Proprietor and teacher, Anne Neary takes pride in using quality, locally sourced ingredients in her classes. Cook fantastic meals with produce fresh from her home farm or local farmers in the area. All of the eggs used in the classes at Ryeland House Cookery School come from Anne’s very own free range hens. Choose from a wide range of classes including salads, barbeque and summer cooking to name a few. Enjoy cookery demonstrations and hands on practice in a relaxed and comfortable surrounding. Both day and evening courses are available, as well as bookings for private parties and corporate groups.
Victor's Bar & Restaurant at The Club House Hotel in Kilkenny City, selects only the finest local produce, along with fresh fish from Dunmore East in nearby County Waterford, to create dishes of the highest standards. Children are always welcome, and a varied children’s menu offers wide choices for all ages. At dinner, a great value early bird menu is served nightly, and their sumptuous a la carte menu has something for everyone. Their signature dish, The Club House Kilkenny Steak, is one of the best in the city making Victor's Bar & Restaurant at The Club House Hotel a great choice for dining in Kilkenny. A fine selection of drinks and wines and occasional live music, usually on Saturday nights, makes it an ideal place for a great night out. Some of the appealing features of Victors Bar & Restaurant at The Club House Hotel are the two open fires during the winter months, traditional bar stools, comfortable chairs and even some sofas for those who really want to relax.
A substantial portal dolmen, of which the capstone is, uniquely, cantilevered. Signposted, access from a private avenue. Kilmogue dolmen, known locally as 'Leac an Scail' stone of the warrior or hero. It is one of the tallest and most spectacular examples of a portal dolmen in Ireland. Not only is the sheer size of this tomb impressive but also the engineerin, the portal tomb has been constructed using a large capstone resting on two large portal stones and a pillow stone resting on a backstone. The portal stones are around 3.7m high and the capstone reaches up well over 4m. Note that this portal dolmen it is also signposted as Harristown Dolmen.
Yesterdays is home to a truly different collection of home accessories and personal luxuries from around the world. The shop is unashamedly in love with the grace and style of a bygone era and celebrates long forgotten craftsmanship and creativity. For those who appreciate design led quality, Yesterdays in Kilkenny City centre offers hand crafted Tiffany lamps, Arabian inspired light shades, a boutique range of framed prints and much, much more.
Castlecomer Estate yard was a farmyard, stables and kitchen gardens which provided the fresh produce for the Wandesforde family and many who lived and worked on the estate during the 1700's. Today the stables are home to some of Irelands best known and most innovative craft makers. Visitors to the yard are always impressed with the quality and range of the craftwork made by the resident makers. Castlecomer Estate yard was a farmyard, stables and kitchen gardens which provided the fresh produce for the Wandesforde family and many who lived and worked on the estate during the 1700's. Today the stables are home to a growing group of crafts people and artists. The first section of the yard has been fully restored and adapted to facilitate the resident artisans. Included in the yard are potters Susan Boland and Rosemarie Durr, ceramicist Andrew Ludick, Jewellers Carl Parker, Derek Blanche and Dani at Artists By Night, Stonecarver Aileen Anne Brannigan, Artist Eugene Conway, Selina Gittens of Eclectic Interiors, Poppys Candy Store and Tunde Toth, handmade paper making and textiles. All shops and studios provide a fabulous range of products to suit everyone’s taste, and most importantly to suit everyone’s pocket. All the craft studio provide a meet the maker experience where you can see them at work throughout the day. Accompanying the craft yard is Castlecomer Discovery Park which provides many other facilities including the tree top walk, climbing wall and leap of faith. Coal mining museum. Over 5km of beautiful woodland walks including a sculpture trail. Two freshwater fishing lakes. Children’s playground. And the award winning Jarrow Cafe The spacious oak timbered surroundings of the Jarrow Cafe run by Anna and Evan Stewart provides a wide range of home made delights including cakes, breads, soup, hot meals and imaginative salads. There are also a wide range of teas and coffees, or even wine to choose from and includes toilet facilities. There is ample car parking available. There is a small fee of 2euro per day, however café and shop customers can have there parking validated. Refer to the website for more details about craft Workshops in Pottery, Jewellery, Paper Art and Furniture Painting.
Zuni Restaurant, located on Patrick Street in Kilkenny City has gained a reputation for being one of Kilkenny’s best restaurant and bar. Chef Michael Thomas and his team presides over this award winning Kilkenny restaurant, where the food is prepared with the best local ingredients to create colourful and inventive dishes. Zuni Restaurant offer Gluten Free options. Chef Thomas’ sublime food is served in Zuni's striking dining room, a room with a wonderful feeling of space, tastefully designed with a subtle open plan kitchen. The attention to detail in the furniture & fittings, the sense of light, and of course the wonderful food, create a unique dining experience. Whether you’re here for a business dinner or slap-up party you’ll love the restaurant either way. The elegant Zuni Bar to the front of the main restaurant, opens for breakfast from 08:00 daily and stays open throughout the afternoon and evening for pre dinner drinks and lite meals.
Ballyrafton Wood is located about half way between Kilkenny and Castlecomer on the main road, in County Kilkenny. Its facilities include riverside forest walks, picnic tables, seats and free car park. There is also a tower bridge crossing the river Dinan. There is a riverside walk of about 1.6km at Ballyrafton. The main tree species are native oak woodland, also some ash. The fauna includes otter, grey squirrel and the native red squirrel.
Brid Lyons Ceramics is an impressive clay creations ceramic studio and gallery located in Thomastown, County Kilkenny. Brid designs and hosts a wide variety of contemporary ceramic pieces, original designs and sculptural work. Brid’s sculptural works are creative in form with vibrant glazes creating a unique character for each piece. A visit is a must for every ceramic enthusiast. Browse sculptural ceramics with a life of their own, all inspired by the connections Brid observes between nature and art. Brid also hosts pottery workshops, from the beginner to the advanced.
Bernard Kavanagh Coaches is a family company in operation since 1945 and today has a fleet of Luxury Touring Coaches. They are proud to be one of Ireland’s largest private coach tour operators with a network of depots and offices nationwide. The fleet consists of state of the art, luxurious coaches, the drivers are experienced and friendly, operating the tours with the utmost care and professionalism. Knowing how important it is for you to have the right coach, in the right place, at the right time. To ensure passenger safety all coaches are fitted with three point safety belts. Bernard Kavanagh Coaches is approved by the CTTC (Coach Tourism & Transport Council).
Mountain View Markets has a dedicated indoor and outdoor market with a diverse variety of vendors, all showcasing a selection of fresh, locally sourced produce, handcrafted goods, artisanal foods and crafts. Whether you are searching for that special gift, a delicious gourmet treat, or simply want to spend a leisurely day exploring some of the best the Ballyhale community has to offer, Mountain View Markets has something for everyone. Delight in a variety of artisanal foods on display including homemade jams, syrups, baked goods and more. Enjoy browsing a wide variety of tasty foods from the food vendors. Stroll through the craft stalls selling beautiful handmade items, from jewellery and pottery to textiles and home décor. There is also live musical entertainment every Sunday at Mountain View Markets.
This small group adventure tour of Ireland gets you off the beaten track with the flexibility to stay in some great locations. The tour goes where the big tour buses can’t get to, where you can experience the wild side of Ireland. In a small group everyone gets to know each other and to share an adventure of a lifetime. Enjoy a variety of activity options including hiking, cycling, kayaking, horse riding, stand up paddle boarding and surfing, in some of the most scenic locations in Ireland. Discover Ireland’s historical treasures and learn about the rich history from the Neolithic period to the modern age. These include a visit to the Rock of Cashel, Ross Castle, Ancient Neolithic stone forts and monuments, Celtic ring forts and burial tombs. All that adventure is thirsty work and at the end of each day it’s time to swap stories with a pint of Guinness in one of the many excellent pubs along the route. After a day on your small group adventure tour of Ireland there’s nothing better than a comfortable bed to sleep in or a lovely dinner in one of Ireland’s many great restaurants. Stay in lively towns along the route where you will have a full choice of food and entertainment. Your guide will also be at hand to provide recommendations on some of the best local music and restaurants. Private Tours For private groups of four or more, a custom tour can be arranged. Boru Irish Adventures know some of the best that Ireland has to offer. If you would like to spend the night in a castle or you are looking for some of the best surf breaks, they have you covered. They love working with special interest groups like hill walkers, paddlers or kite surfers to arrange your small group tour. Boru Irish Adventures specialise in adventure travel and can recommend a mix of adventure activities.
