Kilkenny is a must-see, must-do stop when you visit Ireland. Whether you’re a homegrown or overseas visitor, there’s plenty of intriguing activities and experiences to draw you to the Marble City and County and plenty of unique encounters to tick off your bucket list!
Go Down in History
County Kilkenny fuses it’s rich medieval history with modern storytelling and enthralling tour guides, you can’t miss out on a walking tour around the medieval city. Choose to take in the sites of the city on bike with Kilkenny City Cycling Tours, get a tailored tour experience for whatever your interests are with Kilkenny Tours with John Comerford, enjoy a magical and memorable tour with Shenanigans Walks, take on a Dark Kilkenny ghosts and witches tour with Pat Tynan Walking Tours and explore our witchy history. Take on the rich Medieval Mile with Brian Hogan from Kilkenny Medieval Mile Tour or immerse yourself in Kilkenny’s rich past with Ormonde Language Tours, who cater for English, German and French speakers.
If you want to give your feet a rest, jump into a boat and see the city from a different angle with Cliff at BoatTrips.ie
Ditch the city and head South for the ancient countryside, where you will find portal dolmens, High Crosses, ogham stones and other relics of the bygone eras of Ireland all over the Lingaun Valley. Head North and step back in time to 928 AD in the Dunmore Caves. The caves have hundreds of chambers that were formed over millions of years. Go deep into the earth and deeper into the past…
Located just 10km from each other, Kells Priory and Jerpoint Abbey (pictured) are two fantastic structures that have survived many battles in Ireland over hundreds of years. Both founded in the 12th century, Kells Priory is one of the largest and most impressive medieval monuments in Ireland whilst Jerpoint Abbey is is one of the best examples of a medieval Cistercian Abbey in Ireland. Two fantastic accolades for the medieval structures in Kilkenny.
Kells Priory is accessible for self-guided visits and Jerpoint Abbey has a small but informative visitor centre that houses an excellent exhibition on-site.
Animal Encounters
There are so many wonderful animal encounters for all ages in Kilkenny, perfect for family days out, first dates or a weekend jaunt with friends! Meet people who are passionate about sustainability and the conservation of some amazing species who reside across County Kilkenny.
The National Reptile Zoo
Tucked away in Hebron Business Park, you’ll be amazed at what amazing creatures you’ll find when you enter the doors of The National Reptile Zoo. With hands-on interactions with all creatures great and small, learn about the conservation work that they do around the world and discover new facts about the ancient species that call the National Reptile Zoo ‘home’.
They also offer VIP Keeper Experiences, where you can assist one of our dedicated Zoo Keepers during their daily routines as they care for some of the incredible animals, gain access to some of their ‘backstage’ areas, where the public never get to see, you’ll also have the opportunity to help feed the animals and learn what it’s really like to work in Ireland’s only Reptile Zoo!
Zwartbles Ireland
Conservation Environmentalist, Farmer, Shepherd, Writer, Photographer, Blanket Designer, Speaker and an all-round inspiring lady, Suzanna Crampton is a sustainability champion based in Bennettsbridge. Caring for her beautiful flock of Zwartbles sheep on a piece of land that has been in her mother’s family for 7 generations, Suzanna’s hard work and dedication is astounding. She is a founding member of Southeast Women in Farming Ireland and she advocates for women who farm and co-founded Regenerative Farming Ireland.
Take part in an insightful private tour and learn about the amazing work that she does. Discover why and how she raises her sheep and gaze at the local Cushendale Woollen Mill blankets that are produced from their gorgeous wool on her environmentally sustainable farm.
To organise a visit to Zwartbles please email: info@zwartblesireland.com to make an appointment.
Hawkeye Falconry
Set on the sprawling 5* Lyrath Estate, Hawkeye Falconry is a once-in-a-lifetime animal experience, where you come face-to-face with incredible birds of prey. Falconry is an ancient sport, an exact date is not known but suspected to have originated back in the third century BCE. Now, you can experience some of that action in modern day Kilkenny! Meet their Owls, Falcons, Harris Hawks and the iconic Eagle!
*Please note: The minimum age for entry into the Falconry School is 7 years of age.
If birds aren’t your thing, or you feel a little bit overwhelmed, the team at Hawkeye Falconry will understand! There are also archery and laser clay shooting activities available on-site to keep everybody entertained.
Nore Valley Park
Fun for all the family and increasingly popular for first dates, Nore Valley Park offers a hands-on experience with an array of fuzzy, cuddly animals. Bottle feed baby lambs and goats, snuggle up with bunnies, gaze in wonder at the jaw-dropping herd of deer before ooh-ing and aah-ing at the cutest Swiss Valais sheep that you have ever seen!
Our word of advice? Don’t get too close to the alpacas, unless you want a “kiss”!
After exploring the farm, kids can explore playground, take on the crazy golf course, or hop on the tractor train for a 15-minute journey down to the Nore River and around the farm. Parents are invited to relax with a sweet treat from the tuck shop while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Nore Valley! A day out in Nore Valley Park will be one to remember!
Unique Food Experiences
Wildflower Cafe
We’ve all imagined what it would be like to be fairies before, right? Shrinking down and being able to sit in the most peculiar places, enjoying a slice of cake and tea… but what if we told you that’s possible in Kilkenny? Situated in Butler Gallery, you will find Wildflower Café with its wholesome food and delicious coffee and in their outdoor seating area you will find an array of greenhouses with tables inside!
This uniquely charming dining experience is surrounded by beautiful green areas and overlooked by the historic St. John’s Priory. Sit back and relax in your own greenhouse, let the sun blaze down or listen to the quiet pitter patter of raindrops and live your fairy fantasy!
Highbank Orchards
There is no better food experience than one that is given by the owners themselves. Highbank Orchards is just a 10-minute drive from Kilkenny City and is worth escaping to the countryside for! Hop on the orchard train with owner, Rod Calder-Potts and learn about the deeply historic Farmley estate on which the orchard stands. Find out about the Highbank story, how they came to be and how many products they produce from the simple apple!
After your orchard tour, you will meet Rod’s wife, Julie under the enormous, sacred oak tree for a tasting session of their products. From pip to sip and one ingredient producing sixteen products… will you be tempted to try some? If you were to ask us, we’d pick their award-winning Orchard Syrup- it’s award-winning for a reason!