| Throughout the City and County of Kilkenny you will find an array of modern and traditional parks and gardens. In the city itself, the stunning castle park includes a duck pond and children's playground as well as a formal rose garden and wild flower areas. Other highlights in the county include the superb Woodstock gardens and the Castlecomer Demesne. |
 | Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum,Woodstock Estate,
Inistioge,
Kilkenny Website: www.woodstock.ie |
The beautiful Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are located overlooking the River Nore Valley and the picturesque village of Inistioge. The gardens date to the 1740's with the main development taking place in the 1800's. A period of disrepair followed during the 1900's following the burning of Woodstock House, however in 1999, Kilkenny County Council undertook an ambitious programme of garden restoration which is now well advanced. Features include a walled garden, rose garden, rockery garden, a recreated Turner Conservatory, a collection of rare and exotic trees in the arboretum and much more including many tranquil woodland walks.
Group tours by request. Phone John on 087 8549785 or Claire on 087 8580502 or go to www.woodstock.ie
Admission fee is €4 per car which includes admission for all occupants to the gardens. Large groups and coaches, price on request.
Tea Rooms open summer months only - please phone to check opening hours.
Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum
Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny
Phone 087 8549785 or 087 8580502
Admission fee €4 per car to car park, includes access to gardens for all occupants. Pedestrians and cyclists free.
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Castlecomer Discovery Park comprises 30 hectares of mixed woodland 20kms North of Kilkenny city on the main N78 road. Originally part of the Demesne of the 17th Century Castlecomer House owned by the Prior-Wandesforde family, the park includes 6km of woodland walking trails complete with picnic areas, two rainbow trout angling lakes and a children's playground.
At the heart of the park is the Visitor Centre with its interactive multimedia exhibition 'Footprints in Coal' which explores the complete story of the Castlecomer coal from fromation to extraction. A must-see exhibition and fun for all the family. The is also a gift shop, toilets and Jarrow Café and the design craft yard is home to a number of crafts people and artists who sell direct from their workshops
Click here for details of courses at Castlecomer Discovery Park
Castlecomer Writers and Arts Festival - 25th - 27th September
Castlecomer Discovery Park will play host to some of the events of the Castlecomer Writers and Arts Festival over the course of the festival weekend including bouncy castles, face painting and a treasure trail on Sunday 27th. The exhibition space will also be used for related exhibitions from the 21st September to the 4th October including an exhibition of the paintings of Marley Irish.
Voices for Animals - 22nd October
An evening fundraising event organised by Kilkenny SPCA
National Trails Day
Castlecomer Discovery Park will be hosting a Tree Discovery Trail as part of National Trails Day on Sunday 4th October. This is a family event that will encourage children and adults to take closer look at the trees around them and learn a little more about them. Families can register from 10am to 4pm on the day to collect their trail sheets.
Kilkenny Food Producers Event - 24th October
A culinary delight
Halloween Fun
Halloween Family Fun at Castlecomer Discovery Park - click here for further details
Wondering what to do over the Halloween mid-term break? Why not bring your family to Castlecomer Discovery Park where we have plenty of fun events to keep them all amused. Our Trick or Treat Trail which proved very popular over the last two years will return again with new challenges and questions and we will also introduce our two new indoor tours, 'Halloween House of Horrors' and 'Bubble and Squeak'. In the run-up to Halloween, we will be running a turnip carving competition with all entries to be featured as part of the indoor tours.
Santa Clause at Castlecomer Discovery Park - December
Further information on these events will be posted on our website as it becomes available www.discoverypark.ie
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 | Jenkinstown Park Jenkinstown,
Co. Kilkenny |
Consists of a walled deer park, picnic sites and forest walks through the mixed broadleaf and conifer plantations.
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Tranquil town garden owned and run by Jerpoint Camphill Community. Great Coffee and home baked goodies. Garden and Garden Centre.
Open Hours:- 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 Saturdays
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Go back in time to a 12th Century castle, set in 1830's splendour and extensive parklands; includes Art Gallery, bookshop and playground.
Guided tours only, delays may occur in high season.
Access for visitors with disabilities to ground floor and the gardens only.
Opening Arrangements:
October - February Daily 09.30 - 16.30
March Daily 09.30 - 17.00
April - May Daily 09.30 - 17.30
June - August Daily. 09.00 - 17.30
September Daily 09.30 - 17.30
Admission
Admission Charges
Adult.............................. € 6.00
Senior / Group (20+)........... € 4.00
Student / Child (over 6)....... € 2.50
Family............................. €14.00
Closed over Christmas and on Good Friday. Unscheduled closure may occur over the winter months for essential maintenance, please check with the site for details. Please note that this is a very busy site and visitors may experience a delay during the summer months.
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 | Newpark Marsh/FenNewpark,
Kilkenny. |
Newpark Fen is a diverse habitat with open water and a rich variety of bird, mammal, plant and insect species. It is a proposed Natural Heritage Area. It includes a bird feeding area, wildlife information boards and a wheelchair accessible walkway.
The fen is located approximately 2km north-east of Kilkenny, off the Castlecomer Road, a short distance from the Newpark Hotel.
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1790's Romantic Era Garden, complete with Waterfall and Cottage Orné.
Opening Hours: During July and August, the garden is open every day from 11am to 6pm.
Situated 2 miles north of Thomastown, off the N9. Follow signpost opposite Long Man Pub.
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 | Public Playgrounds in Kilkenny City and County |
You'll find a choice of Childrens adventure playgrounds in the city at:
Garringreen
Newpark Close
The Butts
And in the county at:
Castlecomer
Mooncoin
Thomastown
Callan