Kilkenny
Kilkenny - The creative heart of Ireland
With Ireland’s Mediaeval Capital at its heart, County Kilkenny offers an abundance of fascinating historic sites. There are castles and abbeys, forest parks and scenic locations together with the delights and colourful concentration of quality craft studios and workshops to visit and enjoy.
To day Kilkenny has a individual and cosmopolitan character all of its own. A city as renowned for it is for its centuries old architecture. The magnificent stone walls of Kilkenny Castle, the soaring eaves of 13th century Canice’s Cathedral the glorious stained glass of the 12th century Black Abbey. A county rich in heritage where gens of traditional hospitality are to be founded in every picturesque village its festival filled calendar such as Kilkenny Arts festival, The Cat Laugh, Savour food festival, and smaller events throughout the county, from horse racing, to the conker festival in Freshford.
Relax in style. For some it’s a pampering treatment in luxurious surroundings. For others it’s a day outdoors in an idyllic setting. From luxurious spa hotels to world renowned golf courses from walking routes to a day at the races, for that special way to unwind and recharge, you will find it here in Kilkenny.
Home to a vibrant artistic community Kilkenny is filled with galleries, craft shops and design studios featuring some of Ireland’s best known designer makers such as Nicolas Moss and Chesneau Leathers. Kilkenny Craft Trail features many of these makers, whose studios are often in idyllic settings, offering an opportunity meet people behind each beautiful made piece.
The city compact streets are filled with a wonderful mix of designer boutiques, to high street shops and gourmet restaurants to quaint café’s, and to end the evening listening to traditional music in one of the many great venues around the city
Castlecomer Discovery Park - Kilkenny
Castlecomer Discovery Park grounds consist of 30 hectares (80 acres) of mixed woodland on the banks of the River Deen which were once part of the old Wandesforde Estate.
Kilkenny Castle
The magnificent Kilkenny Castle overlooks the River Nore and has guarded this important river crossing for more than nine hundred years. The castle gardens around Kilkenny Castle, with extensive woodland paths, rose garden and ornamental lake are well worth a visit.
Kells Priory - Kilkenny
Although there is evidence that there were priests already on site serving the nearby medieval parish church, Geoffrey FitzRobert de Marisco brought four Augustinian Canons from Cornwall to establish Kells Priory in 1193.
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum - Kilkenny
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are located in the picturesque village of Inistioge on the banks of the River Nore. The gardens were once regarded as one of the great gardens of Ireland and with this in mind, Kilkenny County Council has embarked on an ambitious scheme of restoration.
Duiske Abbey - Kilkenny
Duiske Abbey, now the Catholic parish church, but once the church of a 13th century Cistercian monastery, founded in 1204, the remains of which have been incorporated into the building. The name derives from the Gaelic for Black Water – dubh uisce – a river that joins the Barrow a little downstream of the abbey.
