The Kilkenny Private Day Tour Choice
Choose the length of your day tour. The longer you have the more activities we can pack into your day. Below are some suggested options.
* All Timings & Itineraries are flexible
Half Day Tour - Kilkenny City
- Depart Dublin 9.30am
- Visit Kilkenny City
- 3 Hours in Kilkenny City
- Return Dublin 3:30pm
Full Day Tour - Kilkenny City & Activity
- Depart Dublin 9.30am
- Visit Kilkenny City & Activity
- 3 Hours in Kilkenny City
- Choice of Activities
- Return Dublin 5pm
Long Day Tour - Kilkenny City & Activities
- Depart Dublin 9.30am
- Visit Kilkenny City & Activity
- 3 Hours in Kilkenny City
- Choice of Activities
- Return Dublin 7:30pm
Kilkenny Activities Menu
Enhance your Kilkenny Day Tour experience.
Craft your journey to Kilkenny with a choice from our selection of activities along the way.
Heritage Activities
- Kilkenny Castle
- Kells Priory
- Jerpoint Abbey
Cultural Activities
- The Smithwicks Brewery
- Hurling Sport Experience
- Thomastown and Kilfane
- National Reptile Zoo
Adventure Activities
- Blackstairs Foraging & Walks
- The Dunmore Caves
- Castlecomer Adventure Centre
- The Wicklow Mountains
Kilkenny Tour Highlights
Kilkenny City
Kilkenny City is regarded as the medieval heart of Ireland. The smallest city in Ireland yet one of the most influential during the medieval ages. The town has still retained it's medieval charm and has some of the most important and well preserved anglo-norman architecture in Ireland. A visit to Kilkenny will bring you to the Imposing Kilkenny Castle, the brilliant Smithwicks Brewery Experience, Old Roth House and lots more hidden gems around the town. As well as the fascinating architecture, Kilkenny is also famed for its array of boutique stalls, antique shops and fine food and drink. Take in the delights of the Amber city.
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle dates back to the time of Anglo Norman invasion into Ireland in the 12th Century. The original castle, built from wood on the banks of the River Nore by Richard De Clare otherwise known as Strongbow was replaced by the imposing stone structure in the early 13th century by the great medieval knight - William Marshall. The castle throughout its life has seen turbulent times and was in the hands of the Butler family for over 500 years. A tour of the castle will take you from the original medieval sections of the castle through to the stately home of the Butler family. You will get a great insight into life for the aristocracy in Ireland for over 500 years. An elegant and informative tour.
Take a visit to the site of the old Franciscan Abbey where the local drink of Smithwicks was crafted in the 18th century. A newly created experience takes you through the history of Smithwicks red ale, from its Franciscan beginnings to the present day. This exhibition is highly modern, interactive and unique. The tour introduces you to the Smithwicks family members and other interested parties involved in the creation of Kilkenny's local brew. You will try a hand at the brewing process itself, and course you will finish with a pint of the good stuff.
Activity Price : Adult - €11 / Family Rates Available
Activity Time : Approx 1 Hour
The Smithwicks Brewery Experience
St Canices Cathedral & Round Tower
St Canices Cathedral stands in the location of the 6th century early christian church of St Cainneach where Kilkenny derives it's name. A visit to the cathedral will take you into one of the most important of Ireland's cultural ecclesiastical heritage sites. The cathedral boasts wonderful stained glass that includes two windows from the Harry Clarke Studio, Dublin. Local stone masters The O’Tooneys carved some of the tombstones many of which are unique to the Cathedral and Kilkenny. The round tower is only one of two roundtowers that allow access to climb to the top with superb vista across the surround city and countryside. An authentic visit to the origins of Kilkenny City.
Choose Your Activity
Choose from our selection of fantastic activities to enhance your experience.
Heritage Activities
Kells Priory
A real hidden gem of County Kilkenny is the Kells Priory. This striking fortified priory boasts hugely impressive towerhouses spaced along the diameter of the protecting walls. You can wander amongst the various buildings of the priory where you will reach the enchanting Kings River. Also keep your eyes out for the intriguing Rag Tree. A fairy tree with homely possessions hanging from the branches. A great example of Irish traditions dating to pagan origins.
