County Kilkenny Tourist Attractions List of sites and attractions in County Kilkenny

Although parts of the castle date from the 13th century, the existing structure has the feel of an 18th-century palace. There have been many modifications since medieval times, including the addition of beautiful landscaping around the castle.

Nestled in the Nore River Valley, cupped in the soft palm of rounded hills, this idyllic riverfront village with two spacious greens and a collection of pleasant cafes and pubs is among the most photographed Irish towns. It also attracts hosts of anglers, as fish invariably show good taste and love this place.

Slightly larger than a small town but terribly picture-postcard nonetheless, Kilkenny may offer the best surviving Irish example of a medieval town. Its walls, the splendidly restored castle, and the renowned design center housed in the castle stables draw visitors from Ireland and abroad. Kilkenny, however, is no museum. Many regard it as perhaps the most attractive large town in Ireland.

Jerpoint is perhaps the finest representative of the many Cistercian abbeys whose ruins dot the Irish landscape. What draws visitors are the splendid cloister, the most richly carved in Ireland, and the impressive tomb sculptures. The abbey's tower is the tallest of its kind in Ireland.