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Your at-a-glance guide to Kilkenny  Kilkenny
the creative heart of Ireland where heritage and history, environmental
harmony, crafts and architecture combine to create an all-pervading spirit
of excellence.
With Ireland’s medieval capital at its heart, Co. Kilkenny offers
the South East’s finest countryside, a pretty, rich farmland dotted
with medieval ruins, solid stone walls, charming villages and a host of
historic monuments including Jerpoint Abbey, one of Ireland’s finest
monastic settlements.
Regal, majestic and ancient, overlooking the brooding River Nore, Kilkenny
Castle now fully restored has stood sentinel at this important river crossing
for perhaps 900 years.
There are forest parks, natural wonders and some of Ireland’s finest
studio workshops clustered in the scenic valley of the River Nore.
Good food, lively restaurants, popular pubs and nightclubs are also important
in a county that offers quite simply everything for an enjoyable and memorable
holiday.
Food
Kilkenny is renowned as a food-lover’s paradise.
Its cosmopolitan outlook has shaped the wide range of restaurants here
from exotic world cuisine to traditional hearty Irish fare.
Many of the county’s restaurants are members of the Feile Bia initiative
which promotes the use of fresh, locally-grown ingredients.
From casual gourmet to elegant dining, Kilkenny offers a wonderful dining
experience.
Sports and activities
The rich and rolling river landscape of Kilkenny is home to numerous environmentally
friendly and healthy activities.
The wide and meandering rivers Nore and Barrow offer good angling, boating
and water sports.
Golfing facilities are superb and with five courses within a 10-mile
radius of Kilkenny City — two of which are championship courses
there is a wide choice of golfing facilities.
Mount Juliet is the jewel in the crown, with a world-famous championship
course.
The artistry of the Kilkenny hurling team is a source of passion for the
county of Kilkenny and hurling fixtures can be enjoyed regularly.
A visit to the county is a chance to witness Ireland’s most ancient
sport in all its skill and fast-paced glory.
Festivals
Kilkenny’s winding slipways, central location, and vibrant nightlife
make it the perfect festival location.
From April through October is festival season in the county.
In early summer the festival season starts with the Pan Celtic Festival,
a celebration of all things Irish, whilst in May the Rhythm And Roots
Festival hosts international stars of bluegrass, country and alt-country
scenes.
During high summer, the Murphy’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival now
established beside Montreaux and Edinburgh as one of the world-class comedy
festivals precedes the Source Outdoor Music Festival which has featured
Bob Dylan and Paul Simon amongst others.
August sees the renowned Kilkenny Arts Festival featuring the best of
visual art, street performance and classical music.
Entertainment
By night Kilkenny comes alive as visitors and locals alike enjoy the city’s
vibrant social scene.
The city offers an eclectic mix of cosmopolitan designer bars and traditional
old-style hostelries.
What better way to spend an evening than enjoying a meal in one of the
many restaurants throughout Kilkenny?
Live music and theatre takes place throughout the week, so whether your
taste is for dance music, poetry, theatre or rock Kilkenny has something
to offer you. |
