Title: Visit County Kilkenny: Best of County Kilkenny Tourism | Expedia Travel Guide - Expedia.ca [County Kilkenny Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-County-Kilkenny.d6056855.Hotel-Destinations)[Vacation Rentals in County Kilkenny](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-County-Kilkenny.d6056855.Vacation-Rental-Destinations)[County Kilkenny Flights](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-County-Kilkenny.d6056855.Flight-Destinations)[Things to do in County Kilkenny](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-County-Kilkenny.d6056855.Travel-Guide-Activities)[County Kilkenny Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-County-Kilkenny.d6056855.Car-Rental-Destinations)[County Kilkenny Vacations](https://expedia.ca/County-Kilkenny.d6056855.Destination-Travel-Guides) # County Kilkenny ## Ireland ![Inistioge featuring a river or creek, a bridge and landscape views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/38000/38836-Inistioge.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![County Kilkenny](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/524000/524867-county-kilkenny.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![County Kilkenny](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/524000/524864-county-kilkenny.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![County Kilkenny](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/524000/524842-county-kilkenny.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![County Kilkenny](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/524000/524856-county-kilkenny.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) #### This medieval riverside city is known internationally as Ireland’s centre for contemporary arts, culture and entertainment. Kilkenny is known as the creative heart of Ireland. The small city is more than 400 years old. Today visitors will find a lively town with a reputation as a center for culture and the arts. Kilkenny’s medieval architecture makes a visually stunning backdrop for the long list of cultural events hosted here each year, including the Kilkenny Arts Festival. Explore art galleries and restaurants that sit beside traditional pubs in the narrow medieval streets. The town – or city, as locals would have it – is overlooked by Kilkenny Castle, which dates from the 12th century. The castle sits on the banks of the River Nore and is surrounded by parkland. Other important landmarks include St. Canice’s Cathedral, a beautifully-restored tribute to the 6th-century monk after whom Kilkenny was named. Climb the Round Tower that stands beside it. The tower is the oldest intact structure in Kilkenny, and one of only two such towers in Ireland that can be climbed. If the weather permits, you can enjoy great views of the city from the top of the tower. Kilkenny comes alive in the evenings and at weekends, when locals and visitors head to the many city-center pubs and restaurants to enjoy the warm atmosphere and live music. The town’s events calendar is packed with international arts festivals celebrating theater, comedy, music and dance. Entertainment takes over the streets and outdoor spaces in summer. Exhibitions at the Butler Gallery or National Craft Gallery also add to the thriving local arts and culture scene. Kilkenny’s compact center is easy to explore on foot. Plan your visit on a weekday or outside of the peak holiday season to avoid the crowds of tourists that flock here for festivals and events. If you’re pressed for time, half a day is enough to see all the main attractions. It’s worth lingering a while to enjoy as much as possible of the culture, history and good cheer for which Kilkenny is famous. ### Popular cities in County Kilkenny [KilkennyKnown for Bars, Historical and Castle](https://expedia.ca/Kilkenny.dx8298) ## Reasons to visit - Kilkenny Castle - St. Canice's Cathedral - Black Abbey [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Kilkenny.dx8298)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Kilkenny-Hotels.d8298.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [ThomastownKnown for Golf, Relaxing and Spas](https://expedia.ca/Thomastown.dx9678) ## Reasons to visit - Jerpoint Abbey [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Thomastown.dx9678)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Thomastown-Hotels.d9678.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [KellsKnown for Culture, Monuments and Historical](https://expedia.ca/Kells.dx6348739) ## Reasons to visit - Kells Priory [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Kells.dx6348739)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Kells-Hotels.d6348739.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [GowranKnown for Family-friendly](https://expedia.ca/Gowran.dx6168410) [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Gowran.dx6168410)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Gowran-Hotels.d6168410.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [InistiogeKnown for Countryside, Relaxing and Gardens](https://expedia.ca/Inistioge.dx6202392) Spend a day fishing and explore the cobblestone streets of this picturesque village, a short drive from Kilkenny. [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Inistioge.dx6202392)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Inistioge-Hotels.d6202392.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [CallanKnown for Family-friendly, Business and Sports](https://expedia.ca/Callan.dx6168408) [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Callan.dx6168408)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Callan-Hotels.d6168408.Travel-Guide-Hotels) ## Cities in County Kilkenny ![Inistioge](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/38000/38836-Inistioge.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Inistioge Spend a day fishing and explore the cobblestone streets of this picturesque village, a short drive from Kilkenny. [](https://expedia.ca/Inistioge.dx6202392) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app ![QR code to download the app](data:image/png;base64,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)