Kilkenny Castle
Category: Families, Kids, Outdoors, Rainy Day, Culture, Sightseeing
Type: Castles, Historic Homes & Sites, Parks & Gardens, Visitor Centres, Tours, General Attractions
Kilkenny
Co Kilkenny
Co Kilkenny
Tel: +353 56 770 4100
Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.
12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands
Kilkenny Castle
Georgina Campbell
Kilkenny Castle is a 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. Kilkenny Castle was built to control a fording-point of the River Nore and the junction of several routeways and was a symbol of Norman occupation. In its original thirteenth-century condition it would have formed an important element of the defences of the town with four large circular corner towers and a massive ditch, part of which can still be seen today on the Parade.
Following major restoration works the central block now includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830's splendour, as well as the beautiful Long Gallery. A suite of former servant's rooms is the Butler Art Gallery, which mounts frequently changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
The gardens and parkland adjoining the castle are open to the public and the Parade Tower is the Castle's conference venue.
Following major restoration works the central block now includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830's splendour, as well as the beautiful Long Gallery. A suite of former servant's rooms is the Butler Art Gallery, which mounts frequently changing exhibitions of contemporary art.
The gardens and parkland adjoining the castle are open to the public and the Parade Tower is the Castle's conference venue.
Opening Time:
Open daily, year round (closed Good Friday). October-February 9.30am-4.30pm; March 9.30am-5pm; April-May 9.30am-5.30pm; June-August 9am-5.30pm; September 9.30am-5.30pm.
Admission Charge:
Adults €6; Child (6+)/Student €2.50; OAP/Group €4; Family €14.
Map markers
You are here
Distance
- 10km
- 25km
- 50km
Directions
City centreView Similar Tourist Attractions
- Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
- Desmond Hall
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
- Government Buildings
- Kilkenny Castle
- Trim Castle
- Portumna Castle & Gardens
- Blarney Castle
- Jameson Experience Midleton
- Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
- Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
- Casino Marino
- Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
- Athenry Castle
- Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
- National Transport Museum
- Skibbereen Heritage Centre
- Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
- Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
- Listowel Castle
- National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
- Swiss Cottage
- Aviva Stadium
- Craggaunowen - The Living Past
- National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
- Saint Patricks Cathedral
- Phoenix Park
- Dingle Oceanworld
- National Gallery of Ireland
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
- Russborough House
- Glenveagh National Park
- Somme Heritage Centre
- Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
- Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
- Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
- Adare Heritage Centre
- Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
- Scattery Island Centre
- Titanic Belfast
- Donegal County Museum
- Giants Causeway
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- The Hunt Museum
- Old Mellifont Abbey
- Viking Splash Tours
- House of Waterford Crystal
- Desmond Castle
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
- Battle of the Boyne
- Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
- Museum at the Mill
- Dwyer McAllister Cottage
- Killarney National Park
- Patrick Pearses Cottage
- Arigna Mining Experience
- National Photographic Archive
- Belfast Zoo
- Clonmacnoise
- Foynes Flying Boat Museum
- The Old Jameson Distillery
- Galway Atlantaquaria
- Ceide Fields
- Tayto Park
- Sligo Abbey
- Glasnevin Museum
- Eagles Flying
- Hugh Lane Gallery
- Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
