Co. Kilkenny, South East

Kilkenny is a land of achingly beautiful valleys where elegant rivers weave their way through a rich countryside spiced by handsome hills. So naturally it's a place whose people care passionately about their county, and the miniature city at its heart. For Kilkenny - the Marble City - is one of Ireland's oldest cities, and proud of it. Its array of ancient buildings is unrivalled. But, by today's standards of population, this gem of a place is scarcely a city at all. Yet it's a city in every other way, with great and justified pride in its corporate status.

Civic pride is at the heart of it, and the city is benefitting from the refurbishment of its ancient quay walls along the River Nore, and the increase in pedestrian zones. Enjoying its reputation as a major centre for civilisation and culture for well over 1500 years, Kilkenny city thrives on a diverse mixture of public debates about conservation, arts festivals, and a comedy festival of international standing.

Rivers define the county. Almost the entire eastern border is marked by the Barrow, which becomes ever more spectacularly lovely as it rolls gently through the beautiful Graiguenamanagh, then thrusts towards the sea at the tiny river port of St Mullins. The southern border is marked by the broad tidal sweep of the Suir, and this fine county is divided diagonally by the meandering of the most beautiful river of all, the Nore.

Invaders inevitably progressed up its tree-lined course past what is now the lovely river village of Inistioge, towards the ancient site of Kilkenny city itself. They quickly became Kilkenny folk in the process, for this is a land to call home.



Local Attractions and Information

Callan Edmund Rice House +353 (0)56 772 5993

Gowran Gowran Park Racecourse +353 (0)56 772 6225

Inistioge Woodstock Gardens +353 (0)56 52699

Graiguenamanagh Cushendale Woollen Mills +353 (0)59 972 4118

Kilkenny Kilkenny Castle +353 (0)56 772 1450

Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival (May) +353 (0)56 776 3416

Kilkenny Rothe House (16c house, exhibitions) +353 (0)56 772 2893

Kilkenny City Tourist Information +353 (0)56 775 15000

Thomastown Jerpoint Abbey +353 (0)56 772 4623

Thomastown Kilfane Glen & Waterfall +353 (0)56 772 4558

Thomastown Mount Juliet Gardens +353 (0)56 777 3000

Tullaroan Kilkenny GAA Museum +353 (0)56 69202

Gardens

Killurney Garden - Clonmel County Tipperary Ireland
Killurney Garden
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
A serene 1880 farmhouse with views south to the Comeraghs, a crystal stream flowing from Slieve Namon and the ruins of a 16th century church are some of the blessings of Killurney Garden. Complement them with imaginative design and the knowledge ...

Golf

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Mount Juliet Golf Club
Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
Course Type: Parkland
Opened in 1991 with a match featuring golfing legends Christy O'Connor Snr. and Jack Nicklaus, the beautiful and challenging Nicklaus designed Mount Juliet course located 19km (12 miles) south of Kilkenny City has established itself as one of Ire ...

Self Catering

Blanchville House - Self Catering - Maddoxtown County Kilkenny Ireland
The Coachyard & Gardener's Cottage at Blanchville House
Maddoxtown, Co. Kilkenny
The delightful Victorian Coach House in the grounds of Blanchville House has been sensitively converted to provide three very comfortable self-catering units. Situated five miles (8km), 10 minute's drive from the Medieval City of Kilkenny and ...

What's On

Kilkenny Farmers Market - Every Thursday
Event Name:    Kilkenny Farmers Market - Every Thursday, 9.30am - 2.30pm

at Mayors Walk, The Parade, Kilkenny City, Kilkenny

Event Details:   ...

Tourist Attractions

Famine Warhouse - Ballingarry County Tipperary Ireland
Famine Warhouse
Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary
During the Great Famine the Warhouse was a key location in the 1848 Rebellion when rebels under the leadership of the Protestant aristocrat, William Smith O?Brien, M.P. pursued and besieged 47 police who barricaded themselves into the McCormack f ...

Wedding Venues

Wedding
Ballykealey Manor Hotel
Ballon, Co. Carlow
This pleasing country house hotel designed by Thomas A Cobden (designer of Carlow cathedral) was built in the 1830s and, with gothic arches and Tudor chimney stacks among its architectural oddities, it has plenty of character. This wedding ve ...
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