County Guide

Rich Heritage in Rolling River Valley

County Kilkenny is a real treat for those who like to explore and discover.The county soothes the mind with breathtaking river valleys and energises the body with clean air and healthy activities.

A genuinely undiscovered destination, county Kilkenny is rich in heritage with many important architectural sites such as ancient monuments, monastic settlements, old country homes and burial sites.Kilkenny's artistic tradition spreads throughout the county. Visit some of the workshops and enjoy the range of exquisite artisan work that you will find there.

BALLYRAGGET

Donoughmore Cemetery ruins of an old church which was founded by St. Patrick. Ballyragget Castle An imposing tower house and bawn with rounded turrets and wishing chair.

BENNETTSBRIDGE

A beautiful riverside town and Tidy Towns winner is dedicated to St. Bennett, the bridge was once part of the ancient highway from Dublin.

Kilbline Castle

A Norman Tower which dates back to the 14th/15th century. The Old Creamery Yard - now houses many craft studios.

CALLAN

Callan takes it's name from Niall Caille, High King. He drowned in the King's River while trying to save his servant in 844. His burial ground is at Kilree.

St. Mary's Church

All that remains of the original 13th Century church is the west tower, the rest of the structure was built in the 15th century. Features include some 16th and 17th century tombstones.

Edmund Rice House, Callan

Tel: 056 7725141
Open Apr - Sept Daily 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm.
Oct to Mar Daily 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm.

The Augustinian Friary, Callan

Overlooking the Kings River it dates from 1462. Features include one of the most ornamental sedilia in the country.

CASTLECOMER

Castlecomer takes it's name from a castle built here during the 12th century Anglo-Norman invasion. Castlecomer Demesne This area is currently being developed to accommodate walks and recreational facilities. It features a sculpture park where permanent and semi -permanent installations can be seen throughout the wood.

Church of the Immaculate Conception. Castlecomer

Stands on the site of a simple thatched chapel, it features a beautiful three -light Memorial Window, stations of the cross (brought from Paris), matching altar, ambo and chair, an ornate sanctuary lamp and a beautifully painted ceiling.

CUFFESGRANGE

Burnchurch Castle - a 15th century castle with passages and chambers inside the walls. Secret chamber on 4th floor.

DUNMORE CAVE

Dunmore Cave
Dumore
Co Kilkenny

Tel: 056 7767726
Web: www.dunmorecaves@opw.ie

The show cave at the Dunmore Cave is very well-developed and includes an exhibition centre.

Admission is by guided tour only.
Open 7 days a week with tours commencing at 9.30am.
From November to March the caves are closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.

Admission:
Adult: €2.90
Group/Senior: €2.10
Students/Children: €1.30
Family: €7.40

FRESHFORD

Ballylarkin Abbey Features include a large gothic cut-stone window, a perfect sedilia (stone seats set into the wall) with moulded gothic arches.

St. Lactains

2 churches dedicated to St. Lachtain occupy two corners of the square.

GRAIGUENAMANAGH

Duiske Abbey - fine example of an early Cistercian Abbey.
Graiguenamanagh Tourism Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.
Contact: Brian Roberts
Tel: 059 9724246.
Email: info@waterside.iol.ie

Graiguenamanagh Tourism brings together the best local tourism providers in one association, Accommodation, Restaurants, Crafts and Leisure Activities are all represented in promoting this beautiful medieval rivertown.

GORESBRIDGE

Goresbridge is a picturesque village on the river Barrow and is home to Europe's largest horse sales. The quay in Goresbridge is a popular tie-up for barges and river boats.

GOWRAN

Medieval Collegiate Church of St. Mary's - dates from 1275 and features a nave with aisles and a long chancel.

Gowran Castle Tower

Remains of a Norman Castle built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 15th century by the 9th Countess of Ormond.

INISTIOGE

St. Mary's Church - Built in 1792 and restored in 1820. Statue of Mary Tighe (poet) on grounds.

Sandford Castle, Inistioge

Now in ruins. Panoramic views of the village. Woodstock - built in the 18th century, the house was destroyed by fire in 1922. The grounds include a formal pleasure garden, a Monkey- Puzzle Walk and Rose Garden. Restoration of the Victorian Gardens is ongoing.

Jenkinstown

Jenkinstown Park - consists of a walled deer park, picnic sites and forest walks through the mixed broadleaf and conifer plantations.

Swifts Heath

Once the residence of Jonathan Swift, writer, clergyman and author of "Gulliver's Travels".

JOHNSTOWN

Grangefertagh Church and Round Tower - This was the site of an early monastery founded by St. Ciaran of Saighir. The only remnant is the 30m high Round Tower.

Kells Augustinian Priory

Tel: 056 7728255,
Mobile: 086 2701082.

An Augustinian Priory founded in 1193. Adjacent is an old mill recently restored with original features and structures open as a visitor centre and crafted area. Round Tower originally protected a wooden church. The Celtic cross dates from the 9th century and stands over the burial site of Niall Caille, High King of Ireland.

Kells Mills

There were 16 mills in operation on a 5-mile stretch of the Kings River. One is restored and open to the public, known as Mullins Mill it features a Mill Museum.

KILKIERAN

Three High Crosses - overlooking the Suir Valley they are all that remain of the monastery of Kilkieran and date from the 9th century.

KILMANAGH

Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre Ballykeeffe Quarry,
Kilmanagh,
Co. Kilkenny.
Tel: 056 7769436
Email: theacorn@iol.ie
Web: www.ballykeeffe.com

KNOCKTOPHER / NEWMARKET

Gairdin An Ghorta - opened by President of Ireland, Mary McAlese, a commemorative garden for the victims of the famine.