- Ennis Friary
- Dungarvan Castle
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- Doneraile Wildlife Park
- Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
- Ulster Museum
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Cobh Heritage Centre
- Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
- Rothe House & Garden
- Ross Castle
- Skerries Mills
- Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
- Lusk Heritage Centre
- National Sea Life Centre
- National Leprechaun Museum
- Ormond Castle
- John F Kennedy Arboretum
- Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
- Little Museum of Dublin
- Garylough Mill
- Rock of Cashel
- Dunbrody Famine Ship
- Reginalds Tower
- Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
- Castlecomer Discovery Park
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
- Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
- Enniskillen Castle Museum
- Adare Castle
- Bushmills Distillery
- The Ark
- Chester Beatty Library
- Caherconnell Fort
- Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
- Maynooth Castle
- Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
- The Butlers Chocolate Experience
- St Marys Abbey
- Boyle Abbey
- National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
- Hill of Tara
- Guinness Storehouse
- Mizen Head Signal Station
- Clare Museum
- Derrynane House
- The Main Guard
- Crag Cave
- Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
- Ardfert Cathedral
- Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
- Castle Ward House & Demesne
- Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
- Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
- National Wax Museum Plus
- Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
- Dublin Zoo
- National Library of Ireland
- Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
- Fort Lucan
- Parkes Castle
- Malahide Castle
- Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
- Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
- Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
- Dunmore Cave
- St Marys Church
- Dublinia
- Ballycroy National Park
- Skellig Michael
- Aras an Uachtarain
- Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
- Jerpoint Abbey
- Barryscourt Castle
- Glendalough
- Croke Park & GAA Museum
- Tower Museum
- Burren National Park
- Carrickfergus Museum
- St Stephens Green
- Funtasia Bettystown
- Avondale House & Forest Park
- Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
- Galway City Museum
- Ulster American Folk Park
- Charles Fort
- Famine Warhouse
- Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
- Farmleigh House & Estate
- Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
- The Science Gallery
- Ferns Castle
- Florence Court
- Armagh Planetarium
- Aughnanure Castle
- Coole Park
- Dun Aonghasa
- Emo Court
- Iveagh Gardens
- Connemara National Park
- Cahir Castle
- Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
- Leopardstown Racecourse
- Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
- Ballyhack Castle
- Thomond Park Stadium
- Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
- The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
- Kerry County Museum
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
- Donegal Castle
- VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
- Navan Centre & Fort
- King Johns Castle
- Aillwee Cave
- Funtasia Waterpark
- Larne Museum & Arts Centre
- Castletown House
- King House
- Natural History Museum
- Tintern Abbey
- National Concert Hall
- Rathfarnham Castle
- Dromore Wood
- Dublin Castle
- Armagh County Museum
- Queens University
- The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
Local Recommendations
Hospitality
- Kilkenny Design Centre
(0.0km)NW - Ristorante Rinuccini
(0.1km)NW - Butler House
(0.1km)SW - Rive Gauche
(0.2km)NW - Zuni Restaurant & Boutique Hotel
(0.2km)NW - Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel & Harpers Restaurant
(0.2km)NW - Kilkenny River Court Hotel
(0.2km)NE - Pembroke Kilkenny
(0.2km)SW - The Grapevine Wine and Tapas Bar
(0.2km)NW - Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
