-do when you come to Kilkenny. The sustainable marketplace is a heaven of artisanal food producers, talented crafters and welcomes all pooches to the venue. Dogs must be on a lead or carried at all times as the markets are very busy and can be overwhelming for little pups!
Choose your own adventure along one of Castlecomer Discovery Park’s 4 trails across the 80 acres of woodland. The woodland and orienteering trails range from 2.6km-10km in length, bring your sturdy shoes, doggy poop bags and lots of water to keep up the stamina! Respect other walkers by keeping your dog close to you and on a lead as well as keeping the area free from dog fouling.
Every dog has its day and what better way to spend it than at Woodstock Gardens! A favourite of dog walkers in the tranquil village of Inistioge. With three loop walks and a sprawling green area, Woodstock Gardens is a treasure trove for exploring the gorgeous gardens, the vast woodlands and the stunning waterfall. Dogs must be kept on a lead for the safety of all patrons of the gardens.
Kilkenny Countryside Park
Hot diggity dog! Head to Kilkenny Countryside Park, where you’ll find Kilkenny’s first dedicated dog park, located just 5km from the city centre and tucker them out before hopping in the car home. With three themed trails with a range of lengths from a 1.3km loop to 3k, hammocks for lounging and 2 ball walls, there’s fun to be had for all of the family.
