Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s most beautiful and historic Counties.
With its beautiful towns and villages drenched in the history of Ireland it is like a dream come true for anyone visiting Ireland.
Kilkenny has bore witness to some of Ireland’s most historic and notable events.
These events are preserved in every part of this beautiful County. Kilkenny City is one of the most amazing and vibrant Cities in Ireland.
With its bustling nightlife and wonderful hotels you will be spoilt for choice.
As you walk through the narrow and cobbled streets in the heart of Kilkenny you are surrounded by history and you are immersed in the epic legends that are told about Kilkenny during the medieval period in Ireland’s history.
The romance of William Marshal and Isabel De Clare but also the wars and sieges that nearly tore the Medieval World apart.
1. Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny City is one of Ireland’s most vibrant and exciting places to visit. It is packed full of vibrant pubs, restaurants, shops and cafes.
It’s History as a Medieval City is evident in its streets with Kilkenny Castle taking pride of place within the City Centre, Kilkenny Castle has been voted Ireland’s best Castle.
The Castle has an imposing presence, proudly telling its story as one of Ireland’s most important Norman strongholds, it was the nerve centre of Norman Ireland, telling all who pass through The Castle gates of its strength and endurance.
The Norman Conquest of Ireland saw the most powerful Norman Lords in History put their stamp on Ireland’s landscape and Kilkenny was one of the most important. Walking around the Castle it’s easy to understand why.
The Normans understood that to maintain control of a conquered land they needed strategically placed strongholds that were connected to major trade routes, the site of Kilkenny Castle ticked all those boxes.
The most infamous Norman Lord during the conquest was Strongbow, at the height of his power Strongbow’s wealth, power and influence rivalled that of the King.
The Castle today is still dominated by William Marshall’s influence, it has changed and holds influences from many eras in the Castle’s, long and dramatic life but Norman influence is evident in all the major features of Kilkenny Castle.
It’s a pleasure to walk inside a Castle that has been lovely cared for, seeing the magnificent furniture, paintings and architectural features from generations is awe inspiring.
Walking through Kilkenny Castle is like being enclosed in a time capsule and it stimulates every part of the imagination, To explore a Castle that has withstood the test of time can only be described as a privilege, its history brought to life preserved with pride for future generations.
2. Dunmore caves.
The mystical Dunmore Caves are located 6 miles north of historic City of Kilkenny on the Castlecomber Road.
The Dunmore Caves are a marvelous experience for all the family and has a wonderful tourist centre and a gift shop on the site.
To book a tour of the Dunmore Caves please phone +tel:353567767726. The Dunmore Caves are a marvel of the natural world and you are guided into the depths of Irelands premier geographic wonder.
The Caves descend 150 feet into the heart of our ancient landscape. The Dunmore Caves consist of chambers that were naturally formed over millions of years.
You will witness the wonders of nature, seeing up close the formations of stalactite, stalagmites and columns that have taken millennia to form.
The Dunmore Caves have also been referred to as one of the darkest places in Ireland, its dark recesses drawing the visitor inside the depths of this mystical location.
The Dunmore Caves are mentioned in the Irish Annals, our most historic texts, this reference is related to a Viking Massacre that occurred at this location in 928AD
3. Jerpoint Abbey
The dramatic ruins of Jerpoint Abbey are like they were plucked straight from the pages of a Medieval Legend.
Dramatically situated in the lush heartland of Kilkenny, Jerpoint Abbey is one of the finest examples of Medieval Architecture in Ireland.
When you visit Jerpoint Abbey you will have a choice of a self guided or guided tours, which takes approximately 45 minutes.
There is free car parking facilities and disabled access to most part of this site.
Jerpoint Abbey is located 2.5 km scenic drive from the medieval town of Thomastown, which is located on R448. This ruined Cistercian Abbey transports you into the past of Irelands religious communities.
The church is full of Romanesque Architectural details that date from the 12th Century.
The Abbey has a sculptured cloister with beautiful carvings that are some of the finest in Ireland. Other areas such as the Transcript and Cloisters have magnificent stone carvings.
Jerpoint Abbey is said to have been founded and constructed by Domnall Mac Patric, King of Osraige.
There are many tombs including the tomb of the last Abbot Oliver Grace. The Bishop of Ossory, Felix Dullany is also buried there. Legend also states that St Nicholas is buried here.
