There is tons of fun to be had in Kilkenny at any time during the year but it comes alive in the Summertime with the longer evenings providing you with more daylight to explore the marvelous Marble county. Spend your time in the blooming beautiful outdoors, be amongst nature and learn about the rich heritage and energetic culture that envelops Kilkenny city and county.
Follow along for our 3-day itinerary to maximise your Summer Holiday to Kilkenny! Feel free to choose your own adventure by mixing and matching different activities to suit your schedule!
Important festival dates to note when travelling to Kilkenny in the Summer:
The Cat Laughs Festival – end May/ start Jun
Graiguenamanagh Town of Books – mid August
Kilkenny Arts Festival – start August
Alternative Arts Festival – start August, runs concurrently with Kilkenny Arts Festival
The Iverk Show – end August
Accommodation Options
Longbowe offers the perfect detoxifying escape when travelling to Kilkenny, they encourage you to stay for longer and enjoy the peaceful moments where you’re surrounded by the beauty of nature. Their large windows help to bring the outside in with the eco-home expertly decorated with natural, calming colours to help reflect the sprawling natural world that exists beyond the doors…
Centrally located, the Hibernian Hotel is an ideal location for every visitor to Kilkenny, with single rooms for solo travellers and up to triple rooms for groups. Downstairs, you will find the South-African inspired braai grill restaurant, Ember, using seasonal, local ingredients to produce unforgettable flavours. Spend your day exploring the city, in the heart of all the action and come back to a comfy bed for a relaxing night’s sleep.
Day One
Activity 1
Thomastown Weir Pool
Escape to the countryside for a day in the beautiful Thomastown. Start your day with a dip in the Weir Pool, a natural swimming area open to the public from June – August. Lifeguards are on duty during the weekends from June. The Weir Pool is cared for by a group of local volunteers who pledge to protect the natural world and develop the leisure, heritage, and environmental resources of the River Nore in Thomastown. Please remember to always adhere to water safety regulations when you are in or near water.
Activity 2
You can’t miss this stunning example of an Irish Cistercian Abbey, no really, you can’t! As you drive along the R448, the towers of the abbey will come into view and the 12th century treasure appears directly beside your car, towering above you in the best example of the transition between Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Children can explore the abbey with a treasure hunt available in the nearby visitor centre and the exhibition is a must-see!
Lunch Stop
The Hound at Mount Juliet Estate
Tuck into a delicious locally-sourced menu of seasonal ingredients whilst relaxing on the terrace, overlooking the world-class golf course at Mount Juliet Estate. The award-winning restaurant is a wonderful location for a casual lunch with your pals. Before you head for your next destination, take a wander around the gorgeous Walled Garden in all its glory.
Activity Three
Open exclusively in July & August each year, Kilfane Glen & Waterfall is a stunning example of a Romantic garden, located in the heart of the Kilkenny countryside. Owned by the Mosse family, of Nicholas Mosse Pottery fame, they are actively restoring the grounds to their original grandeur for all to enjoy. The gardens date back to the late 18th century and covers 15-acres. It is a wonderful day out for all the family, with accessible natural paths.
There is an admission fee to the garden of €7 per person to keep the garden maintained.
Dinner
Heading back into the city, you will find Christy’s Bar– home to one of Kilkenny’s largest beer gardens which hosts the Blasta Wood Fired Pizza truck on weekends over the summer. Run by 2 Kilkenny natives and their Neapolitan chef, they serve delicious Italian-style pizzas using the best ingredients. You can find out where they are going to be each week via their Instagram.
Day Two
Activity 1
Start your day with a stroll around Kilkenny Castle Parkland. Set on 21 hectares of land, the parkland is a wonderful amenity for the local community with the stunning Norman castle in the background. Head for a run or walk around the grounds, bring kids to the park or take in the sights of the walled garden to the front of the Castle, which blooms with vibrant colour each Summer.
Activity 2
Set out on a 2.5-hour walking food tour of Kilkenny’s amazing culinary scene with a knowledgeable local guide. During the tour you will meet passionate food and drink producers who call Kilkenny home and treat us to freshly baked goodies each day! Sample traditional eats and modern twists on classic dishes at a number of different cafés and restaurants!
Snack Stop
Stop into the multi-award-winning Café La Coco and grab a few of their delectable pastries and a cup of coffee to enjoy at your next stop. Creating mind-boggling and mouthwatering desserts, their pastries and cakes are stuff of dreams! Choose from sweet or savoury treats that you will be dreaming about for weeks to come.
Activity 3
Step back in time to 12th century Kilkenny and learn all about the Rothe Family’s story in this house of rich history. The Tudor townhouse houses a treasure of a garden at the rear that reaches to the original city walls. The garden has been restored to its former glory and is now a magnificent place in the heart of the bustling city. Head up to the gardens, grab a picnic blanket and lounge around with a book in the secret garden.
Dinner
Situated along The Parade, Rive Gauche looks out at the famous Kilkenny landmark, Kilkenny Castle. There is no better place to sit down for a delicious dinner to end your day in the city with the added excitement of sitting under the canopies to people watch for the evening!
Day Three
Activity 1
Take 700 steps below the surface and learn about the people who inhabited these sprawling caves back as far as 928AD. The caves are home to some of Ireland’s most impressive underground calcite formations in a series of limestone chambers that have evolved over millions of years. Archaeological research has shown us that people inhabited the caves as far back as the Vikings…
Activity 2
Soar through the skies, race across the lake or tear around the cycling tracks at Castlecomer Discovery Park. The not-for-profit social enterprise is a fun-filled day out for all groups, with an Elf & Fairy Village, Junior Woodland Adventure Course, Archery, Orienteering, Kayaking, High Ropes Course and much, much more!
Lunch
Tuk Tuk Wok Bar
On site at Castlecomer Discovery Park, you will find Tuk Tuk Wok Bar, a flavourful Asian street restaurant with aromatic dishes and bold, authentic flavour. With gluten-free, vegan and low calorie options, the menu is designed to be inclusive and full of feel-good vibes.
Final Activity
La Rive Sauna Castlecomer
Newly installed, the La Rive Sauna can be found next door to the Avalon House Hotel in Castlecomer. Overlooking the River Dinin, the sauna is a place to relax and reflect on your visit to Kilkenny. The spacious sauna can accommodate up to 8 guests, allowing for a more intimate wellness experience.