Kilkenney

A little history about Kilkenny as well as to see.

Kilkenny Castle has overlooked the River Nore for more than nine hundred years. With its rose garden and ornamental lake has extensive woodland paths are a pleasure to visit. The castle is originally a 12th century castle, two wings of the castle have been restored to their 19th Century splendour with a library, drawing room and the magnificent long gallery. The castle has a state of the art conference centre in one of its 12th Century towers. The Butler Gallery of contemporary art is located at the river wing of the castle.Tour guides tell you all about the history of the castle which you can also expore at your leisure. As this attraction is very busy there are some times delays especially during the summer months.

Rothe House an early 17th Century, Irish merchant’s town house and garden, home to Genealogical research on Kilkenny ancestry is right in the centre of Kilkenny City.It was the John Rothe Fitzpiers family home built 1594 and 1610 and his place of business. He imported fine cloths and silk from England, the house and garden is now owned by the Kilkenny Achaelogical Society where they display their vast collection of artifacts relating to Kilkenny, the library contains a full collection of news papers since 1784, books and family archives.
Saint Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower was built on the site of an earlier church, remains largely unchanged from the 13th century. The cathedral includes a fine collection of tomb stones from the 16th and 17th century and black marble monuments to lords, ladies and bishops. A 15th century manuscript the Red Book of Ossory, chronicles the lives of early saints. On view on the south side is a scale model of the city like it was in 1640, named Cityscope. You can also view carvings in timber and stone dating back to the 13th century. You can also climb a 9th century tower once used by monks for refuge.
An interesting experience is the "Footprints in Coal Experience" a 45 minute tour through Castlecomer’s past, with an interactive multimedia display you are taken on a journey through time. Starting with the formation of the coal 300 million years ago, you travel forward through more than 300 years of coal mining history to when the mines closed in 1969.

Things to do in Kilkenny

Walks
You can go on their 6km of themed woodland walks located between two rainbow trout angling lakes. The three main walking routes are colour coded and signposted for your convenience. There are also a number wooden sculptures created by Irish and International artists made from natural materials from the area. Altogether twelve scupltures were created to blend in with the surroundings but only five remain today.Near the rivers edge close to the car park are also a number of picnic tables with a playground for the childeren.

Golf
Mountain View golf course is designed by Richard Long and John O’Sullivan this course measures over 6000 yards from the champion tees and offers enjoyable golfing experience to players of all standards.The natural contours of the land have been shaped to provide great golfing conditions. Always in immaculate condition, situated on a mountain plateau the course is very rarely affected by weather conditions and is playable all year round.

Gowran Park golf course is unique as that five holes of the golf course are located within the centre of the race courses. The first three holes start inside the track, and then proceed in an anti-clockwise direction, returning inside again. The 9th and the 18th can be seen from the clubhouse. With hole 2 and hole 17 you are challenged by having to avoiding the two lakes. It is a great course with various water traps and bunkers. There are a number of other golf courses such as Callan Golf Club and Mount Juliet Golf Course.

Cycling
You can also see Kilkenny on bikes, Kilkenny Cycling Tours offers you the opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites, including Kilkenny Castle, The Design Centre, Shee Alms House, The Tholsel, The Butterslip, Rothe House, The Old Courthouse, Saint Francis Abbey, The Black Abbey and Saint Canice’s Cathedral.
There are two tours available per day from Langton House Hotel or the Parade in the city centre.

Horse Riding
There is an equestian centre near the historic town of Freshford, it offers an extensive, cross country course to the large and well equipped indoor arena, everything has been carefully planned to provide the best possible enjoyment for each rider, novice or experienced, young or more mature.

Horse racing
Gowran Park in Co. Kilkenny, is one of Ireland’s most scenic racecourses, although complemented by the beautiful scenery, this racecourse is always the centre of attention. Whatever the time of year there is always a fixture to look forward to, the The famous Thyestes Chase starts in January, and the highlight of the racing is in October’s two-day racing festival, there are 16 race meetings throughout the year.