Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or maybe you’ve never even set foot in a river before- getting out onto the water with family and friends is a great way to spend time while the sun is out. With natural swimming areas along meandering rivers that you can canoe on, to white water adventures in kayaks, choose Kilkenny for your wild water adventures this Summer!
Keep reading to find our ultimate guide to Kilkenny’s top water-based activities and make the most of your visit!
Please ensure you follow water safety guidelines at all times when in or near water. Visit WaterSafety.ie for more information.
Pure Adventure
Explore the Rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir and the Waterford coastline by kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board with Pure Adventure. Based in the heart of the Barrow Valley in Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny and on the Beaches of The Copper Coast on the Waterford Coastline, Pure Adventure offers you the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the rivers and Coastline of the South East of Ireland.
Visit: pureadventure.ie
Kilkenny Grand Sauna
Grab a moments peace in the heart of the bustling Kilkenny City with Kilkenny Grand Sauna (pictured). Hop off the train at MacDonagh Junction and upon exiting the station, you’ll come across the quaint sauna village. Move between their two handcrafted Grand Saunas, built for deep, consistent heat and the temperature-controlled plunge baths. Sessions take place over 75 minutes, specifically designed to reset your body and clear your mind.
Visit: kilkennygrandsauna.ie
Riverbend Adventures
Take an easy paddle upriver with Riverbend Adventures in the peace and tranquility of the River Nore where you will learn some of Kilkenny’s rich history and wildlife. Paddle by old sites include former Kilkenny College, Kilkenny Castle, St Johns Bridge, The Carnegie Library, Former Smithwick’s Brewery with a view of St Canice’s Cathedral. Learn about the use of water power for Kilkenny industry and float down leisurely taking in Kilkenny from the river.
Visit: riverbendadventures.ie
Island Weir Swimming Area
Nestled in the heart of the Kilkenny countryside is the quaint village of Thomastown, which has its very own swimming area in the River Nore! The Island Weir Swimming Area (pictured) is the perfect place to cool down during a hot summer’s day. Volunteer lifeguards are on duty every weekend in June and 7-days a week in July & August. Please note that updates on the swimming area are given by the Thomastown Community River Trust.
Visit: theweirpool.com
BoatTrips.ie
BoatTrips.ie offer guided tours upon the River Nore, the friendly and engaging guides will inform you of all there is to know as you witness the wildlife that have shared the waterways with man for thousands of years. Make sure to bring your camera as you will get some very unique views of Kilkenny that you won’t want to forget! They offer regular tours and private tours, a guaranteed great day out with your friends and family!
Visit: boattrips.ie
Go With the Flow River Adventures
Go with the Flow is an award-winning company that offers incredible trails, eco safaris and white-water adventures in Kilkenny and Carlow. Run by the Horan family who eat, sleep and breathe water-activities, you’re in safe hands with Go With The Flow. Choose from the traditional Canadian canoes, kayaks or new river surfers. Qualified guides with years of experience will help you all the way. Choose thrilling white-water adventures or a safari trail through wild and wonderful natural valleys that offer wild swimming and a host of interesting features like ancient oak woods, old navigation channels, weirs to shoot and rapids to ride.
Visit: gowiththeflow.ie
Paddle Your Own Canoe
Looking for a couple of days away to shed away worry and stress? Look no further than Paddle Your Own Canoe (pictured) where you can set off on an adventure, reconnect with nature or even just spend some quality time with friends and family. Paddle Your Own Canoe gives opportunities to rent a canoe and camping gear and organise your multi day trip down the River Barrow. With trails between Monasterevin and New Ross it is possible to paddle for up to six days passing through beautiful countryside, villages, towns and historical sites
Visit: paddleyourowncanoe.ie
La Rive Sauna
Take a deep breath and relax in the beautiful green countryside of Castlecomer. Under the cover of trees, sat upon the River Dinin is La Rive Sauna. La Rive Sauna was born from a simple yet powerful idea, to create a space where people could reconnect with themselves, their health, and the natural world. With a large window overlooking the river from the sauna, sit back and enjoy the quieter moments as the world outside passes you by. Over the course of the 45 minute contrast therapy session, feel the full benefits of the heat and cold with the temperature-controlled sauna before plunging into the chill baths.
Visit: larivesauna.com
Castlecomer Discovery Park
Visitors to Castlecomer Discovery Park can enjoy leisurely time out on the water, with lots of activities from pedal boating, canoeing, kayaking and even building your own water raft! Their boating activities give you the chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of our 80-acre woodland. So whether you’re after a fast-paced or leisurely cruise around the lake you can still fit in some exercise while having fun in either Pedal boats or Canadian canoes!
Visit: www.discoverypark.ie
Hydrobiking in Graiguenamanagh
Hydrobiking is the best way to explore the river, without getting wet! Don your life jackets and hop on your bike for a gentle, low-impact total body workout. The hydrobikes are available for hourly rental from Kilkenny Hydrobikes at the rowing club in Graiguenamanagh. They are dog-friendly so make sure to bring your fluffy friends for a glide down the river or pack up the car for a family day out. Hydrobikes are suitable for children aged 8 and up.
Visit: kilkennycyclingtours.com
The Watershed
The Watershed (pictured) is THE sports and leisure facility in Kilkenny. Enjoy the extensively equipped Pool and Fitness Gym facilities where you can take a dip in the 25m Fina Standard Swimming Pool and follow this with a visit to the Health Suite with Sauna, Steam Room and Jacuzzi. Or perhaps work out for fitness or pleasure in the Gym where an experienced staff member will be on hand to offer instruction and advice.
Visit: thewatershed.ie
Trout Fishing Ireland
Trout Fishing Ireland is run by proud Gowran angler, Dan O’Neill, whose passion for teaching fishing shines through all of his work. Operating on a catch and release system, learn the ins and outs of the different catching techniques while embracing the comforting Kilkenny countryside. Cast out on the Nore, Suir or Barrow Rivers with your experienced guide.
Visit: troutfishingireland.ie
The Hot Box Sauna
Unwind after a long day on the water in the peaceful heat of The Hot Box Sauna. Set in a restored stone shed, this Finnish-style sauna will help your body recuperate. Choose to take a cold dip in their plunge pools to aid your muscle recovery after a busy day on the water. Did we mention that one of their plunge pools is actually the River Barrow? Take the ramp down to the jetty and dunk yourself into the refreshing waters of the river
Visit: thehotboxsauna.ie
Kilkenny has so much to offer from gentle meandering lakes, white water rafting and natural swimming areas! So don’t miss out on an action-packed trip to the Marble County, plan your trip today!
Tag us in your adventures at #OutdoorKilkenny