This once thriving Abbey fell at the hands of King Henry VIII when he declared the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
In the year 1541 Phillip and Mary Butler granted the Abbey to the Earl of Ormond.
Jerpoint Abbey has been lovely cared for by the Office of Public Works since 1880 and has now be declared a National Monument
4. The Tomb of Saint Nicholas.
Saint Nicholas of Myra was an early Christian Saint dating from the time of the Roman Empire.
He had many attributes but his legendary gift of generosity and his ability to give to those who were in need is the inspiration for the magical character we now know as Santa Claus.
Now during the Christmas season his wondrous love of giving is marvelled at by children all over the world, as they look at the skies waiting patiently for him to arrive and make their Christmas dreams come true.
The Tomb is located very close to Jerpoint Abbey, County Kilkenny.
This is one of Irelands finest Medieval Abbeys to survive the ravages of time.
Jerpoint Abbey was a Cistercian Abbey founded in the early 12thCentury.
The Abbey is located close to remains of the lost medieval town of Newtown Jerpoint.
This Medieval town which was supposedly founded by William Marshall.
It was situated on the main crossing point on the river Nore close to the Medieval toll bridge, thus the name Jerpoint “Nore Bridge”.
The Medieval town consisted of approximately 30 buildings. It is said 14 of those buildings were Taverns.
The remains of this once vibrant medieval town are still visible. Newtown, Jerpoint is one of the most historically significant sites in Ireland for academic studies in medieval settlement developments.
It’s close proximity to Jerpoint Abbey, one of Ireland’s best-preserved Medieval Cistercian Abbeys shows us that this was once one of Ireland’s most important settlements. Within the remains of Newtown Jerpoint is Medieval Parish Church of Saint Nicholas.
This Church dates from 12th Century. Although now a ruin of its former glory it is still possible to imagine what life here would have been like. It is within the Graveyard of The Church of Saint Nicholas that the Tomb of Saint Nicholas of Myra is located.
5. Kyteler’s Inn.
We highly recommend Kyteler’s Inn as a location for lunch when visiting Kilkenny, this is the favorite location of My Real Ireland to lunch when visiting Kilkenny.
Its exposed stone and historic surroundings are something amazing to behold. You are sitting down in the presence of some of the most historic and spooky tales that Kilkenny has to offer.
This Inn was established in 1324 and is one of Irelands oldest Inn’s.
This was once the home of the infamous Dame Alice Kyteler who was the first person to be condemned for witchcraft in Ireland but she escaped to England before she was burned at the stake, however her servent Petronilla De Meath was not so lucky.
\She was flogged and burned at the stake in 1324. Dame Alice Kyteler had 4 husbands, she is thought to have murdered all of them, and she stood accused of various charges connected with the art of Witchcraft.
Alice is still said to make the occasional appearance at the Inn when least expected.
6. The Hole in the Wall.
This Medieval Marvel promises to be a once in a lifetime experience. Famous for its history, nightlife and music Kilkenny has a music venue that combines the best of all of these wonderful attributes.
Located in the heart of the Medieval City, The Hole in The Wall calls the oldest surviving Town House in Ireland its home.
Originally in 1582 The Archer Inner House was an Elizabethan Tavern, The Archer Room has been lovely restored to its former Medieval Glory.
This promises to be an experience that will engulf you in story, song and laughter surrounded by history.
7. The Butter Slip
This wonderfully preserved Medieval Alley was built in 1616 and is one of the finest examples of a Medieval Street in Ireland.
This dark stone Alley with its historic steps would once have been lined with medieval butter sellers, they would have lined this cool shaded Alley selling their butter to the locals of Kilkenny.
The cool temperatures provided a perfect location for storing butter.
This Medieval Alley with its picturesque medieval arches would have originally run under 2 houses and still connects High Street to Saint Kieran’s Street.
8. St Canices Cathedral and Round Tower.
Saint Canices Cathedral and Round Tower is known locally as Kilkenny Cathedral.
Located in the heart of the Medieval City of Kilkenny this magnificent example of Medieval Religious Architecture dates back to the 13th Century holding the title of Irelands 2nd longest Cathedral after Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.
