Top Things to do in County Kilkenny
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Things to do in County Kilkenny, Province of Leinster: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in County Kilkenny, Ireland including Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Duiske Abbey, Jerpoint Park, Kilkenny Famine Experience, Kilkenny Castle, Callan Workhouse, Mount Juliet Estate, Kilkenny Old Jail and Courthouse, Rothe House and Garden, Talbot Tower.
Restaurants in County Kilkenny
1. Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
2. Duiske Abbey
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By zimmys57 - Delavan, United States
This 800 year plus old restored Abbey was totally amazing to see. On the outside it is an impressive stone structure with adjoining cemetery that you cannot not miss as you drive into Graiguenamanagh. As you enter the inside even more spectacular is the high wooden ceiling, the beautiful stained glass windows, and the impressive pipe organ. We were so glad we explored off the beaten path and discovered this historical landmark.
3. Jerpoint Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 286 reviews
Welcome to Jerpoint Park, where we strive to immerse you in a unique experience of heritage and culture in a very special destination Thomastown in Kilkenny , south east of Ireland. Unearth the history of Jerpoint Park with a guided tour of the footprints of a deserted 12th century medieval town. When it was founded near a crossing point on the River Nore near the Cistercian Jerpoint Abbey. The site also contains the Tomb Effigy of St. Nicholas (Bishop of Myra) plus the Church of St. Nicholas. "One of Irelands's best examples of a deserted 12th century medieval town" a quote from The Heritage Council of Ireland. Angling on the River Nore for wild salmon & wild brown trout from March - September ( rods & bait available for hire). Sheep dog demonstrations is a wonderful event to see. Tour times daily at 10.30am & 2.30pm from 1st April - 28th Ocbotber 2018.
Reviewed By S1355SKmarieg
A most intriguing and memorable historical tour in the company of Joe, the owner of Belmore, who was a welcoming and entertaining guide to the ancient church, graveyard and lost medieval town on his lands. He explained that the thriving town once boasted houses, inns, water mill, brewery, woollen mill, tannery, holy well, courthouse and even a tolled bridge across the river, but that its real claim to fame was its renown as a site of pilgrimage to the man we know as Santa Claus. The crusading knights who brought the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra to Jerpoint Park some 800 years ago can still be seen in the tomb effigies in the old graveyard which show the saint with his hands raised in prayer, flanked by two crusader heads. Walking the land, it is possible to see where the old streets ran towards the marketplace, with the ruined remains of houses giving a sense of the scale of this once prosperous town. Over time, religious upheavals, plague and war all took their toll, and Jerpoint Park fell into decline. Laying still and silent for hundreds of years, it is now being rediscovered, and recognised for the richness of its history and its yet-to-be-unfolded secrets. I will be following developments as historians and archaeologists study the site, and in the meantime, I promised Santa to be a good girl and spread the word about it!
4. Kilkenny Famine Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By gmrgill
Would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting Kilkenny! It starts inside the shopping centre, it's free but you need to either bring your own earbuds or pay €2 per person for a disposable pair. You're given a mini tablet and told to follow numbered signs around the area, then select the corresponding number on the touchscreen to listen to the audio/watch the video describing the history of that place. It tells the story of two young boys who arrived at the workhouse which once stood where the shopping centre is now located. The tour takes about 45 minutes and ends in the lovely famine memorial garden outside the centre. Only available in English but very accessible.
5. Kilkenny Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,363 reviews
Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years. Today, Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle
Reviewed By M4474IDtomk
A must see in Kilkenny ....really great experience. Very friendly welcoming staff....who managed visiting during Covid really well. The castle itself is magnificent ...we were on a self guided tour and I would strongly recommend engaging with the staff in the rooms ...very knowledgeable and made our visit a truly memorable one.
6. Callan Workhouse
7. Mount Juliet Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By apapamurphy - Killarney, Ireland
Had a fabulous two nights at Mount Juliet for the first time. The staff were attentive and unassuming, but always there when needed while following all current protocols. John gave us great advice on walks and we were regaled with history stories of the house from Des. The food in both Lady Helen and The Hound was excellent. We’ll definitely be back!
8. Kilkenny Old Jail and Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By JAJAYtravellers - Bathurst, Australia
It was delight to see so many of the old buildings in this city, the history is amazing and they have been well maintained for the age of them.
9. Rothe House and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 506 reviews
A magnificent 17th century Irish merchant's townhouse & garden in the centre of Kilkenny city, open as a museum, garden, genealogy centre, book and gift shop. We open throughout the year: seven days a week in summer, six in winter. Paying visitors supports the ongoing maintenance works at Rothe House and Gardens.
Reviewed By johnmcguigan61 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
Rothe House is a hidden gem and on the day we visited was bathed in glorious sunshine which added to the garden experience. The site spans three buildings to reflect the growth of the family and the garden was a working garden to support the family over the seasons. The hidden story of Kilkenny's role in the flight of the earls and reformation is brought to life while the garden is hosting many plants and fruits not generally available as a consequence of commercial fruit production. No visit to Killkenny can be complete without a visit to this noble venture.
10. Talbot Tower
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