As the days draw shorter and the leaves begin to fall, the warm, outstretched arms of Kilkenny are waiting to welcome you in, keeping you well-fed with sustainably-sourced, seasonal ingredients before you head out to explore the fascinating culture encased in the Marble City and County. Kilkenny is renowned for its wonderful food and crafts scene, there is so much to experience so you MUST unpack your bags and stay a while to truly immerse yourself in the beautiful culture and history that can be found in every corner of the county.
Important festival dates to remember when travelling to Kilkenny in the Autumn:
Kilkenny Animated – start of October
Savour Kilkenny – October Bank Holiday weekend
Kilkenny Toil & Trouble Festival – end of October / start of November
Kilkenomics – start of November
Subtitle Film Festival – end of November
Follow along for our 3-day itinerary to maximise your Autumnal Escape to Kilkenny! Days are based off of a 9am start time but feel free to choose your own adventure by mixing and matching different activities to suit your schedule!
Day 1
Where to Stay:
Eircode: R95 Y5CX
Located just 350m from Kilkenny Castle, the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel is the ideal base for your busy day of exploring Kilkenny City. Relax in style in their comfortable rooms, grab a hearty breakfast from 07:00 to 10:00 to help fuel your busy day in Kilkenny. They are the only hotel in Kilkenny City with a 21m swimming pool on-site, located beside their multi-storey carpark to safely park up overnight.
Stop 1
Meeting Point: 16 John Street, Kilkenny City, R95 CC8N
Meet with your local city guide, hop on a bike and discover the winding Medieval streets of Kilkenny City. In total, tours cover 10km of the city with dedicated guides telling tales of the history and culture that there is in Kilkenny. Take the bike paths alongside the River Nore so there’s no need to worry about traffic. Kilkenny Cycling Tours are the ideal way to see so much of the Marble City in the space of 2 hours.
Allow 2 hours
Distance to next stop: 600m (10 mins walk)
Stop 2
Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny
Eircode: R95 VK54
Situated along the Medieval Mile, the Smithwick’s Experience is a must-do experience on your trip to Kilkenny. Learn about the history of the red ale which dates back to 1710. Explore the site where the iconic ale was brewed from 1710 to 2013, making it Ireland’s oldest operating brewery. Maybe even sample some of the red stuff at the end of your tour. They also have low alcohol and minerals so there’s a refreshment for everybody after an enriching tour of the South East’s most beloved red ale.
Allow 1.5 hours
Distance to next activity: 170m (3 minutes walk)
Stop 3
Grab lunch at La Bottega
Eircode: R95 NC8V
“La Bottega”, means the shop and refers to old Italian markets, which remain very present and a traditional way of life in Italy. La Bottega is the finest Italian grocery, deli & coffee shop in Kilkenny, with their out of this world tiramisù! Be transported to Italy with delicious sandwiches and top-quality coffee to re-energise after a busy morning.
Distance to next activity: 550m (5 minutes walk)
Stop 4
Eircode: R95 KAP9
Step back in time at St. Canice’s Cathedral, an important site on Christian worship since the 6th century. Choose to explore the Cathedral on a guided tour or go your own way with an informative map. The site is also home to one of just 2 round towers in the country that visitors are permitted to climb. The 9th century tower stands at 30m tall and has beautiful panoramic views of Kilkenny city and county. Be warned though, it is a tight squeeze inside the tower and you will need both hands to help you climb up the 100 steps to the top- if you’re brave enough!
Allow 1.5 hours
Distance to next activity: 850m (10 minutes walk)
Stop 5
Eircode: R95 YX3F
Committed to promoting the works of emerging Irish artists, Butler Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in the heart of Kilkenny opened in 2020. The gallery houses two main collections – The O’Malley Collection entrusted the gallery to house and display the works of the late Irish artist, Tony O’Malley, donated by his wife, Jane O’Malley. In addition, the gallery has a number of works by Irish artists under a cultural bequest from the estate of Seán & Rosemary Mulcahy.
Allow 1.5 hours
Distance to next stop: 500m (7 minute walk)
Stop 6
Eircode: R95 A030
Stroll down The Butterslip and you’ll come across Petronella, a restaurant serving modern European cuisine with Irish heart and soul. The restaurant’s name pays homage to Petronella de Meath, the first woman in Europe to be accused of witchcraft and burned at the Tholsel back in 1324. The warm, cosy atmosphere makes the restaurant the perfect place to spend a dark Autumn evening, right in the beating heart of the Medieval city.
