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You are here > Visitors Information KILKENNY > DAY TRIPS
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Kilkenny City and County has something to offer for every visitor. We have reccommended the following things to do in Kilkenny:
Kilkenny Castle | Black Abbey | St. Canice's Cathedral | Rothe House | St. Francis Abbey Brewery | Dunmore Cave | Jerpoint Abbey | Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum |The County Hurling Museum
Kilkenny Castle
Standing beside the River Nore on the south side of Kilkenny city stands this magnificent Medieval landmark. Kilkenny Castle. The castle was built in the 12th Centaury by the Anglo Norman conqueror Strongbow. Two decades later the Castle was added to by Strongbow’s son. Today you can still see 3 of the then new 4 towers he built and the stone structure of today’s castle.
The castle was purchased by the powerful Butler family in 1391 and their descendants continued to live there until 1935. The castle was handed over to the City in 1967 and is now managed by Duchas as one of Irelands enduring national monuments.
There are guided tours through the main body of the castle. You can also take a splendorous walk through the 50-acre grounds. There is a riverside walk, stunning gardens and parklands and also a well-equipped children’s playground. The castle is a busy location in Kilkenny so get there early to avoid waiting.
LOCATION: The Parade, Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: Apr-May 10:30am-5pm; daily June-Sept 10am-7pm; Oct-Mar Tues-Sat 10:30am-12:45pm and 2-5pm, Sun 11am-12:45pm and 2-5pm
PRICE: €5 adults, €3.50 seniors, €2 children and students, €10 family
CONTACT: (056) 7721450
Black Abbey
The Dominican Black Abbey was founded in 1225 by William Marshall and takes its name from the monks’ black habits. Henry V111’s dissolved the monasteries in 1542 and hence came the darkest days of the Black Abbey. The monastery was turned into a courthouse and used by Oliver Cromwell. By the time he left all that remained of the Abbey were the walls.
In 1866 the Abbey was restored and much of what remains today is from the 18th and 19th Centuries. However, among the elements remaining from the original abbey are an alabaster sculpture of the Holy Trinity that was carved about the start of the 15th centaury, and a pre-Reformation statue of St. Dominic carved in Irish oak, which is believed to be the oldest such piece in the world. There is also a huge Rosary window created in 1892 by the Mayers of Munich. This depicts the 15 mysteries of the Rosary.
LOCATION: Location Abbey Street (off Parliament Street), Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: Apr-Sept Mon-Sat 7:30am-7pm, Sun 9am-7pm; Oct-Mar Mon-Sat 7:30am-5:30pm. No visits during worship
PRICE: Prices Free admission; donations welcome
CONTACT: (056) 7721279
St. Canice Cathedral
St. Canice’s Cathedral is located at the northern end of the city. Around the cathedral you will find a graveyard, a round tower and an 18th century bishops palace. The site is believed to have been of great pre-Christian significance. Legend relates the first monastery was built here by St. Cainneach/Canice/Kenneth. Kilkenny’s patron saint. This is dated back to the 6th Centuray and is where Kilkenny got its name.
There has been a lot of restoration work done in recent years on the Cathedral. You can now seem some beautiful stone carvings, colourful glasswork, a marble floor composed of the four marbles of Ireland and a fabulous rich wooden interior. You can also climb to the tip of the tower of the cathedral. There is also a library containing 3,000 volumes from the 16th and 17th centuries.
LOCATION: Coach Road, Irishtown, Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: Easter-Sept Mon-Sat 9am-1pm, daily 2-6pm; Oct-Easter Mon-Sat 10am-1pm, daily 2-4pm
PRICE: Free admission; Donations greatly received
CONTACT: (056) 7764971
Rothe House
Rothe House on Parliament Street is a fine example of a Tudor House. This is the best surviving example of a 16th Century merchant’s house in Ireland. The house was built in 1594 and consists of three stone buildings divided by three cobbled courtyards.
The Kilkenny Archaeological Society purchased the house in 1961. They restored and opened it to the public in 1966. Inside the house is a museum with collections of local items and costumes form various periods. These are displayed in its old timber vaulted rooms. The fine kingpost roof of the 2nd floor is a meticulous and impressive reconstruction. Also inside the house is a family history research service for Kilkenny city and county.
LOCATION: Parliament Street, Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: Jan-Mar and Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 1-5pm, Sun 3-5pm; Apr-June and Sept-Oct Mon-Sat 10:30am-5pm, Sun 3-5pm; July-Aug Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 3-5pm .
PRICE: €2.50 adults, €2 seniors and students, €1.30 children
CONTACT: (056) 7722893
St. Francis Abbey Brewery
The brewery was founded in 1710 on the site of the 12th Century Abbey of St. Francis, an old Franciscan Monastery. Owned now by Guinness the brewery produces John Smithwicks famous Irish beer Smithwicks. The brewery also produces Kilkenny Irish Beer.
William Marshall founded St Francis’ Abbey in 1232. Cromwell desecrated the Abbey in 1650. The monks were reputed to be expert brewers. A video presentation and free samples are offer during the summer months.
LOCATION: Parliament St., Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: June-Aug Mon-Fri at 3pm
PRICE: Free admission
CONTACT: (056) 7721014
Dunmore Cave
Dunmore Cave is located about 10km north of Kilkenny on the Castlecomer Road. It is a large cave divided into three sections with many limestone formations.
Some sources claim that marauding Vikings killed 1000 people at two ring forts near the Dunmore Caves in 928 AD. When survivors hid in the caverns the Vikings tried to smoke them out by lighting fires at the entrance. It is believed that they then used the men as slaves and left the women and children to suffocate. All this is believed due to the remains of 44 bodies found in 1973, mostly woman and children. Also found were coins from the 920’s.
The caves also contain Europe’s largest freestanding stalagmite. The caves are damp and cold so wear the according clothes! The compulsory guided tours are highly recommended.
LOCATION: Castlecomer Road, Ballyfoyle, Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: Mid March - Mid June, 10am - 5pm daily; Mid June - Mid September, 10am - 7pm daily; Mid September - Mid October, 10am - 5pm daily; and November - Mid March, 10am - 5pm weekends only;
* Last admissions 45 minutes before closing.
CONTACT: (056) 57726
Jerpoint Abbey
This 800 year old abbey has a wealth of mediaeval history attached to it. A guide service, a visitor centre and an exhibition brings that history to life.
LOCATION: Jerpoint Abbey, Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: To mid September, daily 9.30am - 6.30pm (5.30pm thereafter), November 10am to 4pm, rest of year open to pre-arranged groups only.
PRICE: Adults €2.75, Senior Citizens and Adult Group Rate €2, Children €1.25,
Family €7.50.
CONTACT: (056) 7724623
Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are located in the picturesque village of Inistoige on the banks of the River Nore. The gardens were once regarded as one of the great gardens of Ireland and with these in mind, Kilkenny County Council has embarked on an ambitious scheme of restoration. The gardens are now in their fourth year of restoration and offer the visitor a wide variety of interesting features such as the Flower Terraces, The Winter Garden, The Monkey Puzzle Walk, the Noble Fir Walk and the Arboretum with its rare collection of trees from all over the world.
LOCATION: Inistoige, Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: All Year
PRICE: €2.50 per vehicle to car park. Season tickets available for unlimited number of visits all year round: €20 (OAP €10) per calendar year.
CONTACT: Tel: (056) 58797, Fax: (056) 63384, Email: Email Here
The County Hurling Museum
A 17th Century, two storey, thatched mansion now restored and incorporating the County Hurling Museum - Heroes of Hurling.
LOCATION: The Lory Meagher Heritage Centre, Tullaroan, Co. Kilkenny.
OPENING TIMES: Open March to October, Mon to Fri, 10am - 5.30am (Sat by appointment only); Sunday & Bank Holidays 2pm - 5pm. May to September, Sunday lunch provided 12.30pm - 2.30pm. Prior booking requested. November to February, Sundays only, 2pm - 5pm. Note: Not open on Saturdays. Groups at anytime by arrangement.
PRICE: Adults €4, Children 50c, Senior Citizens €2.
CONTACT: (056) 7769107 or 7769202. Web:www.brodtullaroan.com
Irish National Stud, Japanese Gardens and Saint Fiachra's Garden
Established in 1946, the Irish National Stud combines an active role in the development and promotion of Irish bloodstock and is one of Ireland's major tourist attractions. The lands of the Irish National Stud include the world-famous Japanese Gardens.
The Japanese Gardens at Tully were created between the years 1906-1910. Devised by Colonel William Hall-Walker (later Lord Wavertree), a wealthy Scotsman of a famous brewery family and laid out by the Japanese Eida and his son Minoru. The Gardens, planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man', are now of international renown and are acclaimed as the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe.
Now, almost 100 years since the Japanese Gardens were designed, the Irish National Stud have created an Irish Garden to celebrate the Millennium. This garden is dedicated to St. Fiachra - the Patron Saint of Gardeners. It was officially opened on 3rd June, 1999 by H.E. the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.
LOCATION: Tully, County Kildare
OPENING TIMES: 9:30am - 6pm 12th February - 12th November. Last admission one hour before closing.
PRICE: Adults €8.50, Student €6.50, O.A.P €6.50, Child (under 12) €4.50,
Family (2 adults & 4 children under 12) €18.00, GROUP RATES (available upon request).
CONTACT: (045) 521617 / 522963
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