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View of Kilkenny Castle on a sunny day, Ireland

Things to do in  Kilkenny

A little knight music

On the banks of the River Nore, the medieval city of Kilkenny was established in a time where lords, Vikings, knights, and nobles roamed the land. Today, sites such as Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower, the Black Abbey, and Jerpoint Abbey, make up the Irish city's most popular attraction, the Medieval Mile. Some additional best things to do in Kilkenny include Smithwick's Experience and Castlecomer Discovery Park, as well as day trips to the Wicklow Mountains, Waterford, and Dublin.

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Top 2 attractions in Kilkenny

St. Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower
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St. Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower

The vast Gothic cathedral of St. Canice is named in honor of a sixth-century Irish abbot and preacher and sits on the site of a church dating right back to that time. Completed in 1285, it is a prominent landmark in the charming – and tiny – Irish city of Kilkenny, which in the sixth century was the main settlement of the ancient Kingdom of Ossary. The town grew to be a Catholic center of some importance in Ireland, which explains the presence of the country’s second-largest cathedral. Complete with rose windows and slender spires, the exterior of the cathedral is built of limestone, and on sunny days its interior is aglow with light that sparkles on the patterned marble floors from the stained-glass windows. Among its treasures are several unusual 17th-century tomb chests and the reputed stone throne of St Kieran, a fifth-century bishop. St. Canice also houses the Great War Memorial List, containing the names of all Irishmen who died in World War I. The slender, 98.5-foot (30-meter) round tower adjacent to the church was built in the ninth century and originally acted as a look-out tower to protect the residents of Kilkenny and their precious religious sites. It can be climbed by a steep internal stairway for views over the medieval rooftops of the city center.

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When to visit

If you prefer warmer weather, a visit to Kilkenny in summer is best, with high temps not usually reaching above 68°F (20°C), making it ideal weather to stroll the city on foot—the preferred method of travelers. However, winter can be a great time for a visit with the city’s annual Yulefest Christmas Market, which features live holiday-inspired Irish music and dance, parades, and light-up Christmas decorations. Kilkenny’s 4-day St. Patrick’s Day Festival is also not to be missed.

Getting around

Because of Kilkenny’s size, most visitors prefer to walk the city on foot—hence the city’s well-known walking route, the Medieval Mile—but it’s also easy to bike as there are plenty of spots to lock your bike, and bike rentals are available throughout the city. If you don’t feel like walking, taxis are also fairly easy to find, and if you have a car, you can access multiple car parking areas.

Traveler tips

Fans of witchcraft, the paranormal, and good food and drink should drop by the Kytelers Inn on St. Kieran's Street. The inn's history reaches back to the 13th century when its first owner was convicted of witchcraft, and some workers have had paranormal experiences there themselves. It looks the medieval part, from its stone walls to stained-glass windows. If you make it on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night, enjoy live, traditional Irish music.

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People Also Ask
Q:What is Kilkenny best known for?
A:

Kilkenny is best known for being the Marble City due to its marble-laid footpaths. It’s also famous for its medieval buildings, such as Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower. Sports fans know the city for its popular hurling team.

Q:Is Kilkenny Ireland worth visiting?
A:

Yes, Kilkenny is definitely worth a visit. It’s less than a 2-hour drive from Dublin and gives travelers a relaxing break from the hustle of the big city. Plus, it’s packed with must-see attractions such as Kilkenny Castle, the Black Abbey, Dunmore Cave, the Smithwick's Experience, and Castlecomer Discovery Park.

Q:Which is better Galway or Kilkenny?
A:

It depends what you're looking for. Galway and Kilkenny both feature medieval sites, like castles and cathedrals. Galway is a harbor city, while Kilkenny is on a river. Both cities provide shopping and pub stops, but Galway offers outdoor spaces like Connemara National Park and Barna Woods to explore.

Q:Is Kilkenny Ireland walkable?
A:

Yes, parts of Kilkenny are walkable, and some attractions are accessible on foot. The city's walking route called the Medieval Mile takes you around to some of Kilkenny’s most impressive medieval sites. You can also easily walk to shops and restaurants in the main area of the city.

Q:How long should I spend in Kilkenny?
A:

Two days in Kilkenny should suffice as you can fit in the Medieval Mile, Kilkenny Castle, and cathedral visits in one day, and leave the other for other activities like exploring the Butter Slip alley shops, cruising down the Canal Walk, and grabbing an Irish meal at a local pub.

Q:Should I get euros before going to Kilkenny?
A:

Yes, you should have some euros when going to Kilkenny, or anywhere in the Republic of Ireland. You don't always need to rely on euros, though, as long as you have a bank card to use. Just make sure the card you’re using waives international fees before you swipe it.

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