The Final Draft > Things To Do in Kilkenny for Easter
Things To Do in Kilkenny for Easter
Things To Do in Kilkenny for Easter
Spring in Kilkenny is beautiful. While we’re partial to winter here, from Christmas lights to the moody views of the medieval city in fog and frost, we can’t help but feel a little spring in our step when the weather warms and the daffodils bloom.
Whether you’re in town for the long weekend or you’re a Kilkenny resident with some kids at a loose end during the Easter holidays, plenty is going on to keep the whole family entertained and occupied. Here are some of the highlights in Kilkenny this Easter:
Easter Egg Hunting at Nore Valley Park
Nore Valley Park is a charming open farm about a 20-minute drive from us here at the Smithwick's Experience, and they always offer a great day out for families. Spring is one of the best times of year to visit, with baby lambs, chicks, bunnies, and more for kids to pet, feed, and hold.
This Easter, they’ve also organised an Easter egg hunt on the farm, running every day from Saturday 12th April to Sunday 20th April, from 10am to 4pm. In addition to the Easter egg hunt, there are loads of amazing activities and fun to be had, from a bouncy castle and face painting to a craft corner and even go-karting.
You can book your egg hunt fun online at the Nore Valley Park site.
Have an Easter Experience at Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny
Of course, we’re open all over the Easter holidays, so why not stop by to enjoy our immersive, interactive Smithwick’s brewery tour? If you, like many people, decided to give up alcohol over Lent, what better way to mark the end of Lent and the arrival of Easter than with one of our famous beer tasting experiences!
Tours are running every 30 minutes as of March. While we don’t offer a beer tasting experience to anyone under 18, our tours are family-friendly and a great way to keep the whole family entertained during the Easter holidays.
Additionally, the Barrel Yard will come alive with a few gigs over the Easter long weekend - a perfect place to sip on Ireland's oldest ale, enjoy some live music, and savour delicious food from our local partners. Watch this space for more information!
Enjoy a Burst of Spring at the Castle
Kilkenny Castle is a great visit throughout the year and we recommend it in every season, but in spring, the real magic happens outside in the park and gardens. 21 hectares of beautifully manicured gardens and parklands will be bursting back to life this Easter in full bloom, and there couldn't be a more beautiful place to enjoy an Easter picnic or a sunny stroll.
Beautiful bursts of yellow daffodils, colourful crocuses, and pretty perennial tulips brighten the park over Easter, and the stunning native trees will all be budding, with new leaves coming back to bring fresh life and colour everywhere you look.
Check the castle schedule too over the kids' Easter holidays, as there are often great family-friendly holiday events happening.
Take to the River
As the weather warms and the water calms, river activities are back on the menu for many, and what better way to celebrate Easter in Kilkenny than with a paddle up the Nore to see the city from the comfort of a kayak? You’ll enjoy a gentle paddle upriver to see the city’s most iconic sights, and the river is a fantastic place to really see Kilkenny’s wildlife spring back to life along the river, after a long winter.
If you’re feeling too lazy for a paddle, don’t worry, there are guided boat tours available from April too, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy an easy Easter sightseeing cruise.
Wonka in Jurassic Newpark
A special guest this Easter at Jurassic Newpark - the master chocolatier himself, none other than Willy Wonka! Join Wonka on an Easter-themed tour of the park complete with Oompa Loompas, lots of chocolate, and dinosaurs. The park is running a Jurassic-themed Easter egg hunt and a special Easter experience - complete with the Easter bunny and some real-life baby bunnies - from the 12th until the 20th of April.
Kids can try their hand at the Oompa Loompa life with some sweet decorating, take the Wonka Express train, and visit the fairy village to meet the talking tree and the guardian of the fairy trail. Don’t miss a magical Easter experience for the whole family - you can book here.
Seek Seasonal Treats at a Food Market
Kilkenny is known for its fabulous food markets, and this is a great time of year to visit one. Whether you stay in the city or head out to Mountain View, you’re sure to find lots of stalls selling delicious Easter eats for the weekend that’s in it. Hot cross buns, Easter eggs, and fancy chocolates - what better way to enjoy the sweeter side of Easter weekend?