Kilkenny Travel Guide: Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Round Tower and Canoeing on the Nore

Kilkenny sits on the River Nore in the southeast of Ireland, about 71 miles (115 km) from Dublin. It suits travelers who like to walk a historic city, climb a medieval tower and then get out on the river or into the countryside.

Plan that leg before anything else, and the rest of the trip falls into place.

At a glance

• Location: banks of the River Nore, southeast Ireland
• From Dublin: about 71 miles (115 km), 90 minutes
• By train from Dublin: around 1 hour 30 minutes
• Nearest airports: Cork (1 h 25 min), Shannon (1 h 40 min)
• Getting around: KK1 and KK2 city buses, every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday
• To do: Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Round Tower, canoeing on the Nore

Where is Kilkenny and what is it like?

Kilkenny city is set on the banks of the River Nore in the southeast of Ireland. Dublin is about 71 miles (115 km) away, Cork is two hours by road and Belfast is three. The city sits in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.

The city is known as the Marble City for its black limestone. Markets add to the rhythm of the week. Kilkenny Farmers Market meets at The Parade, and Thursday mornings are buzzing with locals and visitors. Out in the county, Mountain View Market is at Kiltorcan, near Ballyhale.

St Canice’s Cathedral has been a site of Christian worship since the 6th century.

What is there to do in Kilkenny?

Kilkenny Castle and the Nore Valley Walk

The Nore Valley Walk starts in the city center and follows the water for 6 miles (10 km) as a linear trail.

Because the trail is linear, you finish at a different spot from where you began. Plan how you’ll get back before you set off, and remember the KK1 and KK2 buses run through the center.

Trail Kilkenny’s walks and cycling trails are all free of charge.

St Canice’s Cathedral and the Round Tower

Beside it stands a 9th-century Round Tower, 100 feet (30 m) tall, which visitors can climb.

The climb is 121 steps, and it ends with panoramic views of the city and the countryside.

Go on a clear day, since the view is the whole point of the climb. The tower and the cathedral sit side by side, so one visit covers both.

Castlecomer Discovery Park

Castlecomer Discovery Park is an 80-acre activity park. It has a tree-top walk, archery, zip lines, climbing walls, canoeing and orienteering.

The Coal Mining Museum & Exhibition adds an interactive digital tour for those who want some local history too.

Allow a full day if you want to try several activities, and pack for the weather, since most of it is outdoors.

Canoeing on the River Nore

Kilkenny Eco Tours runs day-long and half-day canoeing trips on a 6-mile (9 km) stretch of the Nore between Thomastown and Inistioge. It takes up to 12 people, two or three per boat.

Go with the Flow, Paddle your Own Canoe and Pure Water also offer canoe or kayak experiences. Compare the length of each trip before you book.

Smithwick’s Experience and walking tours

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny is an interactive tour that ends with a tasting paddle of ales. The Kilkenny Famine Experience is a free, self-guided audio-visual tour. Dunmore Cave offers guided tours through its chambers, and Jerpoint Park runs daily guided heritage tours and sheep dog herding demonstrations.

For the city itself, Shenanigans Walking Tour is led by local historian Nevin Cody. Kilkenny Cycling Tours offers guided rides for individuals and families.

If you want history and a stroll, start with the castle, the cathedral and a walking tour. With children, Castlecomer Discovery Park and the canoe trips work well.

Where to stay in Kilkenny

For a city-center base, family-friendly options include the Newpark Kilkenny, Hotel Kilkenny, Kilkenny Ormonde and Springhill Court Hotel. Boutique stays are the Pembroke, Hibernian and Kilkenny Rivercourt hotels.

Out of town, Mount Juliet Estate is a 5-star hotel with a championship golf course, and Lyrath Estate is known for its luxury. Mountrothe House is a restored Georgian country home 15 minutes from the city, with seven en-suite bedrooms for up to 16 guests. It suits a group traveling together.

Campers and glampers have Nore Valley Park and Butterfly Valley Glamping. B&Bs, guesthouses and self-catering are also on offer across the county.

How do you get to Kilkenny and get around?

From there the JJ Kavanagh bus, Route 717, runs to Kilkenny City with stops at MacDonagh Junction and Pembroke Road. It has 10 services a day, 7 days a week. The train from Dublin to Kilkenny takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Cork Airport is 83 miles (134 km) away, about 1 hour 25 minutes by the M9. From there the Bus Éireann 226 brings you to Kent train station in the city. Shannon Airport is 100 miles (161 km) away, 1 hour 40 minutes via the M8. Belfast International is 187 miles (301 km) away, 3 hours 20 minutes via the M1. From Waterford, the JJ Kavanagh 736 runs 14 services daily, stopping in Kilkenny City and Paulstown.

Two city buses, KK1 and KK2, run every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 to 60 minutes on Sundays. KK1 goes from Loughboy Retail Park to the N77 roundabout. KK2 runs from Purcellsinch to St Luke’s Hospital. Both share a path through the center.

When should you go to Kilkenny?

June to September is the easiest window. Daytime highs run from the mid-60s°F to the high 60s°F (18 to 20°C), which suits the river path, the Round Tower climb and a day at Castlecomer. July reaches 68°F (20°C).

Winter is cooler. January highs are 47°F (8°C) with lows of 36°F (2°C), so bring layers if you visit then. April and October fall in between, with highs of 55°F (13°C) and 57°F (14°C).

What to know before visiting Kilkenny

According to travel.state.gov, no visa is required for 90 days or less for U.S. citizens in Ireland.

• Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Ireland, with 1 blank page available per stamp.
• No vaccinations are required.
• The entry and exit maximum is 10,000 euros, or approximately $11,671.
• Dual citizens of Ireland and the United States must bring travel documents for both nationalities.

Booking Kilkenny for November: what to know

Hotels in the county reported a surge in bookings in the past two weeks. Self-catering and country houses like Mountrothe House are worth checking if the city-center hotels fill up.