County Kilkenny Things to Do

  St Canice Cathedral
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Most Viewed Things to Do in County Kilkenny

1.

Kilkenny Castle   Kilkenny

Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny

 27 Reviews  Kilkenny Castle - home to an ancient aristocratic Irish-Norman family who were Butlers of Ormond. THE thing to see in Kilkenny. The grounds are lovely to stroll around in too. We did the tour and it... 

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2.

St Canice Cathedral   Kilkenny

St Canice Cathedral, Kilkenny

 16 Reviews  St. Canice's Cathedral - the second longest in Ireland - was erected in the 13th century. The cathedral features an amazing tower that offers impressive views of the city (see my separate tip of the... 

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3.

Kyteler's Inn   Kilkenny

Kyteler's Inn, Kilkenny

 7 Reviews  There sure are many pubs in this town to choose from. I loved the old building that was home to Kyteler's Inn which was founded in 1324 by dame Alice le Kyteler. The lady was born here in Kilkenny in... 

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4.

Kilkenny Design Centre   Kilkenny

Kilkenny Design Centre, Kilkenny

 4 Reviews  This was where we ate lunch. I looked at the goods displayed but didn't buy anything. They have a website where you can buy on-line. There were buildings around a courtyard which was once the stables... 

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5.

St. Mary's Cathedral   Kilkenny

St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny

 3 Reviews  St. Mary's Church is a beautiful old church and graveyard, right in the center of town. I recommend you stroll over to explore it. I didn't go inside. I was feeling shy about doing that, since the... 

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6.

Kilkenny Courthouse   Kilkenny

Kilkenny Courthouse, Kilkenny

 2 Reviews  This is also known as Grace's Castle. The present building is on the site of an ancient castle built around 1210. This had been replaced by 1566 by an Anglo-Irish Town House. the owner James Grace... 

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7.

Gap of Dunloe   Kilkenny

Gap of Dunloe, Kilkenny

 1 Review  See unspoilt countryside. A coach will take you from Killarney to Kate Kearney's cottage. From there you can either walk, cycle, ride a horse, or - if you're still suffering from too much of the... 

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8.

Magdalen Castle   Kilkenny

Magdalen Castle, Kilkenny

 1 Review  Located on Maudlin st, off John St. Not much to it really, it's just a ruin, but a well-preserved one. There is no info about it anywhere on the site, you cant go into it, but considering it's located... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

IN THE CITY OF KILKENNY....

by eden_teuling

walking here really gives you the feeling that nothing here has changed for decades on end....It is a quiet town and I wasn't so very much impressed by the town because of the fact that most buildings were built with GREY STONE......and I do so love colour!In the photograph: the St. CANICE'S CATHEDRAL with it strange, round, chimneylike tower!WEATHER PERMITTING the tower may be climbed!!This outstanding, mediaeval cathedral is a site of christian worship since the mid 6th Century. With its round tower (from the 9th Century) it forms the heart of Kilkenny, giving the city its name.NOTE: accessible for wheelchairs, there are toilets and a lovely well stocked gift shop (where I bought a nice calender for coming year!)Contact: Ms Naomi Harper (Tourist Officer) or Mr. George Bell (Sexton)tel. 056 64971 email: srcanicecathedral@eircom.netHow wonderful the DOM in SPEYER, Germany, so sweet and...

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AND A CASTLE NEEDS A GARDEN......

by eden_teuling

and here it is: the CASTLE'S ROSEGARDEN, seen from above........Here we can really see how extremely green IRELAND is......yes, we all think that neighbours grass is always greener but IRELAND'S greeness beats everything, thanks TO THE ABUNDANT RAINFALL......In the background the SILHOUETTE of the famous ST. CANICE CATHEDRAL and other important buildings of KILKENNY CITY!

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ROTHE HOUSE......

by eden_teuling

This is a TUDOR MERCHANT'S HOUSE in the centre of KILKENNY CITY in Parliament street to be more specific!It is now the property of the Kilkenny ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY and it is a UNIQUE survival of a late 16th Century town house in IRELAND.The substantional stone house was built by JOHN ROTHE FITZ-piers, a prosperous merchant.In fact the building consists of 3 houses, connected with courtyards.But as so often, things went wrong: the Rothes were forced to leave, the house declined during the 18th & 19th Century and it was a roofles ruin in the late 19th Century!An active programme of restoration has taken place since the Kilkenny Arch. Society purchased the nearly-derelict property in 1962.There is now also a most wonderful COSTUME COLLECTION and so much more that makes a visit so very worthwhile....

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BLACK ABBEY CATHEDRAL....

by eden_teuling

This Black Abbey ( as well as the St. Francis' Abbey & St. John's Priory) date back to mediaeval times.The grandeur of the Abbey of the Most Holy Trinity, set in the heart of the ancient Kingdom of OSSORY, makes it one of the most revered churches in IRELAND.Adorned by stained glass windows, pre-reformation statues and exemplary architecture, the hallowed ABBEY is one of the oldest functioning catholic churches in the country.During its 700 year life span, it has withstood the difficulties of time and numerous crises to stay intact as a sanctuary of PRAYER, HOPE, REPENTENCE & RESOLVE.....