MOONCOIN

Granagh Castle - overlooking the river Suir. Impressive building with architecture from several centuries.

PILTOWN

Bianconi Changing Station - 200 year old inn is a former changing station for Bianconi cars, which was Ireland's first commercial transport system.

THREECASTLES

Threecastles Church - Overlooking the River Nore. Attached to the ruined church is the presbytery, built from materials from one of the castles from which the area takes its name.

THOMASTOWN

Founded at the beginning of 13th century by Thomas fitzAnthony. The town was named after him - the English, Thomastown, from his forename and Irish Baille Mhic Anndain, from his surname.

The Watergarden, Thomastown

Tel: 056 7724690

Tranquil town garden owned and run by Jerpoint Camphill Community. Great Coffee and home baked goodies.

Garden and Garden Centre open Monday to Friday (November to March) 9.30am to 5.00pm
Admissions to Gardens by donation Café Open Tuesdays to Fridays 10am - 5pm.
Tea / Coffee and Cakes only on Sundays. 2-5pm April to October.
Closed Mondays and Saturday.

Jerpoint Abbey, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

Tel: 056 7724623

12th C. finest Cistercian monastic ruin with a magnificantly sculptured cloister arcade. Includes visitor and exhibition centre.

Open Daily: Mar 10am to 5pm,
June - Mid Sept - 9.30am to 6.30pm,
Mid Sept to 31st Oct - 10am to 5pm,
Nov: 10am to 4pm.
Rest of the year open to groups.
Advance bookings only.
Last tour 1 hour before closing.

Adm Adult €2.90
Senior/Group: €2.10
Student €1.30
Family €7.40.

Grennan Mill, Thomastown

18th Century Island Mill which now houses a craft school.

Kilfane Church

Email: info@gardensireland.com
Web: www.gardensireland.com

The most remarkable feature is the effigy of Cantwell Fada from mid 13th to early 14th century.

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall (near Thomastown)

Tel: 056 7727105 (Nicholas Mosse Country Shop for details)
Email:susan@irishgardens.com

1790's Romantic Era Garden, complete with Waterfall and Cottage Orné. A member of Houses, Castles and Gardens of Ireland. Situated 2 miles north of Thomastown, off the N9. Follow signpost opposite Long Man Pub.

Opening Hours:

During July and August, the garden is open every day from 11am to 6pm.

TULLAROAN

Bród Tullaroan
Tel: 056 7769107/7769202
Email:info@brodtullaroan.com
Web: www.brodtullaroan.com

The Lory Meagher Homestead a 17th century thatched mansion recreated as it was at the turn of this century.

Open Jun- Nov - 10am to 5.30pm
Dec - Jun - by appointment only
Tel: Frank at 087 6688881

The Kilkenny GAA Exhibition centre and museum

Open: March-November and any time for group booking by appointment only.
Mon to Sat 10am to 5.30pm and Sundays 2pm to 6pm.

Adult 4 euro,
Family 8 euro,
OAPs 2.50 euro.
School and Group rate also available. Café open daily, Sunday lunch served from
12.30pm to 3.30pm.

TULLAHERIN

Tullaherin Church and Round Tower - 9th Century well preserved six storey round tower, the top storey originally had eight windows. The adjoining church dates from 11th to 13th century.

TULLAHOUGHT

Tullahought Village 'Viewing Tower'- This recently erected Tower affords visitors a panoramic view of counties Waterford, Tipperary and Kilkenny with supporting photos and text. Picnic facilities available.

URLINGFORD

Mills Cemetery - The nave and chancel church ruin in the grounds of the cemetery carries a plaque to commemorate those who died during the great Famine in the 1840's. Kilcooley House and Wood - The site of the remains of an old abbey.

WINDGAP

Grotto - Largest Grotto in Europe covering 4 acres with detail of Italian mosaic featuring 3 languages and Ogham stones. The Coiseal - Undeveloped prehistoric stone and tombs in Knockroe where people gather to see the miracle of the winter solstice on 21st December.
Kilamery - site of early Christian church and graveyard. With high cross 8th century, Kilamery Broch is in the national museum. The League House - the only slated League house in Ireland dating from 1881 to house local evicted families.

Nore View Folk & Heritage Museum

Bennettsbridge
Co. Kilkenny

When in Kilkenny take a trip out to the scenic village of Bennettsbridge. The museum is situated on the outskirts of this beautiful village overlooking the silvery waters of the River Nore, looking across at some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland, including Mount Leinster and the Black Stairs Mountains.

The Museum houses a fine collection of objects of Irish Historical interest including a history of the Penal Times, the Great Famine, 1916 Rising and the War of Independence. It also houses an old time kitchen, old fashioned pub, old carpenters workshop, old forge, items from the Stone Age, dairy and threshing set, old horse threshing set, old Irish transport, old G.A.A. items, old petrol station and a selection of Irish wildlife, all of which reflects the lives of the ordinary people in Ireland long ago. There is also a fine display musical instruments and a collection of old church items. Also on display at the Museum are a selection of old bicycles and old prams.

It houses over 10,000 some dating back to 2,000 B.C. Foreign visitors have rated it as being one of the best they have seen. There is also a library of old history books and items from the Stone Age.

Open 7 days - 10am to 6pm
Contact Seamus Lawlor at 056 7727749

- Bus Tours Welcome
- Toilet facilities available
- Museum is self-financed
- No State funds used