Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny

Graiguenamanagh, also spelled Graignamanagh (Gráig na Manach in Irish. Roughly translated - 'Grange of the Monks') is a town in County Kilkenny. It is located near the border with County Carlow on the River Barrow. It is home to the Duiske Abbey founded in 1204 from which the town gets its name. All that remains of the Cistercian monastery is the large gothic church at the time of building it was the largest Cistercian building in Ireland.

The town served as the main base for commercial barges operating on the river Barrow from the mid nineteenth century until barge traffic ceased around 1960. Nearby are the ruined remains of the monastery of Ullard, founded by Saint Fiachra in the sixth century. St Fiachra subsequently moved to France where he is known as St Fiacre and founded the celebrated monastery at Meaux. He is the patron saint of gardeners and taxi drivers; French cabs are often known as fiacres in his honour.

It is an area of fine upland scenery, panoramic views, lush deep valleys, and a maze of narrow winding country lanes. This is ideal land for walkers and there are  river trails and mountain walks and routes like the 'South Leinster Way'

The River Barrow offers plenty of related activities, such as pike, salmon and trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. You can rent a river-cruiser from Valley Boats, and explore the hidden secrets of the local waterways

Graiguenamanagh is at the centre of the south east sunshine golfing circuit, with many excellent courses nearby, such as Mount Juliet and Mount Wolseley.

For horse enthusiasts, there is horse riding at nearby Carrigbeg Riding Stables, and horse racing at nearby Gowran Park. For our more adventurous guests, Country Quads offer quad biking at Moloney's farm, Borris.

Gardens

Woodstock Gardens - Inistioge County Kilkenny Ireland
Woodstock Gardens
Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny
As garden comebacks go, there are few more dazzling than the restoration of the grounds  at Woodstock. A celebrated show piece in their Victorian heyday, the gardens, gloriously situated above the River Nore, had become a derelict. The w ...

Golf

Waterford Golf Club - Waterford City County Waterford Ireland
Waterford Golf Club
Waterford, Co. Waterford
Course Type: Parkland
Founded in 1912, Waterford Golf Club is a par 71 championship parkland golf course running over 5,722 yards and is situated on a hill overlooking the historic city of Waterford in the Sunny South East of Ireland. The front 9 was designed by W ...

Self Catering

Kilmokea Country Manor & Gardens - Coach House & Garden Suite - Self Catering
Kilmokea Country Manor & Gardens - Coach House & Garden Suite
Campile, Co. Wexford
Mark and Emma Hewlett's peaceful and relaxing late Georgian country house is set in 7 acres of Heritage Gardens, including formal walled gardens. There are two self catering properties on site - The Coach House and The Garden Suite.1). Coach Hous ...

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

TouristAttractions
John F Kennedy Arboretum
New Ross, Co. Wexford
The JFK Arboretum is a plant collection that covers 252 hectares (623 acres) on the southern slopes and summit of Slievecoiltia that is dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States from 1960 to 1963. It c ...

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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