The Field Bar & Restaurant is a perfect fusion of Irish charm and real world appeal finished perfectly with bespoke traditional tables and chairs giving the feel that you are in an ‘auld Irish farmhouse kitchen’. The menu is simple but tasty, a mixture of locally sourced foods including black angus meats and fresh seafood from a nearby fishing village - with Fish and Chips, Seafood Chowder, and a Lamb Stew to die for. Food is served from 9am to 9pm both on the ground floor Field Bar and in the upstairs Castle Tavern Medieval Bar and Restaurant which is an entirely separate entity and a throwback to medieval Norman Kilkenny. The Field Bar started life at 231st and Broadway in The Bronx, New York, 1994, born of the inspiration derived from a viewing of the movie version of John B. Keane’s tragic play “The Field”. This was the first site that John and Sally Anne McDonald plied their trade in the bar and restaurant business. Four bars and 22 years later The Field was bought and christened in the medieval city of Kilkenny and is flourishing. A self descriptive establishment which embraces the best of traditional Irish wood and flagstones and featuring hundreds of pictures from all over the sporting world. A vast array of sports memorabilia including signed Jerseys, Muhammad Ali’s Glove, Pele’s Jersey, a 21ft long hurley signed by legends of the Kilkenny and Irish Sporting fraternity adorns its walls. The Castle Tavern Medieval Bar and Restaurant is designed to look like the original Castle Tavern Alehouse, which was founded in 1620, making it one of Kilkenny’s oldest bars, with a history to match. The original Castle Tavern Alehouse was home to King James II’s mistress Orlaith Breathneach during his time in Kilkenny. Mysteriously murdered, her ghost roams the floors of this historic building. The Castle Tavern also played host to Ireland’s most famous Highwayman James Freaney, who resided here for 5 years during an incredible career that saw him become Ireland’s ‘Robin Hood’ and the most wanted man in Britain. While history lives and breathes at The Field, its real heart is its entertainment which, not surprisingly, has a huge emphasis on traditional music starting each day at 3pm and going straight through to close with late bars and live Rock Bands all weekend. Featuring famous names and acts such as Jackie McCracken, Adrian "Tailor" Cashin, Helen Campion, Rob Strong and many more at a venue that’s now synonymous with good music and entertainment, The Field is a constant hub of activity. If it’s good food and music you want in a great atmosphere, then the Field Bar & Restaurant is the place to visit in Kilkenny.
Operated by BoatTrips.ie, these traditional open boat tours offer a special way to explore Kilkenny City. Departing from Canal Square, each 45 minute tour glides past notable landmarks such as Kilkenny Castle, Green's Bridge and St. Canice’s Cathedral, accompanied with local commentary throughout. Ideal for families, couples and groups, it's a relaxing outing suitable for all ages. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as kingfishers and swans while enjoying a peaceful escape in the heart of Kilkenny. Tours operate daily from April to October.
Bollards Bar & Bistro on Kieran Street, in the heart of Kilkenny City’s shopping area, has been in the Bollard family since 1904. Bollard's Bar combines traditional ambience and hospitality with the very best of modern-day customer service, welcoming visitors and locals alike to enjoy their winning combination of traditional and contemporary food and drink. Bollards values its renown as a place of warm welcomes and comfort, and these values are just as important today as they were in 1904. Recommended by Best Food Guides, Bollards signature dishes such as Guinness Casserole and Irish Stew are sure to get your mouth watering
Master potter Nicholas Mosse crafts fine earthenware from Irish clay. Decorated with traditional motifs inspired by old Irish spongeware, his work is loved by people across the world. Browse the huge range of pottery over three floors of the charming flour mill, or join a guided tour to see potters create these works of art by hand. Tours must be booked in advance. Explore the studio and learn about the history of the mill and after, visit the upstairs café that overlooks the River Nore. Spot the magnificent multi-arched bridge from which the town gets its name. The food in the café is made from local ingredients and the flour used in all the baked goods comes from a nearby mill, relax over a coffee in this scenic place.
Enjoy an open boat excursion along the gentle flowing River Barrow in County Kilkenny. All tours depart from the quayside in the picturesque town of Graiguenamanagh, nestled on the border between the counties of Kilkenny and Carlow in south east Ireland. The boat can carry a maximum capacity of 12 passengers and each tour lasts up to one hour. The tour operates seven days a week. Trips depart Graiguenamanagh Quay travelling to Upper Tinnahinch Lock and Ballykeenan Lock. Marvel at the dramatic scenery and spectacular wooded valleys. Look out for local wildlife and lock houses, where lock keepers once lived. Travel the old navigations and lateral canals once used by the Guinness barges.
Footgolf Kilkenny at the Pococke Golf Course near Kilkenny City is a mature parkland golf course, open to the public. The course features water on several holes as well as greenside and fairways, bunkers, mature spinnes and other obstacles. The rules of Footgolf are the same as golf. Each hole carries a par and the aim is to get the football into the bigger hole in as few shots as possible. Suitable for both the experienced and new player. The Pococke Golf Centre is the ideal venue for birthday parties, hen and stag parties, group and corporate bookings. The Pococke Golf Centre provides 3 exciting and challenging different golfing sports and family games, so why not make a day of it. Footgolf Kilkenny is open all year round. Light refreshments, club hire and ball sales are available in the clubhouse as well as sweets, chocolate and bathroom facilities.
