Kilkenny city is Ireland's most historic and compact medieval city. The use of the term city is a point of some dispute. Kilkenny's inhabitants claim its city status because of a medieval charter it received 800 years ago. Kilkenny's centre is based on the west bank of the River Nore around Parliament Street, Hight Street and the Parade, with Rothe House at one end and Kilkenny Castle on the hill at the other.
In recent years Kilkenny City has become a hub for arts, crafts and design. With its great nightlife and restaurant scene Kilkenny makes an excellent base for exploring Ireland's 'sunny southeast'.
Highlights of the Year
Throughout the year there are things for visitors to Kilkenny to see and do. Highlights of the year include Kilkenny Arts Week in August and the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in June. Other festivals include the Kilkenny Rhythm n' Roots in May, Kilkenny Celtic festival in September and October.
Modern Kilkenny's origins are rooted in the middle ages when a monastery was founded there, from which the city (and county) takes it's name. Much of it's old medieval architecture remains intact and the street plan of the centre has changed little in the last six hundred years.
Map of Kilkenny City
Getting To and Around Kilkenny City
For information on getting to and around Co. Kilkenny, see our Co. Kilkenny Transport Guide.
Public Transport to and around Kilkenny City
KK1 Loughboy Retail Pk, stop 10300 Bus route operated by City Direct
KK1 N77 Roundabout, stop 10333 Bus route operated by City Direct
KK2 Purcellsinch Term, stop 10269 Bus route operated by City Direct
KK2 Leggetsrath, stop 10273 Bus route operated by City Direct
KK2 St Luke's Hospital, stop 10298 Bus route operated by City Direct
Kildare/Waterford Service Rail service operated by Irish Rail
73 Waterford Bus Station - Outside Train Station Bus route operated by Bus Éireann
73 Outside Train Station - Waterford Bus Station Bus route operated by Bus Éireann
374 Kilkenny Station - New Ross (The Quay) Bus route operated by Bus Éireann
374 New Ross (Supervalu The Quay) - Kilkenny Station Bus route operated by Bus Éireann
600 Bachelors Walk, stop 316 Bus route operated by Dublin Coach
600 WIT, stop 352501 Bus route operated by Dublin Coach
600 Bus route operated by Dublin Coach
736 Zone 16 Bus route operated by Kenneally's Bus Service
736 WIT, stop 352111 Bus route operated by Kenneally's Bus Service
817 Ormonde Road, Stop 10313 Bus route operated by Bernard Kavanagh & Sons
817 Eden Quay, stop 297 Bus route operated by Bernard Kavanagh & Sons
838 Portlaoise Railway Station Bus route operated by Slieve Bloom Coach Tours
838 Dunnes Stores Bus route operated by Slieve Bloom Coach Tours
871 Bus route operated by JJ/Bernard Kavanagh
873 Bus route operated by J.J Kavanagh & Sons
873 Carlow Coach Park, stop 335572 Bus route operated by J.J Kavanagh & Sons
881 Bus route operated by Michael Kilbride
881 Graiguenamanagh Bus route operated by Michael Kilbride
882 The Quay, stop 355471 Bus route operated by Michael Kilbride
882 Ormonde Road, Stop 10313 Bus route operated by Michael Kilbride
890 Bus route operated by Buggys Coaches
890 Castlecomber Church, stop 351011 Bus route operated by Buggys Coaches
891 Bohernatounish Road Bus route operated by Buggys Coaches
891 Castlecomber Church, stop 351011 Bus route operated by Buggys Coaches
Public transport route information is Irish Public Sector Data licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence
Browse Places to Stay
Things to Do in Kilkenny City
- Black Abbey Abbey Street
- Butler Gallery The Castle, Kilkenny
- Kilkenny Castle Kilkenny City
- Kilkenny Design Centre Castleyard
- Medieval Mile Museum St Mary's Parish Church, St Mary's Lane, High Street
- Rothe House Kilkenny City
- Saint Canices Cathedral Kilkenny
- Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny Parliament St
- Watergate Theatre Parliament Street, Kilkenny
- William Street Gallery 3 William Street
Browse Places to Eat and Drink
Events in Kilkenny City
- Kilkenny Arts Festival Kilkenny City
- Kilkenny Cat Laughs Kilkenny City
- Kilkenomics Kilkenny City