Kilkenny Castle, Ireland

The castle was bought by the Butler family in 1391, and their descendents continued to live there until 1935. Maintaining the castle became such a huge expense, so most of the furnishings were sold at an auction. The city bought the castle in 1967 for the huge sum of 50 pounds (about $75 US).

I wasn't in the mood for another guided tour when I finally made it Kilkenny Castle, but it was so beautiful, I had to make an attempt.

I discovered a large park as part of the Castle gounds - okay, other people knew about it, I just didn't know until I saw it :) The park was lovely. Even though it was raining off and on that day, I enjoyed wandering the paths in and out of the woods.

The sheer enormity of the Castle was better appreciated from the grounds - the beauty was more apparent from a slight distance.

After the walk, I still didn't want a tour, and that is the only way into the castle - unless you go to one of the galleries or shows occuring in the building.

So, we listened to a choral group practice in one of the turrets, and wandered the modern art museum in the basement.

This was enough for me :) I was sort of castle and churched out that day ..... the walk and the museum was perfect!

This is the entrance to Kilkenny Castle. The tour here is well worth the time!
Tours take place every 20 mins during July and August and take approx 45-50 Mins.
Opening Times :
October to March Daily 10.30am to 5.00pm (Closed for lunch 12.45 to 2.00pm) April - May Daily - 10.30am to 5.00pm. June -August Daily 9.30am to 7.00pm. September Daily - 10am to 6.30pm.
Admission
Adult:€ 5 Senior/group(20+): €3.50 Student/child: €2 Family: €11

One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first building a wooden tower in the 12th century.
William the Earl Marshall built the first stone castle on the site in 1260. This was a square-shaped castle with towers at each corner; three of these original four towers survive to this day

I loved this city and the castle tour was great! I noticed others bored on the castle tour, but I thought it was great!
The city was very cute to walk around and take pictures of.
I ate at a place called Paris, Texas. Although I got really sick afterward, I have to say the food looked and tasted great and it was at a decent price (unlike most resaurants in Ireland).

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Kilkenny Castle dates back to the 12th century, but the interior that you can still see today is of 1830 including a great library, several bedrooms, a drawing-room and a lovely Long Gallery. There is also an Art gallery in the palace and a wide, public park around of the palace.
Kilkenny castle is open for visitors :
October - March: Daily 10.30 - 12.45am & 2.00 - 5.00pm
April - May: Daily 10.30am - 5.00pm
June - August: Daily 09.30am - 07.00pm
September: Daily 10.00am - 6.30pm
Closed on Good Friday and at Christmas
Last admission 1 hour before closing

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Absolutely the most beautiful castle I have seen in Ireland.
Of course you can take a tour around and inside the castle but you don't even have to do that to enjoy yourself and be amazed by the panorama's.

The tour was a nice time. It took about an hour, which is a bit long since the tour guide goes on and on about every Duke which has ever been in the castle. The rooms that you go through are truely gorgeous. The background information that they give you is very complete. You could tell that our tour guide truely loved the old castle and wanted you to love it as well.

Kilkenny Castle is quite impressive from the inside as well as the outside, and there is a very interesting guided tour through the castle. The highlight is the Long Gallery with its painted ceiling and collection of portraits of the Butler family who owned the castle for many years.

Originally a wooden structure built in 1172 on this strategic site overlooking the River Nore, William Marshall later erected a stone castle with four towers. The powerful Butler family purchased Kilkenny Castle in 1391. Butler descendents lived in this castle until 1935. Kilkenny city bought the castle in 1967 for the sum of 50 pounds ($75 US). Drum towers and solid walls give the castle a medieval feel, but many alterations have occurred over the centuries. The beautiful grounds boast a rose garden, fountain, park, and children can play in the courtyard.