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  • Castle Yard

Things To Do in Kilkenny

Things To Do in Kilkenny

Visit Kilkenny City 

Kilkenny, in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, offers a broad range of activities and attractions to visit.

Visit the dedicated Kilkenny pages to give you a flavour of our lovely city and county.

Every corner of Kilkenny has something unique to showcase’ so whether you want More to Explore, More to Excite, More to Amaze or More to Enjoy, you will find it in Kilkenny. If you are travelling as a family, Kilkenny Tourism has collated a range of wonderful things to do.

Kilkenny City is characterised by its beautifully restored old buildings and winding slipways, contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants.  It is also small and compact enough to explore on foot making it ideal for short hotel breaks. The Normans arrived in the 12th century and their legacy the ancient city of Kilkenny – from the Gaelic ‘Cill Cearmaigh’ (named after a 6th century monk called Saint Canice). His memory lives on in the beautifully preserved St. Canice’s Cathedral built overlooking the city in the thirteenth century. Kilkenny, renowned for the superb and fully restored Kilkenny Castle is a thriving and cosmopolitan merchant city, who’s unique selection of historic sites and buildings from the 7th century onwards reflects a tradition of monastic settlement and gracious living.

Our Reception Team will be more than happy to assist with any other types of attractions/activities that you are looking for in the sunny South-East upon check-in.

BOAT TRIPS KILKENNY

We would highly recommend Kilkenny Boat Trips who are located on the River Nore just outside our hotel. Running every half hour from April to October.

KILKENNY MEDIEVAL PASS
Pay only €39 for over €100 worth of entries and offers! One pass, many attractions to enjoy in the City.

KILKENNY CASTLE
Overlooking the Kilkenny River Court Hotel, a 12th Century castle, which has been remodelled and fully restored. Visitors can take a tour of the Castle itself or simply stroll the magnificent gardens and Castle Park. Located just a 7 minute walk from the hotel.

CASTLE YARD
Situated opposite Kilkenny Castle, these former stables and coach houses are owned by Kilkenny Civic Trust and include craft studios, workshops and the famous Kilkenny Design Centre. Castleyard Tours commencing soon. Located 6 minutes walk from the hotel.

ROTHE HOUSE & GARDEN
Rothe House & Garden, a historic house in Kilkenny in the South East of Ireland, is the only example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland. It is an important element of Kilkenny’s heritage. An 8 minute walk from the hotel.

ST CANICE'S CATHEDRAL & ROUND TOWER

St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower are an essential part of the structural heritage in the vibrant medieval city of Kilkenny. This ecclesiastical site was founded in the 6th century and named after St Canice. Cill Channigh is the Gaelic for the Church of Canice, the church that originally stood on the site in the 6th century.

WOODSTOCK GARDENS, ARBORETUM & TEA ROOMS

Woodstock is well known for its collection of trees from all over the world and is home to many ‘champions’. See one of the longest Monkey Puzzle Avenues in Europe, a ‘Champion Coast redwood, the tallest Silver Fir in Ireland and a very rare and important Bentham Cypress. After all that, sit back and relax taking in the spectacular views in the recently opened Tea Rooms.

CASTLECOMER DISCOVERY PARK

Visit Castlecomer Discovery Park, 30 hectares of mixed woodland in the south-east of Ireland just 20kms North of the medieval city of Kilkenny and 24kms from Carlow town. The visitor centre also plays host to a delightful gift shop and the superb Café Jarrow.

GOWRAN PARK RACECOURSE

Gowran Park is the perfect place to enjoy the excitement and spectacle of a day at the races. Dine in the rooftop restaurant and experience the thrill of the horses crossing the finishing line. This Grade A racecourse has had numerous famous winners such as the legendary Arkle, Hedgehunter and Kicking King. As the preferred Hotel for the track, we have a great package available on all race days

WATERGATE THEATRE KILKENNY

The Watergate Theatre is located right in the heart of Kilkenny City and only a short stroll from the Kilkenny River Court Hotel. The Watergate has been keeping audiences entertained for many years with a variety of live productions from music, dance, comedy and lots more.  The event guide for the Theatre has an array of shows and events and the Kilkenny River Court Hotel is delighted to recommend a visit to the Watergate Theatre during your stay in Kilkenny. Take the opportunity to enjoy a pre theatre meal in the Riverside Restaurant at the Kilkenny River Court Hotel followed by a show in the Watergate.

THE HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL
located 40 minutes from Kilkenny, take the factory tour where you will see skilled crafts men at work as they give shape and form to the molten crystal and transform it into perfectly exquisite shapes, with expertise and craftsmanship that has taken over 200 years to develop. An opulent retail store also available here with some fabulous pieces to purchase for your home.