Cushendale Woollen Mills is committed to using rare Irish sheep's fleeces to produce high quality genuine textiles as one of the last vertical Irish woollen mills still in operation. This historic artisan mill, tucked away in the heart of Ireland, has a long history dating back to 1204 when Cistercian monks first built a mill here. Since 1778, the Cushen family has been weaving and carrying on this age old custom. Every textile and yarn produced by Cushendale Woollen Mills is evidence of their dedication to quality and heritage. The finest Irish wool, lambswool and mohair are used in the design and creation of custom textiles that capture their devotion and artistry. Explore the historic mill and see how fine textiles evolve from raw fleeces.
Waterside Bike and Hike is in the heart of Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny, a Medieval river town, located in the scenic Barrow Valley. It provides the opportunity to explore the Barrow river towpath using pedal power in a safe traffic free environment. With the choice of adult and children’s mountain bikes, as well as electric bikes there is a lot to see in the surrounding area. Visitors can cycle down to St. Mullins and stop for tea or coffee at Mullichain Café, or be a bit more adventurous and take the back roads to Inistioge, where they can wander the fantastic arboretum at Woodstock Gardens. Groups can also benefit from a custom built mountain bike trailer which can deliver up to 20 bikes up the valley to Bagenalstown or Goresbridge, allowing visitors to cruise back down river to Graiguenamanagh at their own pace. Waterside Bike and Hike is part of the family run Waterside Guesthouse giving residents a discounted rate on bike hire. The surrounding area is also ideal for hill walking, fishing, rowing and canoeing.
Set in a 200 year old forest, Castlecomer Golf Club, designed by Pat Ruddy, provides a great test of golf combined with breath taking views of the local terrain. The 18-hole layout with tees and greens have been designed and built to USGA standards. The holes have sand based fairways with irrigation built in. The construction of the latter from the outset is rare for parkland layouts in Ireland, but certainly ensures top class, year round playing conditions, no matter what the prevailing climatic conditions, and ensures an enjoyable experience from beginning to end for visitors. Castlecomer Golf Club is open to non members from Monday to Fridays.
Kiltorcan Raceway operate a 1100 metre smooth, all weather circuit, supplying everything needed for a thrilling driving experience. Karting, at any level or ability, is challenging and fun. Kiltorcan Raceway works to ensure that it is also safe for all the family from the age of five years and above. Many different options are offered in single seater karts and the 2Drive karts. As well as offering a range of events for groups of 10 drivers or more, Kiltorcan Raceway also provide 30 minute and 60 minute sprint sessions for individuals or smaller groups. Always remember to give a call to Kiltorcan Raceway prior to your visit so they can advise on available karting times.
Located in the heart of Kilkenny, on the site of 13th-century St Mary’s church and graveyard, the Medieval Mile Museum represents an immense treasure trove of artefacts encompassing more than 800 years of history. The museum displays Kilkenny’s civic treasures, showcasing high crosses, magnificent stone carved tombs and significant artefacts unearthed during the restoration of the church and surrounding graveyard. Highlights of the visit include the ornate Rothe Chapel with tombs belonging to the medieval merchant Rothe family and the High Cross Exhibition which introduces the High Kings of Ossory and the foundation of the monastery of Kilkenny by St Canice. Self-guided and guided tours are available.
Lanigans Bar and Restaurant is located in the heart of Kilkenny city on historic Rose Inn Street. A family run business, Lanigan’s serve only the best of Irish food. A full a la carte menu is available for lunch and dinner and all our produce is locally sourced and Bord Bia approved. Conveniently located just minutes from Kilkenny’s bus and railway station, Lanigan's host live music seven nights a week during the summer months with resident bands such as 'The Kilkennys', 'The Gypsys' and 'Divil the Bit'. During the winter months, there is live music every Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. For sports fans there are six plasma TV screens for all sporting events shown on channels including Sky Sports, ESPN, Setanta Sports, and At the Races. Lanigan’s is a must for any visit to Kilkenny and is the ‘top’ venue for weekend nights with live bands, late bar and two DJs on two floors.
Inspired by the natural world of the garden and countryside that surround their studio near Cuffesgrange in County Kilkenny, each piece is carefully painted in beautiful colours and motifs. A very special find is the lustreware that Mark makes. This ancient technique is very precious and rarely practiced in the world today. Mark & Caroline warmly welcome visitors and happily chat about their work.