Kilkenny, Ireland: travel guide
The Marble City — named for the distinctive dark limestone quarried here since medieval times — is one of Ireland's finest historic cities: compact enough to explore entirely on foot, yet rich enough to fill two full days. Kilkenny Castle, begun in 1195, dominates the River Nore. The Medieval Mile from the castle gates to St Canice's Cathedral passes the Medieval Mile Museum, the Dominican Black Abbey, and the Smithwick's Brewery. Kilkenny is Ireland's festival capital.
- Country
- Ireland
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Dublin
Top places to visit in Kilkenny
Kilkenny Castle
Fort · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · entry EUR 8
Ireland's most visited heritage site outside Dublin — a magnificent Norman fortress begun by William Marshal in 1195, extensively remodelled over six centuries, and presented to the Irish people by the Butler family in 1967 for the…
Kilkenny Medieval Mile
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
The Kilkenny Medieval Mile — the spectacular 1km walking trail through Ireland's medieval capital, connecting Kilkenny Castle, the Medieval Mile Museum, and St Canice's Cathedral.
Kilkenny Castle Yard
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
The Kilkenny Castle Yard — the spectacular historic courtyard with the famous Kilkenny Design Centre, the Castle Stables, the cafés, and the iconic Kilkenny atmosphere.
Kilkenny Castle Park
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
The Kilkenny Castle Park — the spectacular 50-acre Victorian gardens behind the castle, with the iconic Lake, the Rose Garden, and the heritage parkland.
Kilkenny Design Centre
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
The Kilkenny Design Centre — Ireland's spectacular crafts centre in the historic Kilkenny Castle stables, with the finest Irish design, craft workshops, and the iconic 1960s Scandinavian heritage.
St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower Kilkenny
Church · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry EUR 6
One of the finest medieval cathedrals in Ireland — completed 13th century on the site of the 6th-century monastic settlement of St Cainneach (patron of Kilkenny). The interior holds an extraordinary collection of carved medieval marble…
Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry EUR 14
Kilkenny's Smithwick's Brewery — established in 1710 by Richard Smithwick on the site of the 13th-century St Francis Abbey — is one of Ireland's oldest working brewery sites. The iconic red ale has been brewed continuously here for over…
Kilkenny Black Abbey
Monastery · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h
Kilkenny Black Abbey — the spectacular 1225 Dominican priory, with the iconic medieval Rosary Window, the historic Irish heritage, and the rich monastic traditions.
Kilkenny Rothe House
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h
Rothe House — Kilkenny's spectacular 1594-1610 Tudor merchant townhouse, the unique Irish three-building complex with the original kitchen, walled garden, and museum.
Kilkenny Jerpoint Glass
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
A day trip from Kilkenny to Jerpoint Glass Studio — the spectacular handmade Irish glass studio at Jerpoint, with live glass-blowing demonstrations and the famous Jerpoint Abbey nearby.
Kilkenny Dunmore Cave
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry EUR 5
A day trip from Kilkenny to Dunmore Cave — the spectacular limestone cave with the historic 928 AD Viking massacre, the iconic stalactites, and the rich archaeological heritage.
Kells Priory
Monastery · 4.8 rating · about 1 h
Ireland's most complete and impressive walled monastic town — a substantial Augustinian priory founded in 1193 by Geoffrey FitzRobert in the village of Kells, 15 km south of Kilkenny city. The priory is enclosed within a substantial…
Things to do
- Medieval Mile Walking Tour Kilkenny Cultural · 2 h · from EUR 12 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kilkenny Medieval Mile Complete Day Tour 8 h · from EUR 37
Where to stay in Kilkenny
- Medieval Mile & High Street about EUR 115 per night
Staying in the heart of the Medieval Mile — on or adjacent to High Street, Parliament Street or the Parade — puts Kilkenny Castle, the Black Abbey, St Canice's Cathedral and Smithwick's Brewery all within a 10-minute…
Hotels
- Mount Juliet Estate & Hotel 5-star · EUR 255 to EUR 900 per night
- Kilkenny River Court Hotel 4-star · EUR 110 to EUR 265 per night
- Kilkenny Tourist Hostel 2-star · EUR 16 to EUR 70 per night
Where to eat
- Rinuccini Restaurant Kilkenny Italian · about EUR 35 per person
- Zuni Restaurant Kilkenny Modern Irish, Contemporary · about EUR 48 per person
- Campagne Restaurant Kilkenny French, Modern Irish · about EUR 65 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.