For Fun
Nore Valley Park
Nore Valley Park are inviting visitors to now book a slot to visit this Bank Holiday weekend. Here, you will find everything from pet farms, archery, mini-golf, go-karts and tractor rides across the lush green lands of the farm. There is a packed timetable of events which includes interactions with animals like lambs, baby kids, chickens, ostriches and rabbits, some of which you will get the opportunity to bottle feed!
Set against the beautiful backdrop of this scenic valley, with acres of parkland and woodlands to explore, Nore Valley Park provides hours of amusement for the family. Walk the 3km nature trail or test your skills on their giant chess board!
Castlecomer Discovery Park
For families who love a day out filled with activities, then Castlecomer Discovery Park is the ideal place. The 80-acre park features a wide range of exciting 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. The café is also open serving delicious snacks and lunches.
Click here for more information on Castlecomer Discovery Park.
Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum
The stunning Woodstock Gardens are located in the south-east of Kilkenny just outside the picturesque village of Inistioge. The gardens, overlooking the River Nore Valley, offer visitors a wide variety of attractions and are a relaxing and beautiful environment in which to spend a day with a picnic! There are picnic tables around the gardens, a playground and an orienteering course for the more adventurous families.
Boattrips.ie
Bring out the nautical navigator in you this bank holiday weekend on the historic River Nore that flows through Kilkenny City. Tours with BoatTrips.ie run approximately every half hour each day throughout the summer. Learn of the often unspoken and local history that the river holds. Witness the wildlife that thrive in the urban environment and that have shared the waterways with man for thousands of years. The guides are friendly, entertaining and you’ll find the boat trips relaxing, informative and, most of all, memorable. You can even bring your canine companion on-board as the tours are dog-friendly! (Please inform the tour operator in advance if you plan to bring your furry friend with you).
Pure Adventure
Explore the Rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir by kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board with Pure Adventure. Based in the heart of the Barrow Valley in Graiguenamanagh, Pure Adventure offers you the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the rivers. Take a slow adventure and sail at a relaxing pace to take it all in. Perfect for families, groups of friends or solo adventures, it is a great experience for all!
Kilkenny Cycling Tours
Explore Kilkenny City by bike with Kilkenny Cycling Tours and visit all of the main tourist attractions, as well as some hidden treasures. Choose from a guided or self-guided tour and enjoy a fun way to discover the wonders of this medieval city on your visit to Kilkenny. The tours are given in a fun, casual and educational way, so it is suitable for all types of visitors and interests. For cautious cyclists, there is no need to worry about traffic as the river banks and cycle paths are used as well as the medieval laneways and back streets. Covering about 10km in total, this is a great orientation tour of the city of Kilkenny.
Hawkeye Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry with your very own private falconry experience! Located on the stunning Lyrath Estate, your visit to Hawkeye Falconry will be unforgettable. An experienced falconer will teach you everything you need to know while you get up close to the magnificent birds. You will be sure to get some amazing photo and video opportunities as you learn to call the hawk to land on your arm. It is a truly unique experience that will leave you awe-struck with the winged wonders!
Kiltorcan Raceway
Get your motor running and battle it out on track with your pals! Kiltorcan Raceway karting circuit operates a 1km super-smooth, all-weather, floodlit track and supplies everything visitors need for a fantastic driving experience. Karting at any level is challenging, exhilarating and safe. It is suitable for kids from 5 years of age and family sessions are available for younger visitors. Bring out your competitive side by challenging your friends for the quickest timed laps or test your endurance with the grand prix sessions.
For Culture
Jerpoint Abbey
An outstanding Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century, this church with its Romanesque detail dates from this period. In the transept chapels visitors can see a 13th to 16th-century tomb sculpture, the majestic tower and its cloister Included in the admission fee, is a free guided tour of the partially restored monastic ruins with its magnificently sculptured cloister arcade and exhibition centre is an exemplary experience of Ireland’s Ancient East.
Kells Priory
Pack a lunch and head 15km outside Kilkenny city, where visitors will find the Augustine priory of Kells situated alongside King’s River beside the village of Kells. Explore the priory’s most striking feature, a collection of medieval tower houses spaced at intervals along and within walls which enclose a site of just over 3 acres. It consists of a church, a chapel, prior’s residence or sacristy and a number of domestic buildings for visitors to explore.
Medieval Mile Museum
Start your Kilkenny journey of discovery at the Medieval Mile Museum and immerse yourself in 800 years of history. Learn how the High Crosses were made, what their engravings represent and the stories that they tell. The Medieval Mile Museum has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors through its doors, sharing Kilkenny’s stories with people from all over the world and have hosted evening events and weddings giving local and international visitors the chance to experience this amazing building and its treasures. Tours include a complimentary audio guide with the option of downloading the audio tour straight to your mobile device.
Click here for more information on the Medieval Mile Museum.
Butler Gallery
The site of Butler Gallery has a long and diverse history spanning over 800 years and it remains one of Kilkenny’s most iconic and historic locations today. It is a leading contemporary art gallery and museum where you can immerse yourself in exhibitions from talented artists . For some refreshments, Muse Coffee + Food located on the ground floor serves fresh seasonal and homemade produce to enjoy indoors or outside in the gardens. Butler Gallery is open six days a week and admission is free.
County Kilkenny is known as one of the top hotspots in Ireland for festivals and events, so there is plenty happening over the bank holiday. Check out our full events guide here to see what’s on.
All that exploring is bound to work up an appetite! Click here to see where to eat in Kilkenny. Looking for somewhere to stay? Take a look at the accommodation options across the county here.
Does a trip to Kilkenny sound like a plan for the long weekend? Round up the troops and visit Kilkenny this bank holiday and discover all of the fun there is to be had!
More to Explore in Kilkenny.
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