Activity Price : Free
Activity Time : Approx 1 Hour
Jerpoint Abbey
Jerpoint Abbey is one of the best preserved 12th century cistercian abbeys in Ireland. The church with its Romanesque details hold some real delights such as the 13th to 16th century tomb sculptures, and the sculptured cloister arcade with unique carvings called The Weepers. The Visitor Centre houses an interesting exhibition. There is access for visitors with disabilities. Guided tours available
Activity Price : Adult: €4.00 Sen/Group: €3.00 Child/Student: €2.00 Family: €10.00€
Activity Time : Approx 1 Hour
Brownshill Dolmen Tomb
The Brownshill Dolmen Tomb is one of the best examples of a megalithic portal tomb in the world. Standing unassumingly in the middle of a famers field for over 6,000 years the tomb still holds it's secrets as it has never been excavated. The capstone of the tomb is the heaviest capstone in Europe weighing over 70 tonnes. This ancient heritage site is a perfect example of the real gems in Ireland laying off the beaten track.
Activity Cost : Free
Activity Time : Approx 1.5 Hours
Cultural Activities
Thomastown & Kilfane Glen
Thomastown is a lively and pretty market town on the banks of the river Nore. The town boast great local artisan food shops, bakery's and markets. Around the town you will find some great attractions like the Kilfane Glen. The glen and waterfall is a pristine example of a romantic era garden dating from the 1790s. Untouched for 200 years, it is a picturesque paradise with a waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage orné.
Activity Cost : Free
Activity Time : Approx 2 Hours
The National Reptile Zoo
The National reptile Zoo located in County Kilkenny will bring you face to face with lizards, snakes, crocodiles and other scaly creatures. This brilliant zoo is about conservation and education and its goal is to teach people about the reptile world whilst help its conservation through study and research. A fun and educational visit for the whole family.
Activity Price : Adults €9.90 / Children (over 2) €7.50
Activity Time : Approx 1.5 Hours
Hurling Sport Experience
Kilkenny is the home of the fastest field sport in the world and one of the oldest sports in Europe - Hurling. Played with a stick called a camán and a ball called a Sliotar it is not for the faint hearted!
The Kilkenny Way experience lets you try the sport for yourself. Learn how to master the long puc, running at your opponent and the other skills involved in one the greatest sports of them all. The tour also includes a tour of Nowlan Park Hurling Stadium, The Hurling Museum and a video of the history of Hurling.
Activity Price : Adults €25pp, Children under12 €20pp, Family Rates Avail
Activity Time : Approx 2 Hours
Adventure Activities
Robert & Mary White
Eco Trails & Food Heritage Tour
A relaxing day in the wilds looking for wild safe foods including fungi, fruits, nuts and berries. Suitable for all the family. Learn how to make Beech Leaf liqueur, Sorrel Tabbouleh and find wild greens for salads. Turn your hand to making Wild Garlic Pesto and delicious salads from the wild.
Activity Time : Approx 1 Hour
Activity Price : On Request
The Dunmore Caves
History and geology blend at Dunmore Cave to give an interesting and unique tour into the depths of Ireland. Consisting of a series of chambers formed over millions of years, the cave contains some of the finest calcite formations found in any Irish cave. The cave has been known to man for many centuries and is first mentioned in the 9th century Irish Triads. The most interesting reference however, comes from the Annals which tells of a Viking massacre at the cave in the year 928 A.D. Archaeological finds within the cave confirm Viking activity. Exhibitions and displays in the Visitor Centre. The cave is inaccessible for wheelchair users.
Activity Time : Approx 1 Hour
Activity Price : Adult: €4 / Sen/Group: €3 / Child/Student: €2 / Family: €10
Castlecomer Discovery Park
Set in a stunning 80 acre woodland, Castlecomer Discovery Park boasts an exciting range of recreational and educational activities. This ‘young’ park opened in 2007 and comprises scenic walking trails, lakes, boating, high-ropes and low-ropes adventure activities, a fascinating multi-media coal mining museum, orienteering trails, schools education programme, design craft workshops, Elf & Fairy village and an award winning café. The longest twin ziplines in the Republic of Ireland are due to open in time for the 2016 summer season. There’s a whole day of fantastic activities to be experienced for visitors of all ages so come see for yourself!
Zipline only is €15 per person. Advanced High Ropes Course only is €15 per person. Bundle of Zipline and Advanced High Ropes Course is €25 per person.
Glendalough & The Wicklow Mountains
The Wicklow Mountains National park covers approximately 50,000 acres of forest, wetland, bogland, heath, rivers and lakes only a short 45 minute drive from the heart of Dublin city. Our tour will take you deep into the national park to some of the best sights like the Wicklow Gap, Laragh and Glendalough. The drive truly showcases the best of Ireland with rolling green fields, stone walls, small cottages, fairy trees and lots of animals like donkeys, sheep and if you're lucky you might get a glimpse of the wild mountain deer and goats. Immerse yourself in 'The Garden of Ireland'.
Activity Cost : Free
Activity Time : Minimum 3 Hours
