Getting Here
From Dublin Airport
When you arrive into Dublin Airport, head for the Zone 16 bus pickup where you will meet the JJ Kavanagh bus (Route 717), that will take you down to Kilkenny City with 2 stops at MacDonagh Junction & Pembroke Road. Route 717 has 10 services a day, 7 days a week.
Instead you might choose to treat yourself and live in the lap of luxury with private airport transfers with Kavanagh’s Executive Car Hire, with 24/7 service from all of Ireland’s airports – national and regional – arrive in style to Kilkenny.
From Cork Airport
From the terminal, find the Bus Éireann 226 service which will bring you to Kent train station in the city. From here, take a 10 minute walk to Andersons Quay and hop on the 600 Bachelors Walk with Dublin Coach. This coach service has two stops in Kilkenny city – Ormonde Road and MacDonagh Junction.
From Waterford City
The JJ Kavanagh 736 Route runs 14 services daily from SETU Waterford, with stops in Kilkenny City and Paulstown. Grab the train from Waterford Plunkett Station – this service to Dublin runs 10 times a day Monday – Saturday and 5 times a day on Sundays.
Once you arrive into the city, there are two city buses available, the KK1 or KK2 Town services. These buses run every 30 minutes from Monday – Saturday and between 30 – 60 minutes on Sundays. Find the route map here
By Bus
Hop on the 73 Bus Éireann bus route from Waterford to Athlone and discover a number of Kilkenny towns and villages along the way. Choose to stop in Ballyhale, Thomastown, Bennettsbridge, Paulstown or Kilkenny City and take the day to explore the Marble County. Stop for a coffee in Nicholas Mosse Pottery in Bennettsbridge, take a tour around the historic Shankill Castle in Paulstown or explore the winding streets of the Medieval city. View the timetable here
With Kilbride Coaches, take the coach from Kilkenny City to Graiguenamanagh for a peaceful day by the river. Discover how quality woollen fabrics are made with a tour of Cushendale Woollen Mills. Traverse the river without getting wet with Kilkenny Hydrobikes before grabbing a bite to eat in The Waterside Guesthouse. Wash the day off in the refreshing River Barrow after a tranquil sauna session with The Hot Box Sauna before jumping on the bus back into the city for a night on the town.
Launched as a pilot programme for Summer 2025, the new FREE Lingaun Loop bus service invites you to explore the Lingaun Valley in South Kilkenny. See the High Crosses of Kilkiernan, visit ancient burial sites, grab a coffee and scone in the Windgap Lakeside Tearooms before exploring lacing up your hiking boots to discover the wealth of trail and loop walks. Make sure to swing by Dizzy Goat Restaurant in Skough to refuel after an exciting day filled with history and heritage.
Wanting to catch a glimpse of North Kilkenny? Take Route 897 (Kilkenny to Athy) with the Carlow-Kilkenny Local Link and stop off at The Square in Castlecomer to check-in at the 4* Avalon House Hotel before changing into your comfy clothes to run wild in Castlecomer Discovery Park located a short 5-minute walk from the hotel. Soar through the skies on Ireland’s longest over-water zipline, trek through 80 acres of blooming brilliant woodland or search for the fairies in the Elf & Fairy Village.
By Train
With Iarnród Éireann, take the train from Dublin Heuston station to Kilkenny City, where you will arrive into MacDonagh Junction station, just a 5 minute walk from the hive of activity happening in the city centre. Stay on the train for a little bit longer and head for Thomastown and delve into the stunning countryside, where, after a short walk into the village you will discover Tābú Tapas, a vibrant tapas restaurant with delicious fusion dishes. Jump in an exclusive hotel transfer to the 5* Mount Juliet Estate for a round of golf of their Signature Jack Nicklaus course, sample the delights in the Michelin star restaurant, Lady Helen. Stroll around the 500 acre estate before traversing the road to Jerpoint Glass, where you can enjoy a session of master glassblowers creating wonderful works of art.
By Bike
Rent a bike from Kilkenny Cycling Tours, get those legs pumping and head out into the wilds of Kilkenny’s countryside. Phase 1 of the South East Greenway is now open to the public and the 6km stretch takes in south Kilkenny running alongside the River Barrow. There are also 4 Trail Kilkenny cycling routes to leisurely pedal along and take in the charming towns and historical sites dotted along the way. View the cycling routes here.
