County Kilkenny offers a range of highlights for a trip of discovery: historic houses and abbeys, a town park, a cave with limestone formations, and experiences centred on an orchard. To plan your trip, it is worth deciding first which of these themes interest you most. This will also help guide your search for suitable accommodation.
History in Kilkenny and the Park
Rothe House was built in 1594 for John Rothe Fitzpiers as a place of business and family home. The combination of these two uses makes the house a special starting point for exploring Kilkenny’s history. You can learn about Rothe House on a tour with knowledgeable guides, or visit the house, courtyards and garden on a self-guided visit during opening hours. Check the current opening hours and tour options before planning your visit.
Kilkenny Castle is in the heart of the city of Kilkenny. The castle park offers woodland paths and a children’s playground, adding a distinct focus for a visit to this historic site. Those interested in the town’s history can also take a look at the surviving medieval fortifications of Kells Priory, which inspired the local name “Seven Castles of Kells”.
Abbeys and Medieval Traces
The Cistercian abbey of Jerpoint in Thomastown was founded in the 12th century and is one of the best examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Ireland. Its detailed stone sculptures date from the 13th to the 16th century. The foundation date and sculptures offer different ways to explore the site: one points to the abbey’s early history, the other to an artistic heritage created over several centuries. Children can take part in a treasure hunt at the nearby visitor centre.
A Cave and an Orchard Experience
Dunmore Cave offers a different kind of discovery, not far from the city of Kilkenny. Its limestone chambers formed over millions of years, and remarkable calcite formations shape the cave’s geological character. A visit therefore offers a different focus from the historic sites and is a way to explore County Kilkenny’s geology alongside its architecture and history.
Highbank Orchards in Cuffesgrange combines the orchard with guided experiences: the owners lead tours and product tastings. There is also the self-guided Red Gate Tour, featuring twelve traditional red gates and gateposts. If you plan to take a tour or tasting, confirm the latest booking details in advance. For the Red Gate Tour, also check whether the route is operating, as this may change.
Choose Accommodation Based on Your Visit Priorities
A focus on Rothe House and Kilkenny Castle is different from planning a trip around Jerpoint Abbey, Kells Priory, Dunmore Cave or Highbank Orchards. Check the location of a specific accommodation in relation to the places you have chosen, rather than deciding based on the county name alone.
Discover more destinations: Inistioge, Thomastown, Kilkenny, Graiguenamanagh, Bennettsbridge, Mooncoin, Slieveroe, Gowran, Jenkinstown, Freshford, Castlecomer, Urlingford, The Rower, Piltown, Callan, Mullinvat, Ballyragget.
For the regional travel overview: Leinster.
