Location: Kilkenny
Top Things to do in Kilkenny
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Kilkenny That You Shouldn't Miss
Kilkenny is over 400 years old, but it sure doesn’t show its age. Yes, it's an awe-inspiring throng of medieval cathedrals, castles, abbeys and other massive stone buildings, but Kilkenny loves to party. An endless stream of arts festivals celebrating theater, comedy, bluegrass and dance is constantly pumping the city with new life, toe-tapping energy and international flavor.
Restaurants in Kilkenny
1. Kilkenny Cycling Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 426 reviews
Guided Cycling Tours and Bike Hire Enjoy a fun and easy paced two hour Guided Cycling Tour with Kilkenny Cycling Tours visiting historical and cultural sites around Kilkenny includingKilkenny Castle, The Kilkenny Design Centre, Shee Alms House, The Tholsel, Medeival Mile Museum, Rothe House & Gardens, The Courthouse (Grace's Castle), St. Francis' Abbey, The Black Abbey and St. Canice's Cathedral and some hidden gems along Irelands Medieval Mile. We have bikes suitable for all ages and we use riverbank paths and backstreets to stay away from heavy traffic. Find out about Kilkenny's most famous characters like the Witch Dame Alice Kyteler and William Earl Marshal, the greatest Knight that ever lived. We also have a Bike 'N' Hike and a Cycling Treasure Hunt options. Please Note that it is important to phone or email us to reserve bikes or place on the tour. Our new address (meeting place) is at No.15 John Street just behind The Wine Centre.
2. Jerpoint Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 286 reviews
Welcome to Jerpoint Park, where we strive to immerse you in a unique experience of heritage and culture in a very special destination Thomastown in Kilkenny , south east of Ireland. Unearth the history of Jerpoint Park with a guided tour of the footprints of a deserted 12th century medieval town. When it was founded near a crossing point on the River Nore near the Cistercian Jerpoint Abbey. The site also contains the Tomb Effigy of St. Nicholas (Bishop of Myra) plus the Church of St. Nicholas. "One of Irelands's best examples of a deserted 12th century medieval town" a quote from The Heritage Council of Ireland. Angling on the River Nore for wild salmon & wild brown trout from March - September ( rods & bait available for hire). Sheep dog demonstrations is a wonderful event to see. Tour times daily at 10.30am & 2.30pm from 1st April - 28th Ocbotber 2018.
Reviewed By S1355SKmarieg
A most intriguing and memorable historical tour in the company of Joe, the owner of Belmore, who was a welcoming and entertaining guide to the ancient church, graveyard and lost medieval town on his lands. He explained that the thriving town once boasted houses, inns, water mill, brewery, woollen mill, tannery, holy well, courthouse and even a tolled bridge across the river, but that its real claim to fame was its renown as a site of pilgrimage to the man we know as Santa Claus. The crusading knights who brought the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra to Jerpoint Park some 800 years ago can still be seen in the tomb effigies in the old graveyard which show the saint with his hands raised in prayer, flanked by two crusader heads. Walking the land, it is possible to see where the old streets ran towards the marketplace, with the ruined remains of houses giving a sense of the scale of this once prosperous town. Over time, religious upheavals, plague and war all took their toll, and Jerpoint Park fell into decline. Laying still and silent for hundreds of years, it is now being rediscovered, and recognised for the richness of its history and its yet-to-be-unfolded secrets. I will be following developments as historians and archaeologists study the site, and in the meantime, I promised Santa to be a good girl and spread the word about it!
