Kilkenny, Ireland

The county of Kilkenny is found in Ireland’s south-east region in the province of Leinster.

Kilkenny city is located 134 kilometers from Dublin airport. The drive takes about 90 minutes.

Buses are available but there’s no direct train link from Dublin airport.

However, if you’re arriving at Shannon airport on Ireland’s west coast, the drive time is about 2 hours for the 157 kilometer journey.

From Cork airport, in the south of the country, it’s a similar distance and drive time as that from Shannon.

Kilkenny is an inland county, but it’s situated in a valley on both banks of the river Nore which runs for 140 kilometers through three counties.

Kilkenny is at an elevation of 60 meters above sea level.

The nearest beach is about a 50-minute drive away in the neighboring county of Waterford.

Also, Kilkenny borders the counties of Carlow, Laois, Wexford, and Tipperary.

In a word: Expensive.

The average rent is US$1,382 but as of 2023 there’s a rentals shortage and only a handful of properties available, mostly in rural areas.

For example, a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home located 8 kilometers from Kilkenny city rents on a one-year lease for US$1,717 a month.

If you’re looking to buy with a more modest budget, a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom town house in need of renovation in a village location 17 kilometers) from Kilkenny city is on sale for US$145,000.

At the other end of the scale is a 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom home set in mature gardens and within walking distance to Kilkenny city.

The 427-square-meter home will set you back 1.1. million euro US$1,180,603.

On a budget of around US$300,000 you could take your pick from town homes and apartments in the city or cozy countryside cottages… and if you’re after a fun renovation project, former pubs looking for a new lease of life in charming villages abound.

The go-to website for real estate listings is daft.ie. You can narrow your search by location and get details of local realtors through the listings.

Budget for a single person, living in an apartment in the city

Budget for a couple, living in a 3-bedroom house in the countryside

There’s a lot…

Nature

Nature lovers will be spoiled for choice with gentle woodland walks, challenging hillwalking trails, and all manner of river-based options from hydro-biking to kayaking, dragon boating, and canoeing.

Golf

Most importantly, if you’re a golfer, you’ve some solid options here. In Kilkenny city, there’s a thriving golf club.

Annual subscription fees here are US$900. Visitors can enjoy a round for green fees of US$42.

A scenic 20-minute drive from Kilkenny city will take you to Mount Juliet Estate, home to a Jack Nicklaus designed course which has hosted Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo and Sam Torrance. Also, it was the setting for the 2022 Irish Open.

Membership for a couple here will set you back US$4,386 for the year.

In short, you’ll find a handful more courses dotted around the county as well as a driving range on the edge of the city and a couple pitch-and-putt courses.

Hit The Gym

You can also take your pick when it comes to gyms. Most are found in 4 and 5-star hotels and feature swimming pools and spas offering annual memberships with discounts for seniors. Meanwhile, the city also has a large leisure facility, The Watershed, which offers pay-as-you-go membership options for visitors as well as an extensive timetable of fitness classes.

Sports

You’ll likely find a club here no matter your sporting interest. Choose from tennis, badminton, kayaking, cycling, martial arts, basketball, walking, and more. Or if you’ve the energy, give them all a go.

Kilkenny’s number one sporting activity is hurling. If you’re not familiar, this traditional Gaelic sport involves two teams of 15 players battling for control of a ball known as a sliotar while brandishing a wooden stick with a flattened curved tip, known as a hurley. It’s a lively, often brutal sport but the atmosphere at a match is not to be missed. You can watch one at the local stadium, Nowlan Park.

Hurling has a long and proud tradition in the county and the Kilkenny team are known as “the cats”—a nickname derived from a brutal fable of two felines that fought so fiercely that only their tails remained.

On match days, as well as many others, you’ll see the county colors, black and amber, adorn flags, shop windows, and every other person on the street.

