Make a Break For It

For families who love an adrenaline filled day followed by a picnic, then Castlecomer Discovery Park is the ideal place. The 80-acre activity park features a wide range of exhilarating activities for all ages, from the fun and challenging tree-top walk high amongst the sycamore trees to archery and zip lines. For the younger children, there’s a playground, an elf and fairy village, a giant bouncing net and a Junior Woodland Adventure Course where children navigate a series of low-risk challenges, balancing and steering their way through the obstacles.

Visit: www.discoverypark.ie

For families looking for outdoor adventure, Kilkenny offers a range of kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle-boarding activities, taking you right into Kilkenny’s unspoiled countryside. Around every corner, you’re bound to come across a waterfall, a fallen tree, an old mill or the remains of a castle as you experience the thrill of the rapids.

Canoeing and kayaking trips take advantage of Kilkenny’s dramatic landscapes, mysterious wooded valleys and the old navigation systems that were once used by the historic Guinness barges. So, pack a picnic and take a half-day guided tour for a truly memorable experience.

Pure Adventure and Go with the Flow both offer a half-day guided tour. 

What better way to see the city while taking in some exercise than taking a guided cycling tour! Kilkenny Cycling Tours offer three guided cycling tours per day during the summer from customer’s hotels or a pre-arranged location in the city centre. The tour is approximately two hours and can be shortened or extended to suit all ages.

Bike and Hike involves cycling from Kilkenny City to scenic Bennettsbridge. The cycle is about 10km and takes approximately 45minutes.  Self- guided tours are also available.

Visit: www.kilkennycyclingtours.com

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.

Visit: www.shenaniganswalks.com

Cushendale Woollen Mills is one of the few remaining Irish woollen mills continuing to create quality authentic textiles from the fleece of Irish sheep.
Set on the millrace of the River Duiske, since the 1700s the Cushen family have continued to produce high quality Irish-made textile products at our mill in Graignamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. We are known for our unique colours and craftsmanship which enables us to produce a broad range of home furnishings, fashion accessories and knitting yarns in Irish Wool, Mohair and Lambswool.

Visit: www.cushendale.ie

Learn the art of glassblowing at Jerpoint Glass, an Irish handmade glass company and a true family business. Established in 1979 by Keith and Kathleen Leadbetter, together with their small team of glass blowers, they have built Jerpoint into an internationally recognised name.

Here you can learn all about their glass makers’ studio, the gallery shop and about a day and a day in the life of an Irish handmade glass company!  Visitors to the studio and shop are welcome to view the glassblowing free of charge during working hours.

Visit: www.jerpointglass.com

Step back in time, even centuries and experience Ireland’s Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny city. Let experienced and entertaining guides lead you through the museum revealing the secrets behind the most famous pieces on display. Learn how the High Crosses were made, what their engravings represent and the stories that they tell.

Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie

Explore the Kilkenny countryside with a visit to Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum, overlooking the River Nore Valley and the picturesque village of Inistioge. Features include a walled garden, rose garden, rockery garden, a recreated Turner Conservatory, a collection of rare and exotic trees in the arboretum and much more including many tranquil woodland walks.  A relaxing and beautiful environment in which to spend a day with a picnic!

Visit: www.woodstock.ie