The South Leinster Way runs through Mullinavat; Mullinavat Corn Mill dates from around 1800. Together with churches, historic buildings and landscape features, this gives a concrete impression of what can shape a stay in Mullinvat. Its location on the N9 is also useful for orientation: the road connects Waterford with Carlow and Dublin.
Trails and historic buildings
Saint Beacon’s Catholic Church in Garrandarragh, Mullinavat, was rebuilt in the late 19th century, incorporating fabric from an earlier building dating from the early 19th century. Mullinavat Corn Mill is a mill complex dating from around 1800. It includes a detached, three-bay, three-storey mill with an attic. The railway station and bridge add to this built heritage: Mullinavat railway station opened in 1853 and was designed as a symmetrical, classical, T-shaped building with two projecting end bays. East of the town, Mullinavat Bridge carries a local road over the Black Water; the multi-arch bridge also opened in 1853.
The dates make a useful comparison: the mill complex dates from around 1800, fabric from an earlier building dating from the early 19th century survives in the church, and the station and bridge opened in 1853. For travellers interested in architecture, this offers a range of features, from a mill building with a precisely described layout to classical and multi-arch forms.
Hills, rivers and a waterfall
Tory Hill reaches 290 metres above sea level. From the summit, there are views across the counties of Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Tipperary and Carlow. The Pollanassa and Blackwater rivers also shape the landscape: several species protected under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive are associated with both rivers, including otters, kingfishers, white-clawed crayfish, dippers, salmon and lampreys.
Poulanassy Waterfall forms a cascade where a river flows over a rock ledge; the waterfall is about two miles southwest of Mullinavat. The location of the Poulanassy Waterfall Visitor Car Park and Walking Trail is different: these visitor facilities are about two kilometres west of Mullinavat and were officially opened on 27 May 2022. When planning a visit, it is advisable to check the current conditions for the facilities.
Dolmens, stones and local tradition
Leac an Scail, the “Warrior’s Stone,” is a portal tomb in Harristown, on the edge of the townland of Kilmogue, five miles from Mullinavat. The Three Friars refers to three pillar stones at the crossroads known as the Three Friars, three miles southeast of Mullinavat. The stones are painted white. According to local tradition, three monks were murdered there by Cromwell’s soldiers in 1651. These represent two distinct archaeological features: a portal tomb and three pillar stones associated with a historical story.
Culture in the wider destination of County Kilkenny
For a broader cultural itinerary, the wider destination of County Kilkenny offers other distinct attractions. Rothe House was built in 1594 in Kilkenny city as the place of business and family home of John Rothe Fitzpiers. Guided tours with expert guides are available, as are self-guided visits to the house, courtyards and garden during opening hours.
Jerpoint Cistercian Abbey in County Kilkenny was founded in the 12th century and is one of the finest examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Ireland. It is known for detailed stone sculptures dating from the 13th to the 16th century. Children can enjoy a treasure hunt at the nearby visitor centre. These attractions add further cultural highlights in County Kilkenny to the local history of buildings and landscape, without attributing them to Mullinavat itself.
Plan your stay and accommodation search
When searching for hotels in Mullinvat, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your stay: local and architectural history, landscape and trails, or additional cultural sites in County Kilkenny.
Discover more destinations: Kilkenny, Urlingford, Ballyragget, Castlecomer, Bennettsbridge, Mooncoin, Thomastown, Slieveroe
View the wider travel guide: County Kilkenny.