Also, the game is played in most schools, so if you see a bunch of kids in uniform waving wooden sticks and shouting “up the cats”, don’t be alarmed. This is perfectly normal behavior in these parts.

There’s also active bridge clubs, yoga and Pilates classes, theatre groups, birdwatching get-togethers, an archaeological society, a historical society, reading groups, a chess club, choirs, a music academy, and a horticultural society.

Theaters

Theatre-goers and music lovers are sure to find something to keep them entertained at venues including The Watergate Theatre, The Set, The Hub, and Ballykeefe Ampitheatre.

Tourism Attractions

For those on a visit to the city, tourist attractions abound. There’s museums of art and history, you can tour the city on foot with a guide, on a segway or e-bike, or take the road train for a spin around the sights.

For a bird’s-eye view of the city, head for St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower. The 30-meter high tower is one of only two you can climb in Ireland. The views from the top are breath-taking but you’ll need to be comfortable with small spaces as well as heights to make the 121-step, part-ladder, climb to the viewing platform at the top.

Kilkenny Castle

You can also tour Kilkenny Castle—admission is US$9 euros for adults, US$7 for seniors.

When you’ve worked up a thirst wandering the city’s medieval laneways, check out the Smithwick’s Experience, a must for ale-lovers who’ll be fascinated by tales of brewing history and rewarded with a creamy pint at the tour’s conclusion.

Towns And Villages

Outside of the city, there’s no shortage of welcoming towns and villages to explore.

In the village of Kells, you can wander the ruins of Kells Priory, one of Ireland’s largest medieval monuments.

In Inistioge (pronounced ih-nush-teeg) you can see for yourself why Hollywood came calling to film with stars including Mia Farrow and Minnie Driver in this picture-perfect village.

The riverside town of Graiguenamanagh (pronounced greg-na-ma-nuh) is home to historic Duiske Abbey and sits in the foothills of Kilkenny’s highest mountain, Brandon Hill, which reaches an elevation of 515 meters.

Festivals

Back in the city, be sure to check the calendar for one of the many festivals that take place here.

March sees the annual TradFest take place, a celebration of traditional Irish music and dance.

In May, the city’s Roots Festival welcomes some of the finest names in the Americana/Folk-Roots movement.

In June, it’s The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival. Past performers and attendees include comedy greats Bill Murray, George Wendt, Woody Harrelson, Will Durst, and Mitch Hedberg.

August is marked by the vibrant Arts Festival. Everywhere’s a stage, from street corners to bars and beyond, for this 10-day feast of exhibitions and performances from artists, writers, musicians, and all manner of theatrical players.

In October, foodies flock to Savour Kilkenny where artisan food producers, culinary workshops, and unique dining experiences are the order of the day.

November is when economists, financial analysts, media commentators, and comedians team up for Kilkenomics, Europe’s first festival of economics and comedy.

And in December, Yulefest, one of Ireland’s most charming Christmas festivals, rounds out the year.

You won’t have any troubling finding grocery stores, banks, ATMs, libraries, churches, home goods, clothing stores, pharmacies, post offices, clinics, leisure centers, gas stations, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, parks, or bars here.

Outlets of Irish-owned supermarket chains Dunnes Stores and SuperValu can be found throughout the county. Dunnes Stores also incorporates clothing and homeware sections.

Typically, you’ll pay to use the car park when shopping at a rate of about 1 euro 30 per hour.

In the main Dunnes Store outlet in the city, parking is free after 6pm. Opening hours vary between outlets but 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. is a general guide. Sundays and Bank Holidays typically mean later opening and earlier closing hours.

Budget options include ALDI and LIDL, both of which have multiple branches in Kilkenny. Parking at these stores is free.

At most all grocery stores you’ll need a euro coin to use a supermarket trolley and bring your own bags to pack your groceries. Plastic bags are a thing of the past here and reusable ones will run you a euro or so if you forget your own.

