One of the hearts of Celtic history in Ireland, Kilkenny is home to many cathedrals, castles, and quaint medieval towns. The people of Kilkenny celebrate their Celtic heritage to the fullest, with numerous craft fairs, traditional music performances, and cultural festivals throughout the area.

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The city of Kilkenny at the heart of the county is a fascinating mixture of old culture and young blood. It is one of the few Western cities renowned both for its five-hundred-year-old castles and for its pumping nightlife. Fascinatingly, one of the most popular nightclubs, O’Faolain’s Club 51, is actually inside an old ruin.

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Whether you’re looking for a fun night out, whether you want to visit one of the best-preserved spots for Celtic history in Ireland, or whether you want a little of both, Kilkenny is the perfect destination for you.

Food & Drinks

For such a traditional Celtic town, there are a lot of sophisticated restaurants lining the streets. If you want a great international restaurant, go for the colorfully-decorated Fleva Brasserie in the central square of the city. Conversely, if it’s a great lunch-time experience you want, go for the Kilkenny Design Centre just across the street from Kilkenny Castle.

Traditional corned-beef-and-cabbage, mashed-potato-and-Guinness fare is best sampled at the Kytelers Inn on Kieran Street. Be sure to walk around the area too; steeped in history, Kieran Street was once the center for Pagan and Druid witchcraft in Kilkenny.

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If you’d rather just go out for a pint or two, be sure to check out Cleere’s Bar and Theatre opposite the Watergate on Parliament Street. They put on regular shows to draw the night-time crowds, so be sure to check in and see what’s playing. Kytelers Inn, known for its food, is also an excellent place to get some traditional Irish beer and whiskey. If you’re a late-night partier, check out Matt the Miller’s. Open far later than the typical pubs, which tend to close around 12:30 AM, Matt’s is the perfect place for a Guinness…or two…or six…

Architecture

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Known as the marble city, you will be amazed at how much of the city retains its original black marble flagstones and columns. With stone buildings ranging from before the Norman occupation through the Middle Ages, Kilkenny is the Medieval historian’s paradise.

By far the most famous location in Kilkenny is the Kilkenny Castle and Gardens. This Norman castle, built in 1195, has remained largely unchanged since its initial construction. Three of the four main towers still stand to to this day.

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If you’re interested in cathedrals, definitely check out St. Canice’s Cathedral. Built on an ancient Celtic worship site, it is a gorgeous example of Early Gothic styles. Early Gothic is characterized by long, imposing length, pointed arches, and abundance of stained glass. St. Canice’s definitely shows it, as the second-longest cathedral in all of Ireland with hundreds of meticulously-crafted, colorful stained windows. St. Canice’s is also home to the oldest building in Kilkenny: the Round Tower. This 100-foot watchtower was built in the 9th century AD, and provides an excellent view of the city and surrounding county.

Festivals

By far the most famous Kilkenny festival is the aptly named Kilkenny Arts Festival. Established in the 1970s, it runs through mid to late August. The city explodes in color, and it seems like there’s a fiddler, flutist, or harpist on every corner. With dance performances, gallery openings, literature talks, and special events at many of the castles in the city, the Kilkenny Arts Festival is a great time for any lover of Irish culture.

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For those visiting in the beginning of summer, the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival is more focused specifically on music. Bluegrass, folk, Americana, traditional Irish, and every type of music in between are represented in this week-long celebration throughout the city.

Outside the City

While Kilkenny is the center of the county, there are a number of great places to go and things to see outside of the city. Medieval towns like Balleyragget in the north, Mooncoin in the south, and Thomastown along the river Nore are great places to get away from the rush and enjoy nature. The laid-back air of these towns goes hand-in-hand with the rich history surrounding them in the form of former Medieval abbeys like Jerpoint near Thomastown.

If you’re a nature lover, you have to check out South Leinster Way over a few days. This winding, 64-mile (102 km) trail makes its way through a number of tiny Medieval towns, ancient emerald forests, and gentle river valleys. Looping around the majestic Mount Leinster, even the most urban traveler will be amazed at the views it offers of the surrounding county.

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