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
- Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
- Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
- Casino Marino
- Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
- Famine Warhouse
- Tayto Park
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
- Enniskillen Castle Museum
- Jerpoint Abbey
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Foynes Flying Boat Museum
- Derrynane House
- Ballycroy National Park
- Craggaunowen - The Living Past
- Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
- Donegal Castle
- National Wax Museum Plus
- Adare Castle
- Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
- Scattery Island Centre
- Kerry County Museum
- Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
- Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
- Galway City Museum
- VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
- Lusk Heritage Centre
- Farmleigh House & Estate
- Donegal County Museum
- Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
- Dublin Zoo
- Sligo Abbey
- Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Patrick Pearses Cottage
- The Science Gallery
- Trim Castle
- Hugh Lane Gallery
- Battle of the Boyne
- Skerries Mills
- Florence Court
- Dunbrody Famine Ship
- Mizen Head Signal Station
- Emo Court
- National Leprechaun Museum
- Charles Fort
- Parkes Castle
- House of Waterford Crystal
- Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
- Funtasia Waterpark
- Barryscourt Castle
- Kilkenny Castle
- Dromore Wood
- Russborough House
- Armagh County Museum
- Chester Beatty Library
- Aillwee Cave
- Clonmacnoise
- Listowel Castle
- Portumna Castle & Gardens
- Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
- National Sea Life Centre
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
- Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
- Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
- Castletown House
- Doneraile Wildlife Park
- National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
- Croke Park & GAA Museum
- Boyle Abbey
- Skibbereen Heritage Centre
- Adare Heritage Centre
- Malahide Castle
- Castlecomer Discovery Park
- Dunmore Cave
- Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
- Fort Lucan
- Saint Patricks Cathedral
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Caherconnell Fort
- Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
- Ferns Castle
- Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
- Little Museum of Dublin
- Hill of Tara
- Clare Museum
- National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
- Navan Centre & Fort
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Guinness Storehouse
- Rock of Cashel
- Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
- Iveagh Gardens
- The Main Guard
- Connemara National Park
- National Transport Museum
- Desmond Castle
- Titanic Belfast
- Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
- The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
- Armagh Planetarium
- St Stephens Green
- Dun Aonghasa
- Aras an Uachtarain
- Blarney Castle
- Museum at the Mill
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
- King Johns Castle
- Rothe House & Garden
- Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
- Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
- Dingle Oceanworld
- National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
- Ballyhack Castle
- Skellig Michael
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
- Glendalough
- Viking Splash Tours
- Galway Atlantaquaria
- Coole Park
- John F Kennedy Arboretum
- Glasnevin Museum
- National Library of Ireland
- Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
- Somme Heritage Centre
- Athenry Castle
- Burren National Park
- Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
- Crag Cave
- Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
- Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
- Queens University
- Ulster American Folk Park
- Natural History Museum
- Ormond Castle
- Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
- Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Tintern Abbey
- Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
- Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
- Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
- Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
- The Butlers Chocolate Experience
- Ardfert Cathedral
- Larne Museum & Arts Centre
- Jameson Experience Midleton
- The Hunt Museum
- Rathfarnham Castle
- Ulster Museum
- Dungarvan Castle
- National Gallery of Ireland
- Old Mellifont Abbey
- Dwyer McAllister Cottage
- National Concert Hall
- Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
- Government Buildings
- Leopardstown Racecourse
- Eagles Flying
- Garylough Mill
- Cobh Heritage Centre
- St Marys Abbey
- Thomond Park Stadium
- Giants Causeway
- Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
- Phoenix Park
- Maynooth Castle
- Dublinia
- Ross Castle
- Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
- The Old Jameson Distillery
- Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
- The Ark
- Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
- Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
- Dublin Castle
- St Marys Church
- Belfast Zoo
- Desmond Hall
- Aviva Stadium
- Avondale House & Forest Park
- Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
- Ceide Fields
- Carrickfergus Museum
- Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
- Swiss Cottage
- Castle Ward House & Demesne
- Funtasia Bettystown
- Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
- Arigna Mining Experience
- National Photographic Archive
- Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- King House
- Killarney National Park
- Bushmills Distillery
- Cahir Castle
- Reginalds Tower
- Glenveagh National Park
- The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
- Tower Museum
- Ennis Friary
- Aughnanure Castle
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
-
Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Best of the Best
A selective companion guide to our famous broad-based online collection, the ‘glovebox bib ...more... -
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: