How to Visit Kilkenny Castle
Here's our guide on Kilkenny Castle in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, things to see on a self-guided tour, opening hours, when to go, and how to get.
Overlooking the River Nore for 800 years, Kilkenny Castle is the main attraction in the little town of Kilkenny.
Without any doubt, there are tons of amazing castles in Ireland.
And we had quite a difficult time figuring out which ones were worth seeing before our journey around the Emerald Isle. It was a bit different story when it came to Kilkenny Castle.
From the start, we knew we would be passing through the town, so it only made sense to include it in our Ireland road trip itinerary.
So after hiking in the Wicklow Mountains and seeing the Glendalough Monastic Site, we were ready for a medieval-town experience.
There are plenty of things to see and do in Kilkenny. But we were really excited to see the castle, so that's where we headed first.
What should you expect from a visit to this charming castle, and is it really worth seeing? Let's find out.
Here's everything you should know before visiting Kilkenny Castle.
History
Kilkenny Castle was built in the 12th century on River Nore by the 2nd Earl of Pembroke (known as Strongbow).
As it was built on a strategic point, its first purpose was to control several routes.
The original wooden structure was replaced by a stone castle not that long after.
Later, it became the seat of the wealthy and powerful Butler family. Butler of Ormonde arrived in Ireland during the Norman invasion and bought the castle in 1381.
The family lived there until 1935 when they moved to London and left the castle to its destiny due to increasing costs of upkeep.
The castle was remodeled from a medieval fortress to an opulent manor during Victorian times, and even several important events happened there throughout the centuries.
In 1967, the abandoned castle was sold to the people of Kilkenny for £50, and the town spent the next decades refurbishing the grounds.
Today Kilkenny Castle is one of the town's top landmarks visited by tourists from all over the world.
Visiting Kilkenny Castle
For us, Kilkenny Castle was the first proper castle we visited on our Ireland road trip.
Sure, we already visited Powerscourt House, but since the original castle was seriously altered over the course of time, we give the honor to Kilkenny.
And quite honestly, we couldn't wish for a better welcome to this land of castles.
Castle Entrance
The entrance to the castle is from Parade Street, about 100 meters from High Street and Parade junction.
On the day of our visit, there was a small local market in front of the castle with stalls selling local products.
While the selections looked delicious, we knew that buying fresh fish or a jar of honey was not the best idea before exploring the castle interiors, so we just looked around briefly and continued to the main gate.
There are basically two ways to experience Kilkenny Castle.
Go straight to an exciting part and follow a self-guided tour, or allow a knowledgeable guide to show you around.
We chose the first option, bought the tickets at the desk, and started our self-guided tour without any delays.
Self-Guided Tour
Unlike many self-guided tours we have done in the past, this one was very accessible and informative, including access to tons of information.
Even we, who didn't know anything about this castle before the trip, felt that we had learned a lot about the history by the end of the tour.
We knew that we would visit many castles, abbeys, and churches in Ireland.
Therefore, we were quite picky about what tickets and guided tours we should purchase as they can quickly add up to the total budget.
And as we were visiting Ireland on a budget, we tried to keep our expenses at bay. But Kilkenny Castle was one of those places where we didn't have to think twice about going inside.
We were also pleasantly surprised that you can explore Kilkenny Castle on a self-guided tour, which we see as a huge advantage for many travelers.
Guided Tours
Once inside Kilkenny Castle, the guide will take you through the different parts of the structure and tell you its fascinating history, including things you won't hear from the audio guide.
There are tons of information about the castle's history on the official website, but it requires a lot of reading which might be a bit distracting.
If you have time, guided tours are always a great way to learn more about the castle. And we have a strong feeling that Kilkenny is no exception.
For instance, we joined a guided tour at Rock of Cashel, which was a great experience. However, we were in a bit of a hurry here and didn't have time to wait for another guided tour, so we opted for a self-guided tour.
We didn't mind, though, as we usually prefer to go at our own pace.
Castle Experience
Whether you take a self-guided or guided tour, you will learn much about the castle's history quickly.
Therefore, we won't spoil your experience by describing everything you will see there, but rather just highlight some of our favorite things we saw while there.
There is a lot to be discovered in the castle, but one of the hidden gems can be found right in the Main Entrance Hall.
The black and white stone floor, the swords, antlers, and paintings of Butlers create a typical castle interior look.
But the main focal point of this room is the old marble table.
As it happens, it has quite extraordinary history, as it was one of the few things that were not sold in the auction but left behind in its original place.
We have to say that the main reason why to visit Kilkenny Castle is the story behind the events of the 20th century.
The castle was abandoned and fell into disrepair, and then it was fully restored to its past glory.
And this room, together with the table, is the symbol of this story.
It's remarkable how much of the interior was rebuilt from scratch, and it shows the story of the entire castle in a completely different light.
On the surface, Kilkenny castle may appear just like another typical castle remodeled into a manor. But once you know the history, it's definitely worth a visit.
By the way, there are photos that illustrate the state of the castle before the renovations, so don't forget to check them out to see the before/after state.