For home improvement items, electrical goods, gardening equipment, furniture, and more, head to the city’s retail unit on the outskirts of the city.

You’ll find a few banks here: Permanent TSB, Allied Irish Bank, and Bank of Ireland being the main ones. Kilkenny is also home to a Credit Union, a financial co-operative offerings savings, loans, and current accounts. Membership is usually dependent upon the area you live or your employment.

In terms of health care providers, there’s several medical practices in the city offering GP care.

St Luke’s General Hospital provides a range of acute healthcare services including an Accident and Emergency (In Ireland, ER is called A&E) department. Also. there’s a Caredoc Treatment Centre in the city which provides an out of hours doctors service for those with urgent medical problems.

You’ll also find a range of dentists, physiotherapists, and mental health professionals available.

Kilkenny has a population of 104,160, about 25,000 of whom live in the city. About 10% of the overall population in Kilkenny are from overseas. With so many activities, classes, community groups, and volunteering opportunities on offer here, you won’t have trouble meeting likeminded souls.

To get connected with what’s happening locally, tune into local radio, KCLR, or pick up an edition of the weekly Kilkenny People newspaper.

U.S. citizens in possession of a valid passport can enter Ireland visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days.

If you want to move to Ireland as a retiree then you need to apply for a long stay ‘D’ visa.

On arrival, you then need to apply for a Stamp 0 immigration permission.

In order to obtain this permission, you need to be able to show that that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself in Ireland.

The set requirements are an income of at least US$54,000 per year. For a couple, a joint income of US$108,000 per year is required. Plus, access to a lump sum of money to cover any sudden expenses. This lump sum should cover the cost of a house or an apartment in Ireland. The average house price in Kilkenny in 2023 is US$258,000.

If you are granted a long stay ‘D’ visa, you then need to register for an Irish Residence Permit.

There are no foreign ownership property restrictions in Ireland.

As an Irish resident, you are entitled to a range of public health services. These will be either free of charge or subject to government subsidies.

Bilateral Social Security Agreements are in operation between the U.S. and Ireland and Canada and Ireland.

Kilkenny is located in Ireland’s sunny south-east. The region earned the moniker thanks to the higher than average hours of sunshine enjoyed here—averaging six hours a day in the summer months of May, June, and July.

You’ll enjoy the warmest weather from June to mid-September, with July typically being the hottest month with highs averaging of 66°F (19°C).

April is the driest month, with an average rainfall of 45 millimetres.

The wettest is October, which sees an average rainfall of 76 millimetres.

Light snowfall is common in December, January, and February. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 37°F (3°C).

Here are the top pubs in Kilkenny.

Kytler’s Inn

Here are the top pubs in Kilkenny.

Kytler’s Inn

Located on Kieran Street, the history of Kytler’s Inn dates back to 1263. The original owner was Kilkenny native Dame Alice le Kyteler. In her lifetime she acquired a substantial fortune, 4 husbands, and many enemies.

It was them that conspired to see her face charges of witchcraft before an ecclesiastical court. Alice escaped to England but her maid Petronella wasn’t so fortunate—she was burned at the stake.

Today, Kytler’s is a lively venue. It serves a range of dishes using locally sourced ingredients, has indoor and outdoor seating, friendly bar staff, and regular trad sessions. And, you’ll also find a statue paying homage to Alice on hand to greet you.

Bollards

Just a door down from Kytler’s is this charming, family-run hostelry. Inside you’ll find cozy snugs, a roaring fire in winter, live music, and a warm welcome. Their outside terrace is the ideal spot to sit and watch the world go by. They also serve food including Irish stew and Beef and Guinness casserole.

John Cleere’s Bar And Theatre

A popular local spot, this long-established pub serves healthy mains and sinful deserts. It’s also where you’ll find free trad sessions in the bar and ticketed gigs in the backroom venue.

The Hole In The Wall

You’ll find this quirky pub down a laneway in the inner house of a Tudor mansion dating to 1582. This hidden gem has an outdoor seating area and upstairs music venue. It opens from 6 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.

