Location: Thomastown
Top Things to do in Thomastown
Top 10 Things to do in Thomastown, Province of Leinster
Thomastown (Irish: Baile Mhic Andáin), historically known as Grennan, is a town in County Kilkenny in the province of Leinster in the south-east of Ireland. It is a lively market town along a stretch of the River Nore which is known for its salmon and trout, with a number of historical landmarks in the vicinity. Visitor attractions include Jerpoint Abbey, Kilfane Glen gardens, and Mount Juliet Golf Course.
Restaurants in Thomastown
1. Kilkenny Eco Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Kilkenny Eco Tours offers canoeing tours on an exceptionally picturesque 9km stretch of the River Nore between Thomastown and Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny.
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. 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.
4. 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.
5. Mount Juliet Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By apapamurphy - Killarney, Ireland
Had a fabulous two nights at Mount Juliet for the first time. The staff were attentive and unassuming, but always there when needed while following all current protocols. John gave us great advice on walks and we were regaled with history stories of the house from Des. The food in both Lady Helen and The Hound was excellent. We’ll definitely be back!
6. Kilfane Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By BrandonF141 - Murrieta, United States
Go to see the Cantwell Fada, an effigy of a knight from the 1300's. Said to be the top of his tomb, it now sets upright so you can really see just how big and lifelike it is. Worth the visit!
7. The Salmon Pool
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
8. Grennan Castle
9. Brennan Knives
At Brennan Knives you can see handmade knives being made at the forge. We make some of the finest knives in Ireland from hunting/outdoors knives to Kitchen Knives. The forge is at my home in my studio. I have knives available to purchase on site hand made completely by hand with Native Irish woods.
10. The Watergarden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
