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Kilkenny itineraries

Kilkenny Itineraries

Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Kilkenny, planned step by step.

Whether you have a few hours off the DART or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Kilkenny. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.

The Medieval Mile Half-Day·3-4 hoursA Full Day in Kilkenny·Full day

The Medieval Mile Half-Day

3-4 hoursYear-round

A half-day that works up the Medieval Mile, from the castle at one end to the round tower at the other, taking in the headline sights with a lunch in the middle. It is barely a mile of mostly flat street, so the walking is gentle and the history is dense, which makes it a good first afternoon or a way to see the best of the city if a day is all you have. Take it slowly and let the old streets set the pace.

First timersA short visitHistory and heritageRainy days
  1. 1
    10:00·60-75 minutes

    Kilkenny Castle

    Start at the castle on The Parade. Tour the restored State Rooms and the Long Gallery, around €8, or just walk the free parkland behind it if you would rather save the time for later.

    View Kilkenny Castle
  2. 2
    11:15·60 minutes

    The Medieval Mile Museum

    Walk up through Castle Yard and High Street to the Medieval Mile Museum in the former St Mary's Church, for the 3 Lives exhibition and a sense of the medieval city. Entry is around €8.

    View Medieval Mile Museum
  3. 3
    12:30·60 minutes

    Lunch at Kyteler's Inn

    Drop into Kyteler's Inn on St Kieran's Street for lunch in one of the oldest inns in Ireland, tied to the Alice Kyteler witchcraft story. A pint and a plate in a building that has fed people since the 1320s.

    View Kyteler's Inn
  4. 4
    13:45·60 minutes

    St Canice's Cathedral and the round tower

    Finish at the top of the mile with the 13th-century cathedral and the climb up the 9th-century round tower, 121 steps to a view over the city. The tower-inclusive ticket is around €7; check the climb is open on the day.

    View St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower

A Full Day in Kilkenny

Full dayYear-round

A full day that takes the Medieval Mile slowly in the morning, adds the brewery and a riverside walk in the afternoon, and finishes with dinner in one of the city's best rooms. It covers the castle, the museums, the round tower and the Nore without ever feeling rushed, and it leaves room to sit and watch the streets go by. Most of it is on foot through the compact centre, so wear something you can walk old lanes in.

A full dayFirst timersHistory and the riverFood and heritage
  1. 1
    09:30·90 minutes

    Kilkenny Castle and the parkland

    Begin at the castle, with the State Rooms and the Long Gallery, then take a lap of the 50 acres of free parkland behind it along the Nore. The grounds are the locals' back garden and a fine way to start.

    View Kilkenny Castle
  2. 2
    11:15·60 minutes

    The Medieval Mile Museum

    Walk up to the Medieval Mile Museum in the former St Mary's Church for the 3 Lives exhibition and the medieval story, around €8 for the self-guided audio tour.

    View Medieval Mile Museum
  3. 3
    12:30·60 minutes

    Lunch at Matt the Miller's

    Lunch at Matt the Miller's on John Street by the bridge, a busy riverside pub and a good spot for a plate and a pint before the afternoon.

    View Matt the Millers
  4. 4
    13:45·60 minutes

    The Smithwick's Experience

    Head to Parliament Street for the Smithwick's Experience, an hour through the story of the ale on the medieval St Francis Abbey site, around €20 and ending with a pint poured for you.

    View Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny
  5. 5
    15:00·60 minutes

    St Canice's round tower climb

    Climb the 9th-century round tower at St Canice's, 121 steps to the best view over the city and the Nore valley, one of only two climbable round towers in Ireland. Tower ticket around €7.

    View St Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower
  6. 6
    16:15·45 minutes

    The Canal Walk along the Nore

    Wind down with the Canal Walk, the locals' favourite short riverside stroll along the Nore past the mill races and weirs below the castle. Flat, easy and free.

    View The Canal Walk & River Nore
  7. 7
    19:00·90 minutes

    Dinner at Campagne

    Finish the day at Campagne, the city's most celebrated kitchen, for French-influenced cooking from local produce. Book ahead. If it is full, Ristorante Rinuccini by the castle is the reliable alternative.

    View Campagne

Ready to plan your visit?

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Planning Tips & Packing GuideGetting to Kilkenny