3. Go With The Flow - River Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 259 reviews
Go with the Flow is a family business based in Ireland's South-East. We provide water based adventures like whitewater trips and nature /history tours. All of our incredible trails are guided by qualified, experienced and friendly instructors. If you are looking for that special highlight to your break and value a positive,interesting and fun adventure suitable for all ages and abilities call us now. Or check out our website See you on the river, Charlie
Reviewed By B5725PFpaulc
Booked white water rafting with Charlie and team for a friends stag do. Brilliant craic and Charlie and his team were total professionals who also can have a laugh. Can’t recommend enough. Would definitely return without hesitation
4. Jerpoint Glass Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By EuniceM418 - Dublin, Ireland
Thanks to all at jerpoint glass for opening up especially on Sunday for an amusing afternoon. We watched the master at work who produced a beautiful vase and then we got to blow some glass ourselves with various degrees of success! Good fun. Their shop shows the incredible talent the whole family have from wood turning to craft work. Really interesting place and fantastic to see such small Irish company doing so well.
5. Hawkeye School of Falconry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 132 reviews
At Hawkeye Falconry Ireland we offer our guest's the opportunity to fly one of our trained hawks. We offer these highly interactive falconry experiences from our base at Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny. Private Falconry Experience Your Private Falconry Experience will begin with an introduction to the Hawk you are about to fly. Our falconer will brief you on a 5000 year history of the ancient art of falconry. You will set off on a walk as your hawk follows you, watching your every move. Your falconer will teach you how to recall the hawk from the tree tops to your gloved hand and send him back to the trees again. During the walk, your falconer will work with you to ensure you get some amazing photo and video opportunities as you call the hawk several times to your gloved hand. To finish up your falconry experience you will be introduced to one or possibly two of our owls. As you fly the owl, your falconer will teach you about the species and their habitat.
6. Malzards Pub
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 608 reviews
Family Run Traditiional Irish Pub with Cosy Bar Great Pint and close to a number of Historical Points of Interest. Kells Priory , Jerpoint Abbey, Jerpoint Glass Kilree Tower Mount Juliet House.Accomadation nearby to be recommended is Lawcus Farm House ( See reviews on this site)
Reviewed By 70brooket
I Went to Malzards Pub with Trafalgar as part of group outing. Fred and his family were absolutely amazing and so welcoming and it was a night full of laughs and fun! Best pub, with great people and amazing live music by the local talent. Fred taught us the basics of hurling and even let us get behind the bar. This is a wonderful family run Pub that is upto the 5th generation of Fred’s family. Its off the beaten path if you want to get away from the busy main cities and an absolute must if you are in Ireland!! It will be a night that will always be remembered!
7. Jerpoint Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 605 reviews
Reviewed By PringleNI
this was an amazing place to see built probably 1000 yers ago, well worth a visit and to stop in the little village.
8. Kilfane Waterfall and Glen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By florahibernica
Extensive and varied garden - the waterfall was not running when we visited, yes it's powered not natural! But the rest of the garden was plenty without it, a romantic valley full of ferns with a river and fairytale thatched cottage, woodland paths, and more formal areas with borders, carefully placed sculptures, a carp pool, and lichen-hung fruit trees. It's historical, rather than the most spectacular hyper-maintained planting. Also, most of it is not kind to aged grandparents or kids too young to do a bunch of stairs on their own. The valley is steep and mossy, that's part of the charm.
9. Black Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
Reviewed By 734larryb - Prince George, Canada
This is a a bit of a wander off of High Street and it seemed like most tourists were happy to see St Mary's cathedral we didn't see many at the Abbey. This is a beautiful building and part of the with spectacular windows.
10. The Hole in the Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 410 reviews
Reviewed By carolwR6263YS - Harrisburg, United States
My husband and I took a day trip from Dublin that included a 2 1/2 h visit to Kilkenny. The absolute best thing about the trip is that we wandered into the Hole in the Wall Pub! You will see their sign at the street that tells you there is no wi-fi, advertises their Irish Coffee and directs you down the alley to the pub. Patrick the bar tender was so friendly and knowledgeable and his Irish coffee, topped with a heart, was so good, it makes me want to return to Ireland. This place fulfills the desire to interact with the bar tender and the "regulars" and gives the type of experience that you will treasure when you return home.