(0.3km)NW - Aroi Kilkenny
(0.3km)NW - Higgs Field Restaurant
(0.4km)NW - Petronella Restaurant
(0.4km)NW - Butcher Steakhouse
(0.4km)NW - Truffles Restaurant and Wine Bar
(0.4km)NW - Langton House Hotel
(0.4km)NE - Marble City Bar
(0.5km)NW - Gourmet Store, The
(0.5km)NW - La Rivista
(0.6km)NW - Foodworks Café
(0.7km)NW
Self Catering
- The Coachyard & Gardener's Cottage at Blanchville House
(8.2km)SE - Kilmokea Country Manor & Gardens - Coach House & Garden Suite
(43.0km)SE - Fruit Hill Holiday Cottages - The Coach House, Kirby's & The Garden Cottage
(43.3km)SE - Roundwood House - The Forge & The Cottage
(45.9km)NW - Waterford Castle Lodges
(45.9km)SE - Kilmaneen Farmhouse & Cottage
(57.3km)SW
Farmers Markets
- Kilkenny - Every Thursday
(0.2km)NW - Carlow - Carlow - Saturdays
(29.9km)NE - New Ross - County Wexford - Saturdays
(35.0km)SE - Carrick on Suir - County Tipperary - Fridays
(35.5km)SW - Thurles - County Tipperary - Saturdays
(38.9km)NW - Athy - County Kildare - Sundays
(42.0km)NE - Templemore Famers - Co Tipperary - Wednesdays
(42.7km)NW - Portlaoise - Co Laois - Fridays
(42.9km)NW - Waterford - Co Waterford - Saturdays
(44.2km)SE - Clonmel Premier Organic - Co Tipperary - Fridays
(44.4km)SW - Clonmel - County Tipperary - Saturdays
(44.7km)SW - Dunbrody - County Wexford
(45.2km)SE - Ardkeen Food Producers - Waterford - Second Sunday each month
(46.2km)SE - Enniscorthy - County Wexford - Saturdays
(49.2km)SE - Kilmacthomas - Co Waterford - Fridays
(50.7km)SW - Cahir - County Tipperary - Saturdays
(54.9km)SW - Birr - The Full Moon - Co Offaly - every 3rd Sunday
(66.7km)NW
Tourist Attractions
-
Kilkenny Castle
(0.0km)SE -
Rothe House & Garden
(0.7km)SE -
Dunmore Cave
(9.4km)SE -
St Marys Church
(12.6km)SE -
Jerpoint Abbey
(16.6km)SE -
Castlecomer Discovery Park
(17.8km)SE -
Famine Warhouse
(22.0km)SE -
VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
(30.2km)SE -
Dunbrody Famine Ship
(34.9km)SE -
Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
(35.1km)SE -
Ormond Castle
(35.5km)SE -
John F Kennedy Arboretum
(42.3km)SE -
Reginalds Tower
(44.1km)SE -
House of Waterford Crystal
(44.4km)SE -
Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
(44.6km)SE -
Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
(44.9km)SE -
The Main Guard
(45.0km)SE -
Rock of Cashel
(45.6km)SE -
Ballyhack Castle
(49.0km)SE -
Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
(50.1km)SE -
Tintern Abbey
(53.7km)SE -
Cahir Castle
(55.1km)SE -
Swiss Cottage
(55.9km)SE -
Dwyer McAllister Cottage
(57.9km)SE
Golf Courses
- Kilkenny Golf Club
(2.4km) NE - Gowran Park Golf Club
(12.5km) SE - Mount Juliet Golf Club
(14.0km) SE - Castlecomer Golf Club
(16.5km) NE - Carlow Golf Club
(33.3km) NE - Mount Wolseley Golf Club
(38.3km) NE - Kilkea Castle Golf Resort
(40.8km) NE - Waterford Golf Club
(43.1km) SE - Faithlegg Golf Club
(45.9km) SE - Waterford Castle Golf Club
(45.9km) SE - Rathsallagh Golf Club
(54.8km) NE
Gardens
- Mount Juliet & Garden
(14.0km)SE - Kilfane Glen & Waterfall
(15.0km)SE - Woodstock Gardens
(22.1km)SE - Heywood Gardens
(25.9km)NW - Delta Sensory Garden
(31.1km)NE - Killurney Garden
(34.7km)SW - Ballon Garden
(35.0km)NE - Altamont
(36.6km)NE - Hardymount
(36.8km)NE - Duckett's Grove Walled Garden and Pleasure Grounds
(37.4km)NE - Gash Gardens
(39.9km)NW - Newtownbarry House Gardens
(40.5km)NE - Coolaught Gardens
(42.2km)SE - Kilmokea Gardens
(43.0km)SE - Fairbrook House Gardens & Museum of Contemporary Figurative Art
(45.3km)SE - Burtown House Gardens
(45.4km)NE - Mount Congreve
(45.7km)SE - Bellefield
(58.5km)NW - Birr Castle Demesne
(66.8km)NW
Nearby Towns/Areas
- Kilkenny
(0.3km) SW - Wallslough
(5.1km) SE - Cuffesgrange
(6.5km) SW - Bennettsbridge
(7.6km) SE - Maddoxtown
(8.3km) SE - Dungarvan
(12.5km) SE - Gowran
(12.6km) SE - Tullaroan
(12.8km) NW - Freshford
(13.8km) NW - Thomastown
(15.7km) SE
Apps and Books
-
From Tide to Table by Georgina Campbell
Paperback edition of From Tide to Table - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Buying, Prep ...more...
Comments
There are currently no comments
Leave a comment
Not a member? Register for your free membership now!
Or leave a comment by logging in with: