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)
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)
Credit: psyberartist, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Saint Francis Abbey Brewery 31 Parliament Street Gardens Kilkenny
36. Clara Castle
4.0 (6 reviews)
Credit: liam murphy, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Kilmagar Co Kilkenny
35. Kilkenny Handwrought Silver
5.0 (7 reviews)
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)
Location: Lacken Kilkenny
32. Black Freren Gate
3.7 (13 reviews)
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)
Credit: A.-K. D., License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Gardens Kilkenny
28. The Parade Tower Wing
4.6 (21 reviews)
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)
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)
Credit: Kevin McCabe, Google Maps
Location: Lyrath Co Kilkenny
Web Address: https://hawkeyefalconry.ie/
25. Maudlin Castle
4.0 (40 reviews)
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)
Credit: Makos78, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Gardens Kilkenny
22. Saint Canice’s Catholic Church
4.6 (63 reviews)
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)
Credit: Simonak, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Unnamed Rd. Co Kilkenny
19. National Design & Craft Gallery
4.5 (83 reviews)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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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