Picnics and summertime go hand-in-hand — whether it’s on the grass, in a woodland, under the stars, or just a beautiful summer weekend at a nearby park, the ideal picnic is nothing more than choosing a great location, bringing something to sit on, and packing some delicious food and drinks. Here are Kilkenny’s top picnic locations this Summer:
Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum
The stunning Woodstock Gardens are located just outside the picturesque village of Inistioge. The gardens, overlooking the River Nore Valley, offer visitors a wide variety of attractions and are a relaxing and beautiful environment in which to spend a day with a picnic!
There are picnic tables around the gardens, a playground and an orienteering course for the more adventurous families. There is a €4 admission fee per car, payable on exit. For more information visit Woodstock Gardens
Castlecomer Discovery Park
If you want an action packed day out followed by a picnic surrounded by woodlands, then this is the perfect location! Castlecomer Discovery Park is an 80-acre activity park featuring a wide range of exhilarating activities for all ages, from the challenging tree-top walk high above the woodland forest, Ireland’s longest zip line to Mountain Biking & Axe Throwing.
For the younger children, there’s a playground, an elf and fairy village, a giant bouncing net and a Junior Woodland Adventure Course where children navigate a series of low-risk challenges, balancing and steering their way through the obstacles.
Throughout the park there are lots of picnic tables to sit back and relax after a morning of fun activities. For more information visit Castlecomer Discovery Park
Kilfane Glen and Waterfall
Untouched for 200 years, Kilfane Glen & Waterfall is a picturesque paradise consisting of 15 acres of natural landscape with a waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage orné.
Kilfane Glen & Waterfall is open to the public daily from 11am to 6pm from July 1st to August 31st. An admission fee to the garden of €7 per person to keep the garden maintained. Reductions are available for students, OAPs and families.
For more information visit Kilfane Glen & Waterfall
Among the delights of Summer were picnics to the woods.
Kilkenny Castle Parklands
Kilkenny Castle Parklands comprises of an incredible 21 hectares of land providing the ideal spot for a picnic no matter how big the family are!! The park also has woodland walks & a superb children’s playground with swings, slides, bridges and benches for adults too and is open until 8.30pm during the summer.
For more information visit Kilkenny Castle
Nore Valley Park
What child doesn’t love the opportunity to get close and personal with some favourite farm animals, Nore Valley Park does just that, along with picnic tables making it a great place to bring your picnic and enjoy a family day out.
For more information visit: www.norevalleypark.com
Jenkinstown Park
Just a 10min drive from Kilkenny City, Jenkinstown Park has a range of picnic sites and tables set in a large estate and parklands dating back to 1870. The facilities also include forest walks, a deer park and a craft centre.
For more information click here.