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THE FLOWSTONE WALL.....

by eden_teuling

There are some areas in IRELAND where caves are most abundant such as: the BURREN of Co. Clare, the MARBLE ARCH area of Co. Fermanagh and the uplands or Cos. Leitrim & Sligo.All these areas, and Dunmore, are formed of Carboniferous limestone, laid down over 300 millions of years.Part of the interest of Dunmore Cave stems from the fact that it is the only cave of significance known in SOUTH EAST Ireland and its nearest rival in size is the MITCHELSTOWN CAVE in Co. Tipperary (SEE MY TIPPERARY PAGE......) some 50 miles away!The largest Irish cave so far discovered, POLLNAGOLLUM, Co. Clare is over 7 miles long and the deepest is over 150 metres below the surface.By contrast, Dunmore Cave contains less than a quarter of a mile of passages and its deepest point is only 50 metres below the entrance.Yet, despite its modest size, the BEAUTY of its formations and its scientific and historical...

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DUNMORE CAVE, MARKET CROSS....

by eden_teuling

This CAVE, with its imposing entrance, has been known of centuries but it is only comparatively recently that it has been fully explored and attempts have been made to unravel its history.Until the 17th Century caves were regarded with dread and awe as being entrances to HELL, and to this day caves are still objects of mystery and fear for many people.....From the 18th Century onwards a number of visitors, including scientists and historians, have written about this particular cave....DUNMORE CAVE is, since 1940, in the care of the Commissioners of Public Works as a NATIONAL MONUMENT because of its historic interest.Research on geological and historical aspects of the cave has been pursued making it one of the best documented cave sites in EUROPE.The CAVE has a very nice VISITORS CENTRE and a SITE MUSEUM and the cave surroundings have been landscaped in a lovely way!There are stairs, and...

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ONGOING EXHIBITIONS IN THE BUTLER GALLERY....

by eden_teuling

Kilkenny Design Centre is a wonderful place to buy gifts and souvenirs of HIGH QUALITY, it is amazing that practically all GIFT & CRAFT SHOPS only sell EXQUISITE QUALITY ITEMS......not cheap, but perfect and very worthwhile the money: GOOD VALUE...Jewelers, woodworkers, potters and craftsmen of great skill are also to be found burrowed down many a side street, a narrow alley or a slip-way!The ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL has bequeathed a terrific legacy, perhaps best exemplified by the ongoing exhibitions in the BUTLER GALLERY.BTW The Watergate Theatre on Parliament Street regularly hosts plays that go on to grace the stages of DUBLIN.....that's what I mean.............

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Cat Laughs

by paddyk7

On the June Bank Holiday Weekend everybody with a few hours to spare heads to Kilkenny City, to see some of the world's top comedians. Catch an early show, and stay out to sample the nightlife (warning: Matt the Miller's was absolutely boiling the night I was there after a gig, literally 8 billion degrees (maybe an exaggeration), and this is a common occurrence there). The best thing to do is to start in the River Court Hotel, in the Riverview Bar, then on to your gig, and then to Matt's (cos you need a ticket nearly everywhere else).

St Mary's Church Gowran

by barryg23

If you decide to visit Graiguenamanagh (see earlier tip) you’ll pass through the small village of Gowran along the way. Keep an eye out for the impressive St Mary’s Church, which dates from the 13th Century on the site of a monastery. Like many of Kilkenny’s best known sites the church is run by the Office of Public Works.

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Dunmore Caves

by barryg23

The Dunmore Caves are located 10 km north of Kilkenny City on the Castlecomer Road. In these caves are some fine examples of stalactites and stalagmites as well as the largest cave column in Ireland, the Market Cross (which looks rather like a pint of beer with a hand wrapped around it). The Office of Public Works looks after the caves and there is a visitor centre, where you can learn about the history of the caves and see some of the items excavated, as well as regular tours down into the caves. Aside from the interesting rock formations, the caves are best known as the site of a Viking massacre in the 10th century. It’s known that two ring forts in Dunmore were attacked by the Vikings and for many years it was believed the women and children had hid in the caves. Viking coins were found in the caves during an excavation in 1973 dating from the same period while the same excavation...

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Fun things to do in County Kilkenny

Top 3 Hotels in County Kilkenny

Lyrath Estate Hotel, Spa & Convention Centre Kilkenny  Kilkenny

 1 Review and 520 Opinions  Very pleasant and would recommend.However be warned that the hotel still needs a little time to iron... 

 Hotels in Kilkenny

Ballyduff House  Thomastown

 55 Opinions

 Hotels in Thomastown

Premier Newpark Hotel Dublin  Kilkenny

 1 Review and 247 Opinions  I've never stayed in the Newpark but, as it's close to home, I've often been in for dinner and... 

 Hotels in Kilkenny

45 Hotels in County Kilkenny
 
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Reviews and photos of County Kilkenny attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for County Kilkenny sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in County Kilkenny
  1. Kilkenny Things to Do
  2. Thomastown Things to Do
  3. Inistioge Things to Do
  4. Fiddown Things to Do
  5. Graiguenamanagh Things to Do

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  I've been searching travel options from Ennis to Kilkenny, and keep coming up short. Does anyone have a recommendation on car,... 

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A: www.buseireann.ie will provide you with bus timetables. Use the journey planner on http://194.106.151.94/jplan/bin/ You can go by bus, with a change in Limerick... 

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