Distance back to The Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel: 350m (5 minute walk)
Day 2
Check out of Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel and head for Hawkeye School of Falconry
Stop 1
Eircode: R95 F685
Set on the sprawling Lyrath Estate, Hawkeye School of Falconry offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with some amazing birds of prey. Meet incredible breeds like Harris Hawks, Madagascan Owls and the star of the show…. the Chilean Blue Eagle! Prepare for a one-of-a-kind day out when you visit the Falconry.
Allow 1.5 hours
Distance to next stop: 10.6km (15 min drive)
Stop 2
Eircode: R95 CK71
In 1976, Nicholas and his wife, Susan, set up Nicholas Mosse Pottery in a small shed in Bennettsbridge. They still call Bennettsbridge home but have since upgraded from their humble shed beginnings to a former flour mill that spans 3 floors and ships their ceramic creations across the world.
Each piece is created by skilled potters before being individually painted with 18th century methods by their dedicated team of crafterspeople. Take a breather and watch the process unfold through their dedicated viewing windows before heading for a bite to eat in their on-site café.
Allow 1.5 hours
Distance to next stop: 11.5km (15 min drive)
Stop 3
Eircode: R95 W58P
Say hello to husband and wife duo, Rod and Julie Calder-Potts at Highbank Orchards, a fully organic apple farm in Cuffesgrange. Head for a self-guided tour, following their bright red gates, scan the QR codes and listen to a virtual Rod Calder-Potts talk about the history of Highbank and Kilkenny. Or choose to take a ride on the orchard train and discover how much can be made from the simple apple. Savour some delicious samples of their products, including their famous Orchard Syrup and stock up your bags with gifts for all the family.
Distance to next stop: 6.3km (10 min drive)
Stop 4 – Accommodation
Where to Stay: Newlands Lodge B&B
Eircode: R95 TD8C
Meet your wonderful hosts, Mairead and Jimmy at Newlands Lodge B&B, where they display the best of the famed Irish hospitality. So much so, they were awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award for 10 consecutive years! Enjoy local produce, delicious homemade treats and the overall comfortable and welcoming surroundings that envelope you during your stay.
Distance to next stop: 6km (5 min drive)
Stop 5
Eircode: R95 D54F
Tuck into wholesome Mediterranean dishes in the extraordinary setting of The Kings Mill in the sleepy village of Kells. The rustic yet snug atmosphere is the ideal place to enjoy homemade stonebaked pizza made with fresh ingredients from local suppliers all the while sitting beside corn milling machinery that produced corn from 1782 to 1966. The Kings Mill is truly a food gem in South Kilkenny.
Distance back to Newlands Lodge B&B: 6km (5 min drive)
Day 3
Check out of Newlands Lodge at your own pace – check-out time at 11am with breakfast served from 8-9:30am.
Stop 1
Eircode: R95 CK71
Gaze in wonder as glass is moulded into wine glasses, vases or bowls in the blink of an eye. Since 1979, Jerpoint Glass has been designing and creating handmade Irish glass for your home. The workshop is free to enter, you can stay as long as you like, ask the master craftspeople questions and maybe even spark an interest in lending your talents to the ancient craft.
Distance to next stop: 1km (3 minute drive)
Stop 2
Eircode: R95 E096
Step into luxury at the 5* Mount Juliet Estate. Let the golf buffs tee off on the Signature Jack Nicklaus golf course whilst the foodies lounge in the Majors Bar of the Manor House and indulge in the award-winning Afternoon Tea experience. In the storybook setting, polish off a delicious menu of finger sandwiches, homemade scones, jams, luxurious cakes, and signature beverages. If you’re not driving, why not add some sparkle to your afternoon with a glass of Gremillet Champagne.
Distance to next stop: 3.8km (5 minute drive)
Final stop
Eircode: R95 P523
Walk amongst the ruins of one of the best surviving Cisterian abbeys in Ireland. As you drive the R448 road you will be astounded by how close the abbey sits to the roadside. Jerpoint Abbey is renowned for its detailed stone sculptures and carvings. Children can explore the abbey with a treasure hunt available in the nearby visitor centre.