Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Ireland  /  Province of Leinster  /  County Kilkenny  /  Kilkenny  /  Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny

4.6
#1 of 97 in Things to do in Kilkenny
Must see · Castle · Park
Preserving more than eight centuries of history within its walls, Kilkenny Castle rises over the Nore River and marks an intersection of several major medieval routes. Although the castle underwent a series of modifications over the ages, it contains three of its original four stone towers, built in 1192 by a Norman invader known to history as "Strongbow." Once a symbol of Norman occupation and a key part of the region's defenses, the castle now attracts thousands of visitors with its extensive gardens and basement art gallery. Also in the basement, the castle kitchen houses a popular tearoom, complete with a Victorian cooking range and rows of pots and plates. To visit Kilkenny Castle on your trip to Kilkenny, use our Kilkenny trip planner.
Create an itinerary including Kilkenny Castle
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Kilkenny Castle reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
6,363 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By proinsiaso2020
    kilkenny castle is amazing and me playing in the grounds of kilkenny castle , great place to visit , it goes back hundreds of years  more »
  • By kony21
    Beautiful castle and grounds. Self guided tour and some rooms are not currently available to view, staff available in large rooms and all seemed very approachable.  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Grant Bremner
    Stunning castle that was constructed around 1195 and is still in excellent condition today. The gardens and the adjacent park are free and open to the public. The interior is something else, beautiful furnished in every room with plenty of information available so not necessary to take a guided tour unless you want the full history of the castle 🏰. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here both the castle and the gardens.
  • By Jacinta Murphy
    Beautiful location. Lovely playground. Lake is stunning and lots of birds to be seen. Great for walks. Tea rooms in castle is very cute and food is gorgeous
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to Kilkenny

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Kilkenny

Go With The Flow - River Adventures ©
Outdoor Activity
Go With The Flow - River Adventures
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
St. Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower ©
Religious Site
St. Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower
4.5
Duration: 30 minutes
Jerpoint Abbey ©
Religious Site
Jerpoint Abbey
Thomastown
4.4
Duration: 1 hour
Smithwick's Experience ©
Brewery
Smithwick's Experience
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min

Side trips from Kilkenny

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park ©
Castle
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Bunratty
4.4
Duration: 3h 30 min
Rock of Cashel ©
Castle
Rock of Cashel
Cashel
4.4
Duration: 1h 30 min
Irish National Heritage Park ©
Park
Irish National Heritage Park
County Wexford
4.6
Duration: 2h 30 min
Waterford Greenway
Biking Trail
Waterford Greenway
Waterford
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min

Hidden gems in Kilkenny

Ballykeefe Distillery ©
Distillery
Ballykeefe Distillery
Cuffesgrange
4.9
Duration: 30 minutes
Medieval Mile Museum ©
Natural History Museum
Medieval Mile Museum
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min
Black Abbey ©
Religious Site
Black Abbey
4.4
Duration: 30 minutes
Rothe House and Garden ©
Garden
Rothe House and Garden
4.0
Duration: 1 hour

Historic Sites in Kilkenny

Jerpoint Park ©
Historic Site
Jerpoint Park
Thomastown
4.7
Duration: 30 minutes
Capuchin Friary ©
Religious Site
Capuchin Friary
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
St. John the Evangelist Church ©
Religious Site
St. John the Evangelist Church
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
Shankill Castle ©
Castle
Shankill Castle
Paulstown
4.5
Duration: 2h 30 min

Shopping in Kilkenny

Kilkenny Handwrought Silver
Gift & Specialty Shop
Kilkenny Handwrought Silver
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Kilkenny Crystal
Gift & Specialty Shop
Kilkenny Crystal
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Cushendale Woollen Mills ©
Factory Outlet
Cushendale Woollen Mills
Graiguenamanagh
5.0
Duration: 30 minutes
Smithwick's Retail Store
Gift & Specialty Shop
Smithwick's Retail Store
5.0
Duration: 30 minutes

Nearby attractions in Kilkenny

Malzards Pub ©
Bar / Club
Malzards Pub
Stoneyford
4.9
Duration: 1h 30 min
Kilkenny Cycling Tours
Bike Tour
Kilkenny Cycling Tours
5.0
Duration: 1h 30 min
The Kilkenny Way ©
Sports Clinic
The Kilkenny Way
4.5
Duration: 2 hours
The Hole in the Wall ©
Nightlife
The Hole in the Wall
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min

Featured attractions

Kilkenny Activity Centre ©
Entertainment Center
Kilkenny Activity Centre
4.3
Duration: 2 hours
Kilkenny Castle ©
Castle
Kilkenny Castle
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min
Hook Lighthouse ©
Lighthouse
Hook Lighthouse
Fethard On Sea
4.7
Duration: 2 hours
Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience ©
Ship
Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience
New Ross
4.7
Duration: 2 hours

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Kilkenny Castle by other users

22 days in Germany, Poland & Ireland BY A USER FROM CANADA Munich Krakow Warsaw 35 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Barcelona Legnano Rome 60 days in Western Europe BY A USER FROM CANADA Maspalomas Lisbon Barcelona 19 days in Ireland & Northern Ireland BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Dublin Belfast Bushmills 10 days in Ireland BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Killarney Doolin Kilkenny 15 days in Ireland & London BY A USER FROM CANADA Dublin Kilkenny Doolin