Kilkenny, Ireland, offers a wide variety of choice for food-lovers.

For example, you’ll find plenty of fast-food outlets, including McDonald’s and KFC, alongside Ireland’s own fast food restaurant chain, Supermac’s. There are also a range of family-run takeaways serving up burgers, chips (fries), pizzas, and kebabs. You’ll also have no trouble finding a Chinese or Indian takeaway outlet here.

For dining options, most pubs serve a range of traditional dishes and crowd-pleasing options. You’ll find burgers, soup, fish dishes, steak, chicken, and vegetarian options on most menus. A meal for two, with drinks, in any pub will run you about 50 euros.

Popular options include Billy Byrne’s, Kytler’s Inn, Breathnach’s, Langtons, and Bollards.

In most of the city’s many cafés—such as Pennyfeather Café, Arán, Ground Floor Café—you can enjoy soup, salads, and sandwiches. A lunch for two will run you in the region of 25 euros.

Dinner options include Spanish—The Grapevine; Asian—Aroi and Kyoto; Italian; Italian Connection and La Rivista.

Zuni, which serves lunch and dinner, is a popular choice among locals. They offer an early bird menu with three courses for US$45.

Above all, for a Michelin-star experience, head to French-inspired Campagne.

History lovers will enjoy Rothe House and Gardens and the Medieval Mile Museum.

Dating to 1594 and once the home of wealthy merchant, Rothe House is notable for its surviving post-medieval features. Admission for seniors is US$11 for a guided tour and US$9 for a self-guided tour.

Rothe House is also home to the county’s genealogical research centre so if you think your family tree has roots here, this is the place to start your search.

The Medieval Mile Museum is open 7 days a week from 9.30 a.m. and admission is US$9 for an interactive audio tour and US$14 for a guided tour. The museum also offers a walking tour on weekends which is US$17 a ticket.

Other attractions include Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, and the Black Abbey.

On the other hand, if art is your passion, check out Butler Gallery which is home to a collection of Irish art and, The National Design & Craft Gallery which is located opposite the castle.

Butler Gallery is open 6 days a week—from Tuesday through Sunday—and admission is free. Admission is also free to The National Design & Craft Gallery. It opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Kilkenny city is where you’ll find most shops, bars, restaurants, tourist attractions, and other amenities but there are a number of other large towns you might like to visit or consider a move to.

Callan

This ancient market town has a population of around 3,000 and has a bustling main street with thriving shops and businesses. There are schools, a library, churches, and a post office. And, you’ll also find a couple large supermarkets on the edge of the town.

Castlecomer

Set in a wooded valley in the north of the county, Castlecomer was once a mining town. Today, it’s home to around 1,500 people. The town has a couple small supermarkets, schools, and a few shops and pubs, as well as a golf course.

One of the town’s biggest attractions is the Discovery Park. It’s an outdoor park that features walking trails, canoeing, biking, zip-lining, and axe-throwing. There’s also a coffee shop and restaurant as well as shops selling artisan goods.

Gowran

The pretty town of Gowran was once the seat of the kings of Ossory. In its centre sits St. Mary’s Collegiate Church (admission is free). There’s also a race course, golf club, and pitch-and-putt course here. Firstly, it’s a small spot, home to around 1,000 residents and while there’s a couple small shops in the town, you’ll need a car to access nearby supermarkets, about a 10-minute drive away.

Thomastown

Probably Kilkenny’s best connected town, Thomastown is served by a train service with regular connections to Kilkenny city (10 minutes away) as well as Dublin (about a 3-hour trip) and Waterford (a 25-minute journey).

There’s a population of about 2,400 here. With schools, large supermarkets, pubs, and cafés aplenty. Plus, you’ll find a thriving arts scene here as well as an active paddling club that makes great use of the town’s riverside location.