As already mentioned, big cities are not the focus of our trip and, to be honest, none of the ones we visited – apart from Dublin – left an indelible memory in our minds. However, Kilkenny is the one that gave us a pleasant visit, as well as being the only one in which we suggest you spend at least half a day. The city is colorful and cheerful, and although some areas appear rather neglected, its character and spirit are clearly visible in the buildings, squares and on the faces of the local people. Moreover, Kilkenny has some of Ireland’s most famous and iconic monuments! So here is everything you should not miss during a visit to the city. To visit everything, we suggest you plan a full day, but if you decide to limit your visit to half a day, then our advice is to prioritize St. Canice’s Cathedral with its round tower and Kilkenny Castle.

MEDIEVAL MILE – It is the old heart of the city! This tangle of narrow streets and alleys is the oldest part of Kilkenny and includes the streets that run between St. Canice’s Cathedral and the magnificent Kilkenny Castle. You will love getting lost in its streets and discovering its hidden corners! A useful map can be found at this link. If you have a free hour left, we suggest you to visit also the Medieval Mile Museum – recently opened – which tells about 800 years of the city’s history. The museum is normally open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Access is by guided tour only, so advance reservations are recommended. Here you can find all the information.

KILKENNY CASTLE – Kilkenny Castle is certainly one of the most visited historic attractions in all of Ireland. Strategically built on the banks of the River Nore, this ancient mansion was home to the powerful local family of Butler. The historic heart of the castle dates back to the 12th century, but the building still visible today is actually the result of some extensive Victorian-era renovations. Lived in until the 1930s by the Butler family, it was sold in 1967 to the city of Kilkenny for only 50 pounds, as the onerous maintenance costs did not allow the decaying aristocratic family to maintain it intact. Since then, significant restoration work has been carried out over the years, and the castle can now be visited again in its entirety either independently (with the option of listening to an audio guide available online on your cell phone) or through guided tours. We suggest that you do not miss a visit to the Long Gallery – an elegant hall with high ornate ceilings and a magnificent marble fireplace – and the old kitchens. The Castle is normally open from 9:15 am to 5:30 pm during the summer and with slightly shorter hours during other seasons. The entrance fee is € 8.00 for an independent visit and € 12.00 for a guided tour. You can find all the information at this link.

ST. CANICE’S CATHEDRAL – After St. Patrick’s in Dublin, St. Canice’s Cathedral is Ireland’s largest medieval cathedral, and its grandeur is clearly visible even from outside. Its oldest heart dates back to the 6th century, but the building visible today is largely the result of several reconstructions that took place between the 13th and 16th centuries. Many people visit the interior of the church distractedly and prefer to focus on the high circular tower that stands next to it. Indeed, this tower is the only one that can still be climbed to the top, so we suggest that you do not miss the opportunity of a visit to admire the city from above. However, be careful, because the steps are quite steep and the passageway narrow! The cathedral can normally be visited during the summer from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and with shorter hours during other seasons. A climb to the top of the tower is possible from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, but given the high number of visitors during the summer, our advice is to schedule the climb to the top in the early morning hours. Both attractions can be visited on Sundays only in the afternoon. You can find more information at this link.