Things to do in Kilkenny
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Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny: Brewery Tour & PintYou arrive at your chosen time, join a guided tour through a 13th-century brewery turned experience center, meet holograms and living portraits of the Smithwick family, learn how monks and then the Smithwick family shaped Ireland's oldest beer brand, and finish with a pint poured at the bar. The whole thing takes about an hour, and the building's Victorian stone walls do half the work for you.Is it for me?Right for anyone in Kilkenny or visiting from Dublin who wants to understand the beer's story without arranging transport or timing — you pick your slot, show up, and the hour-long tour handles the rest. The Victorian building and the theatrical elements (holograms, living portraits) make it engaging even if beer history isn't your usual thing.
Kilkenny: Shenanigans Walking Tour with Stories & MagicYou’ll walk Kilkenny’s winding streets with a lively local guide, hearing wild stories about witches and knights while catching glimpses of medieval life. Expect clever magic tricks, spontaneous laughter, and plenty of chances to ask questions or just soak in the atmosphere—this isn’t your usual guided walk.
Kilkenny Boat Trip: River Views of Castle & CathedralA 40-minute boat tour on the River Nore in Kilkenny with a live English guide takes up to 12 passengers past St. Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower, plus the city's other riverside landmarks. The guide tailors the commentary to your knowledge of Kilkenny's history and the river's wildlife. Lifejackets are provided; children from age 1 are welcome, and infants must wear a lifejacket as a legal requirement.Is it for me?At 40 minutes, the tour fits neatly into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day—you see the castle and cathedral from the water and still have time for the city's pubs, shops or walking streets afterward. The small boat size means the guide adjusts the pace and detail to what your group wants to know, so you are not locked into a script.
Kilkenny Walking Tour: Medieval Mile, Black Abbey & Local StoriesYou’ll wander Kilkenny’s winding medieval lanes with a local guide who brings out stories behind every corner — from quiet moments inside St. Canice’s Cathedral to laughter by quirky statues and stops at historic homes. Expect real conversation, gentle surprises, and plenty of chances to soak up both history and everyday life along the Medieval Mile.
Kilkenny Haunted Dark Tour: Medieval Mile & Witch TrialsYou walk eight stops through Kilkenny's Medieval Mile starting at the castle, hearing documented stories of witch trials, sieges, curses and crimes from a local guide who knows the city's darker history. The tour takes about 90 minutes, covers roughly a mile on uneven ground, and ends with a real understanding of why this medieval city still feels haunted. Book the 7pm departure if you want to experience the streets as they actually feel after dark.Is it for me?This works well if you want Kilkenny's real medieval history without the daytime tourist crowds, and if you're comfortable walking on cobblestones in the evening — the darkness is what makes the stories land.
Kilkenny: Hurling Experience & Dressing Room IntroductionYou spend time in a team dressing room learning hurling's history and rules, then move to the field to practice ground strikes, hand passes, and shots at goal under your guide's instruction. All equipment — sticks, helmets, balls — is provided, and the session works for any fitness level and any age (children need an adult with them). Parking and toilets are on-site, and the experience runs rain or shine.Is it for me?Right for anyone curious about Irish culture who wants to do something rather than just watch it — the dressing room start and field practice mean you leave having actually played the sport, not observed it. Plan for a session that works in any weather, so bring a jacket.
Kilkenny: Medieval Mile Walking Tour with Costumed GuideYou walk the Medieval Mile in Kilkenny with a costumed guide who covers eight centuries of local history—witches, merchants, bishops, and rebels—stopping at St. Canice's Cathedral, a climbable round tower, and the sites of old prisons and execution points. The tour is wheelchair accessible and paced for adults; children are welcome but the stories lean toward grown-up themes. Plan for a couple of hours on foot through the old town, with photo opportunities built in.Is it for me?A good fit if you want Kilkenny's real history—the dark, human stories—rather than a sanitized version, and you're comfortable with a couple of hours on foot through the old town. The costumed guide and specific stops make it worth doing with someone who knows the place, rather than wandering on your own.
Kilkenny: Medieval Mile Museum Guided Tour & St. Mary's ChurchYou walk through St. Mary's Church with a guide who connects 800 years of Kilkenny history — from Strongbow to the merchants who built the city — without rushing you. Small groups keep it intimate, unlimited time lets you linger on what interests you, and the medieval stories of power, faith, and daily life come alive in the actual space where they unfolded. Wheelchair accessible, and you're done whenever you're ready to leave.Is it for me?Right for anyone spending time in Kilkenny who wants the medieval history explained by someone who knows it, without the pressure of a timed tour. The unlimited exploration time means you're not rushed through eight centuries — you move at the pace that lets the stories actually land.
Kilkenny: Medieval Mile Museum Audio Tour & Self-Guided WalkYou’ll walk through centuries-old stone halls with an easy-to-use audio guide, hear stories of medieval Kilkenny’s merchants and townsfolk, and wander a graveyard filled with unique carvings. Take your time exploring preserved wall paintings and artifacts—no rush—then leave with a sense of connection to lives long gone.
Walking Tours of Kilkenny: Medieval Sites with Local GuideA guided walking tour of Kilkenny's historic sites led by John Comerford, a local guide born and raised in County Kilkenny. The tour covers St. Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower, Black Abbey, Rothe House, Smithwick's brewing heritage, St. Mary's Church, and Kilkenny Castle over roughly two hours. John tailors the pace and depth to your interests—whether you want a quick stroll or a deep dive into the history—and private or custom tours are available for groups and families.Is it for me?Book this if you want a walking tour you can shape as you go—John adjusts the route on the spot if you want to linger at a site or explore beyond the main landmarks.