One of the highlights of Kilkenny Castle is the Picture Gallery on the east side of the building.
It features a great collection of paintings and tapestry, but we also admired the wooden roof with massive beams that was remodeled in the 19th century.
The sheer size of the hall is impressive, and you can easily spend quite some time here.
Overall, we had a great time browsing the castle's interiors and learning about its fascinating history.
Unlike our visits to Blarney Castle or Kylemore Abbey, we happened to arrive at Kilkenny Castle on a relatively quiet day.
And being able to see the interiors without any massive crowds around us was a huge advantage.
Castle Park
Upon leaving the castle interiors, make sure to take the extra time to explore the castle grounds.
As there is no entry fee to the park, it doesn't matter whether you go before or after your visit.
The park is quite extensive, and it's a perfect place to walk around and relax, especially on a clear and warm day.
How Much Time Do I Need
We spent less than two hours in the castle and the adjacent park.
The guided tours usually take 40-50 minutes, and the self-guided tour takes about the same amount of time.
By the way, Kilkenny Castle is one of the best things to do in Kilkenny, even on a rainy day or if you have only a few hours in the town.
When to Go
Kilkenny Castle is open all year round.
Summer is the peak season in Ireland, so be prepared that the castle gets busy, especially on the weekends.
Visiting the castle in autumn or spring is a great way to avoid the summer crowds.
Winter brings cold and wet weather to this area, often perfect for indoor activities, such as castle or museum explorations.
However, this period is not that great for touring around the island, as the days are short and the weather is far from perfect.
Don't forget to read our guide on when to visit Ireland to learn more about this topic.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
Photography is allowed in Kilkenny Castle (no flash), so bring your phone or travel camera.
Make sure you have comfortable shoes and stay hydrated throughout the day.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
Opening Hours
The castle is open from 9:15 AM to 5:30 PM from April to September. From October to March, the opening hours are 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
Entrance Fee
For adults, Kilkenny Castle admission is €8 for a self-guided tour and €12 for a guided tour.
You can purchase the ticket online or at the ticket desk.
In the peak season, it's better to book the tickets in advance.
Where to Stay
Kilkenny is a small and compact town that is easily covered on foot.
The castle sits in the heart of this charming town, within walking distance from pretty much every accommodation in Kilkenny.
Therefore, you can choose a hotel you like without thinking too much about the location.
Obviously, the estate mentioned below is located a bit further from the city center.
So here we hand-selected top accommodations in Kilkenny.
Budget | Kilkenny Tourist Hostel - Located in the 18th-century townhouse heart of Kilkenny, this hostel offers private rooms and dormitories, luggage storage, a cozy lounge, and a well-equipped kitchen.
Mid-range | Newpark Hotel - This hotel is located in a quiet parkland about 15 minutes walk from the city center. Newpark offers charming rooms with garden views, an indoor pool, a sauna, a steam room, and a gym. Free parking is also available.
Luxury | Lyrath Estate - Set in a beautiful parkland, Lyrath Estate Kilkenny is one of the best hotels you can find on the city outskirts. The hotel has spacious air-conditioned rooms overlooking the estate, award-winning restaurants, a spa with an indoor infinity pool, and free parking.
How to Get There
There are several ways to reach Kilkenny Castle. You can get there by bus, train, car, or just take a guided tour.
Car
The easiest way to get to Kilkenny Castle from Dublin, County Wicklow, or any other place is by car.
The town is about an hour and a half from Dublin and two hours from Cork or Limerick.
By the way, the fastest way to reach Kilkenny is via M7 and M9. However, we suggest taking the scenic Old Military Road and exploring Glendalough before connecting to M9.
Ireland is a perfect place for a road trip, so you should give this idea a try.
Here you will find more tips for driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
Kilkenny Castle has no parking, so you need to leave your car in the town.
While there is street parking in front of the castle, the chances of finding an empty space there are slim.
The nearest designated parking garage is Ormonde Street Car Park, about 300 meters west of the castle.
There are enough designated parking in the town, so you don't need to worry about not being able to find a space once you get there.
By the way, we used the Market Yard Car Park, which is a bit further from the castle but close to Kilkenny Medieval Mile.
Public Transport
From Dublin, you can take a direct bus or train to Kilkenny.
We believe the train is a bit more convenient option in this case, but even taking a direct bus will suffice.
The MacDonagh station is 15 minutes' walking distance from the castle, so you don't need to take a taxi to get there.
Tours
Alternatively, you can always take a guided tour to reach Kilkenny from Dublin.
Here you can reserve a popular Kilkenny and Wicklow Mountains Tour.
Is Kilkenny Castle Worth Visiting?
In our opinion, it is well worth visiting Kilkenny Castle to learn more about its history and architecture, especially since it's so different from traditional medieval fortresses such as Cahir Castle.
It seems to us that the town of Kilkenny is pretty much on every Ireland itinerary, and the castle plays a big part in this fact.
Plus, it's a great day trip from Dublin.
Sure, Kilkenny is conveniently located near Dublin and still retains the medieval small-town flavor.
But it's the stunning castle that really puts it on every Ireland's must-see sites list that is out there.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
