Did you fall in love with Ireland in KILKENNY? Tell me the story!!!

Melissa5 · Guru

Did you fall in love with Ireland in KILKENNY? Tell me the story!!!

murphy · Guru

Spent a couple of night in Kilkenny March 30-31, 2011. We took Michele's advice and stayed at Rosquil House B&B. It was a fantatic property, super delicious breakfast, and Phil and Rhoda great hosts. The only minor down side is location, about a 20 minute walk downtown. That part was ok, but opted for a 8 Euro cab ride back after dinner and evening at a pub.

Kilkenny ranks right up there with Kenmare and Westport, as my favorite smaller cities in Ireland. The Smithwicks brewery tour is 2nd to none. Really enjoyed Kilkenny Castle....awesome structure and spectacular interior reconstruction. Also the view of the entire city of Kilkenny from the top observation deck on the round tower beside St. Canice's Cathedral is NOT TO BE MISSED! unless you are afraid of heights or have mobility issues.

Langstons Pub and Restaurant has great food, moderate price, and we could find no fault with the pub grub at Kytelers Pub downtown.

The trad music was limited for us on a Tues. and Wed night, due to being there in the shoulder season.

Dan

stewh · Guru

We stayed at Butler Court a few years ago. Perfect location near the action but very quiet & private. A cool place with a friendly hostess. No full Irish breakfast.

Stewart

tony2phones · Guru

Used to stay at the Omerond until they priced themselves out of the market plus a minor dispute with the oriental waiter clearing the table whilst I was still eating breakfast. Gave Christina her Claddagher ring infront of the war memorial in the castle grounds. And try the Trad Tial organised musical pub crawl.

CowboyCraic · Guru

When I have opted to stay in Kilkenny, I have always chosen Butler Court. I fancied it as sort of a "secret" garden, vey private yet close into everything. The king-size beds were a delight and being able to turn around in their showers felt downright decadent. The only negative for some would be the lack of a full-on breakfast. I was quite content with the continental breakfast, fruit, scones, tea, as it was good to not be so "heavy" after breakfast for a change.

That being said, my preferred lodgings are just a short ways out of town at Lawcus Farm. I love its unique stone walls and teh brass bed in the stone room stole my heat! There is nothing skimpy about their breakfasts, either! If you push away from that table hungry, you did it to yourself! After breakfast, I liked to meander down to the Kings River or out to Kells Priory. It sets in between Kells and Stoneyford, two very friendly little villages, yet is only a stone's throw from Kilkenny.

In Kilkenny, I love St Canice's Cathedral and Round tower, the Black Abbey, Rothe House and its gardens, especially in June, and the Tholsel. Corey offers a great self-paced walking tour over at irishfireside.com. Michele has a link for it here on the site. Further afield from Kilkenny City, my favorite haunts are the Grotto in Windgap is also amazing. I think that it is the largest in Europe. Also just outside Windgap is the Coiseal, prehistoric stones and tombs.

Melissa5 · Guru

I had a long enthusiastic replied all typed up yestereday but I lost it! confuse

Thanks for everybody's reflections on Kilkenny! I'm really enjoying hearing from you all.

CowboyCraic: I know what you mean about choosing between a real USA King size bed...or a yummy full Irish breakfast with lots of choices. Often for Ireland you can't get both, you have to choose one or the other. I'm letting my stomach make the decisions! aww Your "secret garden" at Butler Court sounds atmospheric. Lawcus Farm sounds intriguing too. For our first visit to Kilkenny we decided to be within walking distance of Kilkenny town center. Thanks for sharing your favorite sites to visit in or near Kilkenny...I'm looking forward to reading more about that.

tony2phones: Ah, that's a romantic story...it's a fortunate woman who receives her claddagh ring on the grounds of a castle! Thanks for sharing. I think it would make me feel like a princess or a queen. And yes I agree, we do want to try the organized Kilkenny Trad Trail pub crawl.

stewh: It seems that butler court is very popular. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

murphy: Rosquil house sounds great! Thanks for sharing your experiences. I love a friendly b&b with a good breakfast. We like to walk, as long as its not raining! It's interesting to hear that you like Kilkenny, Kenmare, and Westport...because on our first trip to Ireland, we loved Westport! And on our upcoming trip to Ireland in September, we will visit both Kilkenny and Kenmare for the first time. biggrin Thanks for suggesting the Smithwicks tour as I think my husband would enjoy it. OK, now my goal is to get in shape for getting up to the round tower at St. Canice's cathedral so I can be inspired by the great view. Are there a lot of stairs? I'm afraid of heights but that doesn't stop me...I just try not to look down until I get to the top where the view is! wink

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

Kilkenny is a great little city. It is medieval meets 21st century. Corey's walking tour can be found on my Discounts page. But you should also consider a guided walking tour that goes several times a day from the tourist office. There are lots of little "slips" or laneways criss crossing the city. A very fun place to explore.

I always enter Kells Priory from the Mills. I have directions in my book, which I know you have. Also take a meander down the R700 to Inistioge (such a pretty village) and up to Woodstock Gardens. You can also take a drive out to Mount Juliet and drive through the estate. They do a great Sunday brunch at the golf club.

You might be interested in seeing the famine ship at New Ross.

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Michele, thanks for all the lovely ideas for exploring Kilkenny. I love the idea of medieval meets the 21st century. aww

wojazz3 · Guru

Hi Murphy:

So Smithwick's is doing a tour now? That's good news. I'd like to see it. When I visited the last time I was told that they were still considering the posibility and only during the busy summer months.

Bill

murphy · Guru

Bill It ran all last summer for the 300th anniversary and due to tremendous popularity decided to keep it going this year. We took the tour during our trip there in late Mar early April...see my trip report "Irish Spring" Dan