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40 Best and Fun Things To Do In Kilkenny, Ireland


TouristWire Editors

This ancient Irish city boasts breathtaking architectural marvels that will leave you in awe!

Its crown jewel is Kilkenny Castle, a reconstructed twelfth-century fortress that’s open for tours to the public.

Other things to do here include strolling through the town’s historic streets, visiting museums, and playing a round of golf at the Kilkenny Golf Club.

Another popular attraction is the National Reptile Zoo, an interactive facility where visitors have the chance to get up close and personal with a variety of snakes, lizards, tortoises, and more!

Kilkenny is also home to several excellent restaurants, including Breathnach’s, The Kilford Arms, and Matt The Millers. There are also plenty of bars and pubs where you can stop by for a drink or two.

If you’d like to know more about what this charming town has to offer, check out our list of suggestions below

The 40 Most Popular Things To Do In Kilkenny, Ireland

40. Hurling Tours Ireland

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Location: Co Oct 16 2019 IE O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Grounds Hebron Road Kilkenny

Tel:  87-970-0795

Web Address:   http://hurlingtoursireland.ie/

39. Nore Valley Walk Trailhead

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Location: Bennettsbridge Co Kilkenny

38. The Kilkenny Famine Experience

4.8 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)

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Credit: Wally Gobetz, License, Flickr

Location: Hebron Road Highhays Kilkenny

Tel:  56-777-7600

Web Address:   https://kilkennyfamineexperience.com/

37. St. Francis Abbey

4.7 ★★★★★ (6 reviews)

800px-st. mary%27s church %288232905463%29

Credit: psyberartist, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Saint Francis Abbey Brewery 31 Parliament Street Gardens Kilkenny

36. Clara Castle

4.0 ★★★★☆ (6 reviews)

450px-clara castle - geograph.org.uk - 494292

Credit: liam murphy, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Kilmagar Co Kilkenny

35. Kilkenny Handwrought Silver

5.0 ★★★★★ (7 reviews)

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Credit: Oleksandr K, Google Maps

Location: The Castle Yard The Parade Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-776-3490

34. The Lunaflics Drive In Cinema Kilkenny

4.8 ★★★★★ (9 reviews)

Location: Castleinch Kilkenny

Tel:  83-852-6309

33. Lacken Walk

4.8 ★★★★★ (12 reviews)

Af1qipn3ysi3pxpaunlvartsjbhvbae4d9cusahy-hmx=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Van Man, Google Maps

Location: Lacken Kilkenny

32. Black Freren Gate

3.7 ★★★★☆ (13 reviews)

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Credit: William Murphy, License, Flickr

Location: 12 Sraid Na Mainistreach Gairdini San Eoin Cill Chainnigh

31. The Kilkenny Way

4.5 ★★★★★ (18 reviews)

Location: 29 Rose Inn Street Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  86-817-1978

Web Address:   http://thekilkennyway.com/

30. St. John’s Church of Ireland

4.2 ★★★★☆ (18 reviews)

Location: John Street Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-775-1500

Web Address:   http://cashel.anglican.org/

29. Talbot’s Tower

4.3 ★★★★☆ (21 reviews)

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Credit: A.-K. D., License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Gardens Kilkenny

28. The Parade Tower Wing

4.6 ★★★★★ (21 reviews)

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Credit: Michal Fornal, Google Maps

Location: The Parade Collegepark Kilkenny

Tel:  56-770-4108

Web Address:   http://kilkennycastle.ie/

27. Newpark Wildlife Farm

4.5 ★★★★★ (23 reviews)

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Credit: Ronan Farrell, Google Maps

Location: 17 Castlecomer Road Newpark Lower Kilkenny

Tel:  56-776-0500

Web Address:   http://flynnhotels.com/Newpark_Hotel_Kilkenny/adventure-trail.html

26. Hawkeye Falconry

5.0 ★★★★★ (30 reviews)

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Credit: Kevin McCabe, Google Maps

Location: Lyrath Co Kilkenny

Web Address:   https://hawkeyefalconry.ie/

25. Maudlin Castle

4.0 ★★★★☆ (40 reviews)

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Credit: Sheila1988, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 30 Maudlin Street Highhays Kilkenny

24. Countryside Leisure Activity Centre

5.0 ★★★★★ (46 reviews)

Location: Bonnettsrath Kilkenny

Tel:  56-776-1791

Web Address:   http://countrysideleisureactivitycentre.ie/

23. The Tholsel, Kilkenny

4.3 ★★★★☆ (48 reviews)

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Credit: Makos78, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Gardens Kilkenny

22. Saint Canice’s Catholic Church

4.6 ★★★★★ (63 reviews)

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Credit: William Murphy, License, Flickr

Location: Dean Street Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-772-1533

Web Address:   http://stcanicesparish.ie/

21. Church of St John The Evangelist

4.7 ★★★★★ (68 reviews)

Location: Dublin Road Highhays Kilkenny

Tel:  56-772-1072

Web Address:   http://stjohnskilkenny.com/

20. Burnchurch Castle

4.2 ★★★★☆ (72 reviews)

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Credit: Simonak, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Unnamed Rd. Co  Kilkenny

19. National Design & Craft Gallery

4.5 ★★★★★ (83 reviews)

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Credit: William Murphy, License, Flickr

Location: The Castle Yard The Parade Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-779-6147

Web Address:   http://ndcg.ie/

18. Coill an Fhailtaigh Millennium Forest

4.5 ★★★★★ (84 reviews)

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Credit: Michael O Brien, Google Maps

Location: Castleinch Co Kilkenny

Web Address:   https://coillte.ie/site/coille-an-fhaltaigh/

17. BoatTrips.ie

5.0 ★★★★★ (107 reviews)

Location: Canal Square John’s Bridge Collegepark Kilkenny

Tel:  87-206-1999

Web Address:   http://boattrips.ie/

16. Kells Priory

4.7 ★★★★★ (150 reviews)

595px-county kilkenny - kells priory - 20180302000140

Credit: Rob Hurson, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Kellsborough Co Kilkenny

Web Address:   https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/kells-priory/

15. Kilkenny Activity Centre

4.0 ★★★★☆ (195 reviews)

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Credit: Kilkenny Activity Centre, Google Maps

Location: New Orchard Road Neworchard Kilkenny

Tel:  86-261-1567

Web Address:   https://kilkennyactivitycentre.ie/

14. Kilkenny Golf Club

4.5 ★★★★★ (233 reviews)

Location: Glendine Road Glendine Kilkenny

Tel:  56-776-5400

Web Address:   http://kilkennygolfclub.com/

13. Jenkinstown Wood And Walled Garden Walk

4.7 ★★★★★ (299 reviews)

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Credit: Jayk88, Google Maps

Location: Jenkinstown Co Kilkenny

Tel:  1-860-8800

Web Address:   http://irishtrails.ie/Trail/Jenkinstown-Wood—Walled-Garden-loop/124/

12. Jerpoint Abbey

4.5 ★★★★★ (478 reviews)

800px-jerpoint abbey thomastown kilkenny ireland

Credit: Sabrina O Brien, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Jockeyhall Thomastown Co Kilkenny

Tel:  56-772-4623

Web Address:   https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/jerpoint-abbey/

11. Dunmore Cave

4.5 ★★★★★ (768 reviews)

800px-entrance to dunmore cave

Credit: Jan-Philipp Litza, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Castlecomer Rd. Inchabride Kilkenny

Tel:  56-776-7726

Web Address:   https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/dunmore-cave/

10. Kilkenny Castle Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (8,616 reviews)

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Credit: Aldebaran, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Castle Road Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-770-4100

Web Address:   http://kilkennycastle.ie/

Our Top picks

9. Butler Gallery

4.7 ★★★★★ (91 reviews)

800px-butler gallery in evans home

Credit: A.-K. D., License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Evans Home John’s Quay Kilkenny

Tel:  56-776-1106

Web Address:   http://butlergallery.ie/

8. Rothe House & Garden

4.5 ★★★★★ (304 reviews)

Location: 16 Parliament Street Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-772-2893

Web Address:   http://rothehouse.com/

7. The Black Abbey

4.6 ★★★★★ (521 reviews)

800px-black abbey grose antiquities of ireland 1791

Credit: Francis Grose, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-772-1279

Web Address:   http://dominicans.ie/about/communities/black-abbey-kilkenny/

6. Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral

4.6 ★★★★★ (637 reviews)

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Credit: Enrico Strocchi, License, Flickr

Location: James’s Street Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  87-242-0033

Web Address:   http://stmaryscathedral.ie/

5. St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ (648 reviews)

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Credit: Gerd Eichmann, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-781-7022

Web Address:   http://medievalmilemuseum.ie/

4. Smithwick’s Experience

4.5 ★★★★★ (939 reviews)

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Credit: Dieglop, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 44 Parliament Street Gardens Kilkenny

Web Address:   https://smithwicksexperience.com/

3. The National Reptile Zoo

4.6 ★★★★★ (1,214 reviews)

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Credit: ANSARI AYOOB, Google Maps

Location: Hebron Business Park Hebron Road Leggetsrath West Kilkenny

Tel:  56-776-1783

Web Address:   http://nationalreptilezoo.ie/

2. Cathedral Church of St Canice & Round Tower

4.5 ★★★★★ (1,602 reviews)

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Credit: Graves, James, 1815-1886, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Coach Road Gardens Kilkenny

Tel:  56-776-4971

Web Address:   http://stcanicescathedral.ie/

1. Kilkenny Castle

4.6 ★★★★★ (8,703 reviews)

800px-kilkenny castle%2c the parade%2c kilkenny

Credit: Robert Linsdell, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: The Parade Collegepark Kilkenny

Tel:  56-770-4100

Web Address:   http://kilkennycastle.ie/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Kilkenny, Ireland! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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