The Medieval Round Tower is 100 ft in height and an amazing example of a 9th Century Round Tower. The Cathedrals long and distinguished history has spanned more then 1000 years of Irish History seeing some of the most turbulent times in the history of Kilkenny.
The Cathedral was built on the site of a Medieval monastery. Constructed of limestone and styled in the Early Medieval Gothic style of Architecture with magnificent stained glass windows.
Kilkenny is Cill Chainnigh in Irish, which translates, to Church of Cainneach. Cromwell used the church to stable his horses during the Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland and The Cathedral played a central role in the Siege of Kilkenny.
The original church on this site was probably constructed of wood and was then replaced by a structure in the Romanesque style of architecture. The Round Tower was constructed in the 9th Century and was supposedly a watchtower.
These towers were typically constructed as safe havens for people as well as portable religious wealth.
They operated as an early warning system for impending attacks from raiders such as the Vikings. It boasts wonderful views over Kilkenny City and the surrounding countryside.
High arches form the Nave of the Cathedral lined majestically by rows of black marble cluster columns. The baptismal font is medieval in origin and the ancient stone of enrolment for Bishops is still under the seat of the medieval throne.
Held safely within the tombs of the Cathedral are the remains of the Bishops of Ossery and many owners who held Kilkenny Castle.
After the English Reformation a reformed church was established by decree of the Irish Parliament and was then the state church in the kingdom of Ireland as the Church of Ireland .
9. Black Abbey.
This ecclestical marvel is the First House of the Catholic Priory of the Dominican order that was establish in 1225 dedicated to the Holy and undivided Trinity.
The Dominican Order were more commonly known as Black Friars because of their robes, this is where the name Black Abbey hails from. Black Abbey was founded by William Marshal the Younger, the son of William Marshal “the Greatest Knight that ever lived” Earl of Pembroke.
The Marshal was married to Isabel De Clare. Isabel was the daughter of the Norman Lord Storngbow and his wife Aoife MacMurrough Princess of Leinster. Isabel was their only surviving heir and through her The Marshal inherited lands and titles.
Her extensive lands in Ireland included Kilkenny. The couple in the medieval tradition established many houses of Religious importance and this tradition was carried on by their children.
Black Abbey was one of the jewels in their Crown. Throughout its long and distinguished history Black Abbey has seen some of brightest and darkest periods in Irish History.
In 1349 bubonic plague or the black death occurred and Black Abbey was struck by this Medieval nightmare, 8 of the friars succumbed to the Black Death. The result for Black Abbey was that structural changes were few and far between until the dawning of the Elizabethan Era.
In 1558 under English rule Elizabeth1 confiscated Black Abbey as the property of the Crown. The monks, who were forced to leave, were forced to stay in houses in the surrounding areas.
Elizabeth died in 1603 and under James I nothing changed. In 1642 the Catholic King James II inherited The Crown and Black Abbey began to once again flourish.
Black Abbey played a central role on the side of the Irish Confederacy during the Crowwellian Conquest of Ireland.
Black Abbey was the location where the Irish Catholic Confederation Government had its seat.
Cromwell laid Siege to Kilkenny leading to death, starvation and disease. Black Abbey continued to change into the hands of English Monarchs.
However in 1864 Black Abbey was reconsicrated into the Catholic Faith and was reopened as a house of Religious Worship
10. The Smithwick’s Experience
Smithwick’s was founded, by John Smithwick, in 1710. This famous Irish Ale brewery is located in the historic City of Kilkenny.
This famous Brewery was a family run business until 1965 when it was brought by Guinness and is now a part of the Diaego Group.
The Historic Smithwicks Brewery was originally a Franciscan Abbey, Monks had been brewing Ale here since the 14th Century so it was a very fitting location to start what would become one of Ireland’s most beloved Ale.
At the time of this Brewery’s closure in 2013 Smithwick was the oldest Brewery in Ireland.
Production of Smithwicks Ales was moved to Dublin, this historic Brewery be now home to The Smithwicks Experience Kilkenny.
This fantastic historic site transports you into the past of one of Ireland’s most historic Ales, showing the visitor the brewing process.
You will walk through the history of the Smithwicks family and how this site developed and changed.
You will get to sample this wonderful Ale on your tour and soft drinks will be provided for visitors under 18. This is a must see on a visit to kilkenny, The medieval city in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.