Things to Do in Kilkenny

A flat, scenic walking path following the River Nore from the castle to the medieval bridge, past swans and old mill buildings.

🕐 Always open

💡 Start at the weir just behind the castle for a good view of the water cascading over the rocks. Bring a pair of binoculars if you like birdwatching – kingfishers are sometimes spotted.

Sprawling 50-acre parkland with formal gardens, a lake, and woodland walks right behind the castle. Entry to the grounds is free, even though the castle interior costs.

🕐 Daily, 8am to dusk

💡 The walled kitchen garden is usually quiet and has a nice view of the castle from the south side.

The castle grounds are open to the public for free walking, picnics, and exploring the woodland trails and riverside paths.

🕐 Daily, dawn until dusk

💡 Entry to the castle itself costs €8, but you can enjoy the park and the formal rose garden without paying a penny. Best in late spring when the rhododendrons are out.

Sprawling 50-acre parkland around the castle. You can walk through formal gardens, woodlands, and along the River Nore for free. The castle interior costs to enter.

🕐 Daily 07:00–21:00 (summer); 07:00–17:00 (winter)

💡 Enter via the Castle Road gate for a quieter route away from the main tourist path. Best in late afternoon for golden light.

Expansive public park with formal gardens, woodland walks, and a duck pond, open daily year-round. The castle exterior and grounds are free to explore; guided interior tours are paid.

🕐 Daily 08:00–20:00 (or dusk in winter)

💡 Enter via the Rose Garden off the Parade for a quieter route; the playground near the river entrance is good for a break if you have kids.

Two connected public parks along the River Nore, with benches, sculptures, and paths. The Peace Park has a small playground and a dog-friendly area. Great for a picnic or a walk.

🕐 Always open

💡 Walk from the castle along the river path to the Peace Park—it's a straight 10-minute walk and you'll see the old city walls and swans.

A 3km riverside loop along the River Nore and the old canal basin, passing weirs, herons, and industrial heritage. Marked route with benches and little traffic.

🕐 Open 24 hours. Best daylight conditions.

💡 Start at the graveyard near St. Francis Abbey and walk anti-clockwise for the best water views. Good for a chilly day—sheltered by trees for most of the route. Free map at the tourist office.

Flat, paved walking path following the River Nore from the castle to St John's Bridge. Passes under an old railway viaduct and several watermills. Benches every 200m.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Start at the Castle Road gate and walk downstream to the footbridge at Green's Bridge for a circular route back via the town. Best before 10am or after 5pm to avoid crowds.

Historic pub dating to 1324, named after Dame Alice Kyteler who was accused of witchcraft. Free to enter for a drink or just to see the medieval stonework and low-beamed ceilings.

🕐 Mon–Thu 10:30–23:30, Fri–Sat 10:30–00:30, Sun 12:00–23:00

💡 Go mid-afternoon on a weekday for a quieter look at the original fireplace and well in the back room. Live music most evenings from 9pm—no cover charge.

A 13th-century pub with free live traditional Irish music sessions most evenings. No cover charge; drinks are reasonably priced for the location. Historical plaques inside tell the story of Dame Alice Kyteler, accused of witchcraft.

🕐 Daily 11:00–23:30 (music from 21:30)

💡 Music starts around 21:30 weeknights, earlier on weekends. Arrive by 20:45 to get a seat near the back fireplace – the best acoustics.

Contemporary craft space in a former church, showcasing Irish ceramics, glass, and textiles. Rotating exhibitions are always free.

🕐 Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm

💡 Check their website for free workshops on Saturdays—often hands-on with local artisans.

Contemporary craft and design gallery inside the castle grounds. Rotating exhibitions of Irish and international makers, housed in a converted stable block.

🕐 Tue–Sat 10am–5:30pm, Sun 11am–5pm. Closed Mondays.

💡 The shop downstairs sells affordable small pieces (€10–€30) from craft students—good for gifts without the high-end craft prices. Exhibition changes every 8–12 weeks so check website before visiting.

Self-guided walking route connecting major landmarks along cobblestone streets, with free downloadable audio guide. Starts at Kilkenny Castle, ends at St. Canice's Cathedral, about 1.5 km.

🕐 Always accessible; guided tours available 10:00–16:00 (pay via tourist office)

💡 Download the audio guide before you arrive (WiFi is patchy); pick up a paper map at the tourist office on Rose Inn Street. Best done in the late afternoon when crowds thin.

The brewery tour costs €15, but they offer a free 15-minute tasting session in the gift shop, including samples of the ale.

🕐 Daily 10am–5pm

💡 No booking needed for the free tasting; just walk in and ask at the counter. Arrive between 11am and 3pm for the best chance of being offered a seat.

The cathedral churchyard and exterior of the 9th-century round tower are free to view. The tower climb costs a small fee.

🕐 Cathedral grounds open Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 1pm–5pm

💡 Skip the climb if you're short on time; instead, walk around the graveyard to see old Celtic crosses and stone carvings. Look for the tomb of a local bishop dated 1285.

Medieval cathedral with a 30-metre round tower you can climb for a fee. The grounds and graveyard are free to walk around and have ancient Celtic crosses.

🕐 Cathedral: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm (grounds always open)

💡 For a free view, stand at the gate on Coach Road; you can see the whole tower and city rooftops without paying the tower entry fee.

12th-century castle set in extensive parkland. The interior rooms and exhibitions are ticketed, but the grounds, gardens, and outer courtyards are free to explore.

🕐 Grounds open daily 9am to dusk. Castle interior: 9:15am–5:30pm daily (ticketed, €8 adult).

💡 The formal rose garden and woodland walk behind the castle are usually quiet in the late afternoon. Free guided tours of the estate grounds run at 2pm on weekends in summer.

A free walking route linking key medieval sites like the castle, cathedral, and three historic churches, with plaques explaining the history.

🕐 Always accessible

💡 Pick up a free map from the tourist office on Rose Inn Street. Do the walk early morning (before 10am) to avoid crowds and get photos without people in the way.

Self-guided route marked by bronze medallions, covering medieval lanes, the canal, bridges, and historic gates. Takes about 90 minutes.

🕐 24/7

💡 Download the free map from Kilkenny Tourism office on The Parade—picks up the less obvious nooks like Grace's Castle Lane.

Former church turned museum covering Kilkenny's medieval history via tombstones, carvings, and a full-size model of the old city. Free on the first Wednesday of every month.

🕐 Daily 10am-5pm

💡 Go on that free Wednesday—arrive by 10am to beat the small crowds. The audio guide costs a couple of euros but adds detail.