Visitor attractions in Kilkenny

Kilkenny Castle

Castle Road, Kilkenny

This superb castle is located on elevated ground beside the river at the south-eastern end of the city. The castle was built in the thirteenth century on the site of an earlier fort. The Butlers, the Earls of Ormonde (an Hibernicised Norman clan), occupied the castle from the fourteenth century onwards. In modern times, the castle has been restored to its former glory by the state, and was officially open to the public in 1976. There is an exhibition hall open to the public in the Old Castle Stables.

Kilkenny Castle provides guided tours, an art gallery, a café during summer, extensive grounds and a childrens play area.

National Crafts Gallery

Castle Road, Kilkenny

The National Crafts Gallery is located in Castle Yard directly across from Kilkenny Castle. This gallery was initiated by the Crafts Council of Ireland with the objective of stimulating an innovative and quality design ethos in the Irish crafts sector. The gallery boasts an impressive range of craft exhibitions that successfully communicate and showcase the cultural and commercial attributes of the craft sector in Ireland.

Talbots Castle & City Wall

Talbot's Castle, located in the city's technical school, is an impressive circular tower. A remnant of the original medieval city wall can be viewed close by. The technical school building is in itself worth viewing. This interesting limestone building was originally built in the nineteenth century and has been used as a technical school since 1936.

Shee Alms House

Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny.

Shee Alms House is situated in Rose Inn Street and was founded in 1582 by Sir Richard Shee. The purpose of these institutions was to take care of the poor, and this Tudor Alms House is one of the last remaining buildings of its type still in existence in Ireland. The building has been recently restored and now accommodates the Kilkenny Tourist Office.

The Thosel

High Street, Kilkenny

This central Kilkenny landmark dates from 1761. Erected by Alderman William Colles, the Thosel served as the market for the city (the word 'thosel' means literally a marketplace). Architecturally, the building has a double length arcade with an impressive Georgian Council Chamber room positioned above the arcade. There is a clock tower on the steeply pitched roof, and the southern wall contains the Kilkenny coat of arms. The original building was badly damaged after a fire in 1987, but has since been completely restored, and now serves as the City Hall.

St. Mary's Cathedral

James Street, Kilkenny

The cathedral is situated on James's Street, and dates from the mid nineteenth century. The building is accessible from the Black Abbey via Black Mill Street. St. Mary's boasts a 200ft high tower and superbly carved altars.

The Black Abbey

Abbey Street, Kilkenny.

William Marshall (Earl of Pembroke) founded the Black Abbey in 1225 for the Dominicans. This impressive building is situated on Abbey Street, and features a tower and some magnificent windows dating from the original the original structure. The Dominican abbey was dissolved in the sixteenth century and subsequently became a courthouse. Fortunately, the abbey was restored to its former glory in the nineteenth century enabling it to be reopened as a church. At the Abbey entrance, one can find a series of monumental slabs and stone coffins dating from the middle ages.

Rothe House

Parliament Street,, Kilkenny.

This magnificent sixteenth century Tudor town house is situated on Parliament Street. Built in 1594 by John Rothe, the building consists of three houses with courtyards. Rothe House currently houses the museum and library of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society. Within the museum there are a number of exhibits including period costume displays and a genealogical centre.

Black Freren Gate

Abbey Street, Kilkenny.

Black Freren Gate is located in close proximity to the Black Abbey on Abbey Street. This landmark is the sole existing remnant of the entrance gates in the medieval city walls.

St. Canice's Cathedral

Dean Street, Kilkenny.

St. Canice's was erected in the thirteenth century, and is accessible from Irishtown via St. Canice's Steps. The cathedral features a magnificent tower that offers impressive views of the city. The cathedral evolved over the centuries and was unfortunately damaged by Oliver Cromwell's troops in the seventeenth century. This Kilkenny landmark features a fascinating collection of monuments and tombs dating from the Tudor era.

St. Francis Abbey Brewery

The oldest brewery in Ireland is St. Francis Abbey Brewery standing on the site of a Franciscan Abbey founded in 1231. Brewing was carried on here for Centuries until the disolution of the Monasteries (around 1540). The beautiful Tower and Chancel survive, and the medieval city wall of Kilkenny also runs through the brewery's grounds.

Dunmore Caves

Dunmore, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

History and geology blend at Dunmore Cave to give an interesting and unique situation. Consisting of a series of chambers formed over millions of years, the cave contains some of the finest calcite formations found in any Irish cave. The cave has been known to man for many centuries and is first mentioned in the 9th century Irish Triads. The most interesting reference however, comes from the Annals which tells of a Viking massacre at the cave in the year 928 A.D. Exhibitions and displays in the Visitor Centre. The cave is inaccessible for wheelchair users.

Jerpoint Abbey

Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

An outstanding Cistercian abbey founded in the second half of the 12th century. The church with its Romanesque details dates from this period. In the transept chapels the visitor can see 13th and 16th century tomb sculpture. The tower and cloister date from the 15th century. The chief delight of the Abbey is the sculptured cloister arcade with unique carvings. The Visitor Centre houses an interesting exhibition. Access for visitors with disabilities. Guided tours available.

Duiske Abbey

Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland

A fully restored early Cistercian Church, Original medieval floor tiles still available to view.

Reptile Village

Gowran, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
T: 056 7726 757   W: www.reptilevillage.net

With over 120 animals in 50 exhibits, from alligators to geckos, rattlesnakes to pythons, Reptile Village Zoo is Ireland's only reptile zoo, fully licensed by the Department of the Environment. Your chance to get up close and personal with animals you'd normally only see on TV.