The Final Draft > From Castles to Countryside: Explore the Top Activities in County Kilkenny
From Castles to Countryside: Explore the Top Activities in County Kilkenny
Lots of people who come to visit Kilkenny find the city to be so full of sights, history, charm, and craic that they will happily spend all their time right in the heart of it. And that’s fair enough - there’s plenty here in the city centre to keep tourists and locals busy, starting with a Smithwick’s Experience brewery tour!
But outside the city centre, there awaits a wealth of incredible experiences that confirm just how fascinating, historically significant, and wildly beautiful the whole county is, and it’s all just a short spin outside the city’s hustle and bustle. Take a trip outside the city and into the county of Kilkenny, and see some of the wonderful sights and activities it has to offer…
Explore the darkness of the Dunmore Cave
Dunmore Cave is located about 11km north of Kilkenny city – near Castlecomer – and about a ten-minute drive from us here at the Smithwick’s Experience. The cave is a limestone warren of around 300m of known passages and caverns, formed over millennia by glacial meltwaters. The cave has been known about for centuries, its first published mention being in the Triads of Ireland (written in the 9th century), where it’s referred to as one of the darkest places in Ireland. If you tour the cave today, you’ll get a small taste of that darkness, when the lights are turned off towards the end of the tour and visitors are plunged into total blackout.
The tour is a superb mix of geology, history, myth and mystery, and is well worth the short drive from Kilkenny city centre.
Hike to Kilkenny’s highest point
Brandon Hill lies about 30km southeast of Kilkenny city, and at 515 metres, is Kilkenny’s highest point. You can take on the challenge of the full 5-hour loop walk (almost 16km) if you want, or there are shorter sections you can hike to get to the summit. When you do get up there, you’ll be treated to a beautiful 360º panoramic view over the idyllic, lush Kilkenny countryside.
After you’ve finished your hike, why not explore the nearby town of Graiguenamanagh? Visit Duiske Abbey, take a gentle stroll along the banks of the Barrow, or maybe treat yourself to a nice cold post-hike pint of Smithwick’s.
Have an adventure at Castlecomer Discovery Park
Castlecomer Discovery Park is one of Kilkenny’s top attractions, an 80-acre adventure park that’ll take you to the treetops, the river, the forest and more. You can try your hand at aerial adventures, orienteering, archery, axe throwing, ziplining, river kayaking, and so much more - there is even a coal mining museum here, where you can learn the story of Castlecomer’s coal mining history.
It’s an unforgettable day of adventure and outdoor fun for the family, couples or groups of friends – and it’s just a 20-minute drive outside the city. There is a cafe on site, but some visitors like to bring a picnic for lunch when the weather is fine.
Take a tour of Ballykeefe Distillery
Kilkenny (the Smithwick’s Brewery, to be precise) isn’t just the birthplace of Irish red ale, but the county also brought Irish whiskey to the world! Just as you can tour our brewery, you can tour the Ballykeefe Distillery to discover the story of that birth. The distillery is a short 12km drive from our brewery, meaning you could easily visit both in a day.
At the Ballykeefe distillery, you’ll learn about the origins of “uisce beatha” - the water of life - right back to its first mention in the Red Book of Ossory, written in Kilkenny in 1324. You’ll discover the process by which it was made and see how it’s still distilled today as you make your way around the lovely distillery and farm.
Grab a bite at Mountainview Market
Every Sunday from 10am, the Mountain View venue in Ballyhale hosts its famous food market, showcasing the most delectable foods and produce, as well as stunning and sustainable artisanal items, with vendors coming from all over Ireland to set up stall here.
A pleasant half-hour’s drive from the city centre will take you to the market, and as soon as you arrive, you’ll realise that you couldn’t hope for a lovelier way to spend a Sunday. From scotch eggs to sourdough, cheese to chocolate, you’ll find every flavour you could want as you wander the stalls. And if you’re hoping to find some gifts to take home to loved ones, the handcrafted Irish products here, ranging from hats to cards and candles, are just lovely.
Explore Jerpoint Abbey
Jerpoint Abbey is a 12th-century Cistercian abbey near Thomastown in County Kilkenny, just 20 minutes outside the city centre. It’s renowned for how remarkably well-preserved it is, and its intricate stone carvings and sculptures are thought to be some of the finest examples of their kind.
There’s a visitor centre where you can delve into the abbey’s rich history, and guided tours are available if you want them, but you might enjoy wandering the incredibly intact ruins in your own time, taking in the Romanesque church, the 13th and 16th Century tombs, and the magnificent cloister arcade with its impressive sculptures and carvings.