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Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 107 Opinions
Smithsland South, Springhill, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland
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of people enjoy staying here
107 Opinions
St Canice Cathedral
Jerpoint Abbey
Kilkenny Castle
Section Of Castle Gardens
We are heading to Ireland & I have heard of people having a traditional irish dinner with a host family (not accommodations), just dinner to experience the culture.
Has anyone done this & where might I find a host family for a dinner?
Thank you!
Well I won't say that such a thing is not possible, but it's a new concept to me(unless, of course, it's someone you already know that invites you over). I have been fortunate to travel to Ireland fairly often and have yet to ever hear of this. If it's just the meal you're looking for, most restaurants and many pubs will offer a "Sunday Roast", especially on weekends. The family meal in my experience is not a drawn out affair that lasts several hours with various traditions, toasts, etc., like some countries. We would pretty much sit down and eat, then move on to the sitting room, pub, or whatever. Sorry if this isn't the answer you were looking for.
I don't think any Irish folk on the forum answered this, as it doesn't sound like a very believable query! :-)
I once heard about this sort of thing here on VT - but I think it must have been an advert for it soon disappeared.
However some people feel that staying in a private home for dinner B&B is a good way to encounter local people. You could consider that as an option - but it will of course be as a Paying Guest.
Here's a website to get you started on planning a visit to Kilkenny but if you arrive unprepared you can also stop by the tourist information office in the old Shee Alms House, on Rose Inn Street.
A little history of the building, the Shee alms house was founded by the wealthy Shee family in 1582, it could accomodate up to 12 poor people. It was used until 1830 as an alms houses and is one of the few remaining alms houses in Ireland
My girlfriend, Ruth, came to visit over the Christmas holidays in 2002 and I had a great time showing her aorund my hometown. It rained every day and even snowed at one point but we still got to see many things.
It will rain anytime of day, anytime of year so be prepared. In general Kilkenny gets the best of the Summer weather and the worst in the winter. I can remember only one really hot summer growing up - back in '95.
The Black Abbey (yet another church!) is in a quiet area of town. The car-park on the right was built for the visit of President Hillary back in the 80s. They demolished a block of old town houses for that auld fellow!
Great night had by all Ratio men to women was very high
A bit of a cattle mart but met some lovely people at the end of the night (boys of course) if you are with a group of people you will have a funanyway and Killkenny is nice and compact no hassle etc etc
I'll be down again. casual
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Q: HOW DO I FIND A DINNER HOST FAMILY IN KILKENNY? "We are heading to Ireland & I have heard of people having a traditional irish dinner with a host family (not accommodations), just..."
A: "Well I won't say that such a thing is not possible, but it's a new concept to me(unless, of course, it's someone you already know that invites you over). I have been..."
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Address: Smithsland South, Springhill, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland
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