Depart Dublin for a day to explore Kilkenny, a richly historic city that will transport you back in time along cobblestone streets. Here, you’ll marvel at a stunning medieval castle, climb one of the area’s round towers at St. Canice’s Cathedral, and visit the country’s oldest brewery, Smithwicks.
Enjoy a stress-free route with total flexibility at your destination. Your driver provides suggestions based on your interests, helping you spend the day exactly how you want for an experience that's uniquely yours.
Explore Kilkenny, full of medieval charm and home to Ireland’s oldest brewery.
In Kilkenny, you can meander the preserved cobbled streets and learn more about the city’s rich history along the medieval mile. Be sure to take photos outside of the magnificent Kilkenny Castle, and visit St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum for insight into the area’s archaeological heritage. Then, climb the round tower at St. Canice’s Cathedral for unmatched views across the city. Finish the day with a visit to Smitwicks, Ireland’s oldest brewery. A 45-minute tour of the brewery and a pint of the Ale start at 20 euros, with tickets best booked online in advance: https://www.smithwicksexperience.com/tickets
Kilkenny has a strong food scene for a city of its size. Parliament Street and the lanes off High Street are home to a range of cafes, traditional pubs, and restaurants. The area around the Butter Slip laneway is particularly popular and is a good spot for lunch between sightseeing stops.
Kilkenny is around 70 miles (113 km) from Dublin and takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to drive each way. The full round trip with a 3-hour stop in the city is about 6 hours 15 minutes, making it one of the most convenient day trips from Dublin.
Kilkenny Castle is one of Ireland's most iconic landmarks and well worth a visit. A self-guided walk around the grounds is free, while guided tours of the interior take around 45 to 60 minutes. Booking tickets in advance is recommended, especially during summer. The castle gardens are also open to the public and are a lovely spot for a short stroll.
Kilkenny is a very walkable city with a compact historic center. The cobbled streets and medieval laneways are charming but can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. The medieval mile route between the castle and St. Canice's Cathedral is clearly signposted and takes about 20 to 30 minutes at a leisurely pace.
Entry to the grounds of St. Canice's Cathedral is free, but climbing the adjacent round tower carries a small admission fee. The tower dates from the 9th century and offers some of the best elevated views of Kilkenny city. Tickets can be purchased on-site, and the climb is suitable for reasonably fit visitors.
The Smithwicks Experience is a guided tour of Ireland's oldest operating brewery, set in the heart of Kilkenny. The 45-minute tour covers the history of brewing in the city and ends with a tasting. Tickets start at around EUR 20 per person and can be booked at smithwicksexperience.com. Advance booking is strongly recommended, as slots fill up quickly.
Kilkenny is enjoyable year-round, but late spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring the city on foot. The Kilkenny Arts Festival in August draws large crowds and adds a vibrant atmosphere to the city. Spring and autumn are quieter and offer a more relaxed experience of the medieval streets.
Three hours in Kilkenny is enough to explore the highlights. Stroll the medieval mile along Parliament Street and High Street, admire Kilkenny Castle from the outside, visit St. Mary's Medieval Mile Museum, and climb the round tower at St. Canice's Cathedral for panoramic views. If time allows, finish with a visit to Smithwick's Experience, Ireland's oldest brewery.
Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.