Top Things to do in County Kilkenny
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in County Kilkenny, Province of Leinster
Discover the best top things to do in County Kilkenny, Ireland including Capuchin Friary, Shenanigans The Kilkenny City Walk, Duiske Abbey, Jerpoint Park, St. Mary's Collegiate Church, Hawkeye School of Falconry, Malzards Pub, Medieval Mile Museum, Ballykeefe Distillery, Kilkenny Castle.
Restaurants in County Kilkenny
1. Capuchin Friary
2. Shenanigans The Kilkenny City Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 102 reviews
90mins of a fun walking tour in Kilkenny Ireland, with local guides and mix of History, comedy, magic and plenty of Shenanigans. A wonderful way to explore the Medieval Mile and all its wonderful sites. Stories of Knights, Saints, Merchants, Norman’s and little green men???
3. Duiske Abbey
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By zimmys57 - Delavan, United States
This 800 year plus old restored Abbey was totally amazing to see. On the outside it is an impressive stone structure with adjoining cemetery that you cannot not miss as you drive into Graiguenamanagh. As you enter the inside even more spectacular is the high wooden ceiling, the beautiful stained glass windows, and the impressive pipe organ. We were so glad we explored off the beaten path and discovered this historical landmark.
4. 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!
5. St. Mary's Collegiate Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Deehitcher - Killarney, Ireland
Myself and my husband stopped by here yesterday only with the intention of viewing the inside of the church. We were greeted within moments once inside by Gerry, who offered us a 5 min or 5 week guided tour of the place (which is free). We could have easily gone with the 5 week version, so enthralling was his discourse on the history of Ireland through which he highlighted aspects which we'd never been aware of. We will definitely be returning hopefully later this summer to finish the rest of this discussion - although like his analogy of history as strands of thread which lead back to different outcomes, there may never be a definitive conclusion. We could happily have stayed and listened to the unravelling of each threaded story. Kilkenny is a beautiful county with many adorable villages to visit. Gowran is certainly among those and whether your curiosity is peaked by history or not, you will most definitely enjoy the story telling skills and deep knowledge which was provided by Gerry.
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. Medieval Mile Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 624 reviews
Located on the 13th century site of St Mary's cruciform church and graveyard. As the starting point of the 'Medieval Mile' trail, it brings to life Kilkenny's history as Ireland's premier medieval city. Displays of Kilkenny's civic treasures and replicas of some of the High Crosses of Ossory illustrate the local Gaelic monastic heritage and the ancient city's historic role in Ireland. There are a number of Guided tours throughout the day, or visitors can purchase an all-day self-guided tour pass. Audio Guides are available in 5 languages (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish). Child friendly versions are also available in each language. June 2018 saw the launch of the LEGO® mini figure Hunt, which sees 10 characters from Kilkenny's history hidden around the museum in the form of LEGO® mini figures! Kids are now introduced to the city's history through LEGO®.School tours, language schools and third level, please see our website for costings and booking information.Last entry 6.00
Reviewed By 946dylanr - New York City, United States
You must visit this museum while in Kilkenny. Our tour guide John was one of the best we’ve ever had in all our travels. Really enjoyed the 1 hour tour. The museum is an old church that they’ve done an absolutely wonderful job preserving and modernizing into an attraction that gives you a great appreciation for Kilkenny City and it’s long and incredible history.
9. Ballykeefe Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 214 reviews
Ballykeefe is situated in the heartland of Ireland, adjacent to its medieval capital, Kilkenny city. It is steeped in a historic heritage and tradition, holding the unique distinction of being the birthplace of Irish Whiskey. It is from our area that the first written account of distilling in Ireland comes in 1324. It was written in the Red Book of Ossory. The word “whiskey” is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic phrase, uisce beatha, meaning “water of life”. At Ballykeefe we are now bringing a truly special “water of life” from centuries past to a new generation for their pleasure and good health. The tour; You will see up close every step in the process and also enjoy and have explained the many different aromas and smells at each stage of the brewing and distilling process. Many secrets will be revealed by our award winning Master Distiller . How he makes the “cut” to create the ''Spirit of Kilkenny''
Reviewed By sindbadhill2018
Fantastic tour, top notch facility, fabulous people producing wonderful products! We went on numerous distillery tours during our Ireland vacation with Ballykeefe by far the best! Morgan, Jaime, Carmel, and Sarah were so down to earth and answered all of our questions. They were great with the younger kids they even enjoyed the tour too! If you travel to Ireland don’t miss Ballykeefe! I can’t wait til their products are available here in the States especially the gin! ????????????
10. Kilkenny Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,363 reviews
Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years. Today, Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle
Reviewed By M4474IDtomk
A must see in Kilkenny ....really great experience. Very friendly welcoming staff....who managed visiting during Covid really well. The castle itself is magnificent ...we were on a self guided tour and I would strongly recommend engaging with the staff in the rooms ...very knowledgeable and made our visit a truly memorable one.
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