Castlecomer brings together several ways to explore: trails and mixed woodlands take centre stage at Discovery Park, the Visitor Centre houses an exhibition about coal mining, and practical craft workshops are offered at the Craft Yard. The options range from a short walk to a creative experience or a cultural and historical subject. You can plan your visit around whether you would rather spend time outdoors, learn about mining history or try your hand at a craft.

Trails and nature at Discovery Park

Castlecomer Discovery Park is an 80-acre discovery park in Castlecomer Demesne. Its grounds include mixed woodlands along the River Deen. Lady’s Loop offers a clearly defined short walk: the easy trail is 1.5 kilometres long and takes 20 to 30 minutes to walk. The park also has several walking trails; you can get a free walking map at reception. This lets you choose between a walk with a clear time estimate and other trails, and use the map to get an overview of the options.

Captain’s Loop is also part of Discovery Park. It is named after Captain R.H. Prior Wandesforde, a former owner of the estate. While Lady’s Loop can be described by its length and walking time, Captain’s Loop has a historical connection right in its name.

Craft and mining history

At Castlecomer Craft Yard, resident artists and craftspeople lead practical craft workshops and creative experiences. Here, making things yourself takes centre stage, unlike on a walk or a visit to an exhibition. The availability of individual workshops may change, so check before your visit whether the workshop you want is available.

Castlecomer Visitor Centre houses an exhibition about coal mining. This adds a historical focus to the trails and craft activities. If you want to divide your time in Castlecomer by theme, you can combine a walk in Discovery Park with a look at the area’s mining history.

More history in County Kilkenny

If you are considering other destinations in County Kilkenny beyond Castlecomer, there are further historical highlights. In Kilkenny city, County Kilkenny, Rothe House was built in 1594 as a place of business and family home for John Rothe Fitzpiers. Rothe House offers tours with expert guides. During opening hours, you can also explore the house, courtyards and garden on a self-guided visit. Unlike Castlecomer’s exhibition about coal mining, the focus here is on a historic house, its courtyards and its garden; you can choose between a guided tour and a self-guided visit.

In Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Jerpoint Cistercian Abbey was founded in the 12th century. It is one of the best examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Ireland and is known for detailed stone carvings dating from the 13th to the 16th century. There is a treasure hunt for children at the nearby visitor centre. The abbey offers a different cultural and historical focus from Rothe House: medieval monastic architecture and stone carvings.

Kells Priory in County Kilkenny also has its own historical connection: its surviving medieval fortifications inspired the local name “Seven Castles of Kells”.

Discover more destinations: The Rower, Freshford, Gowran, Thomastown, Jenkinstown, Piltown, Mooncoin, Ballyragget

For the broader travel overview: County Kilkenny.