Experiencing Ireland Day Tours

Kilkenny Medieval Castle & City Tour

Start Point:

90-minute drive of Kilkenny city

Departure Time:

09.30am 

Trip Duration:

9 Hour Day Tour

Group Size:

Max 7 People

Price:

€700 

Note:

Guided, customised and private tour 

Trudy Picture

ABOUT

The Charm of Kilkenny

Take a private day tour and experience the charm of Kilkenny City, a 12th-century medieval city which is a vibrant hub of history, heritage and culture. 

We’ll discover its well-preserved architecture and hear the stories of the people who’ve shaped this enchanting city over the centuries.  It includes a private driver-guide, transportation, and insurance.

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ITINERARY

What to Expect!

Kilkenny Castle

Just a 90-minute drive from Dublin we’ll start the day with a visit to Kilkenny Castle, one of my favourites and also one of Ireland’s most iconic castles, built in 1195 by the Anglo-Normans.

Victorian Area

A self-guided tour will allow you to explore the beautifully restored interior, including some of the visible medieval foundations, the Victorian rooms, and the fabulous art gallery.

Medieval Mile Museum

We’ll take a short walk to the Medieval Mile Museum, which is located in the 13th-century St. Mary’s Church.  Here we will learn about the fascinating history of Kilkenny from its medieval roots to modern times through artefacts, manuscripts, and tombstones.

Kyteler’s Inn

Stopping for lunch in Kyteler’s Inn, one of Kilkenny’s oldest pubs and once home to Dame Alice Kyteler, the first person in Ireland to be accused of witchcraft in the 14th century. We’ll have the choice of traditional Irish dishes such as Irish stew, fish and chips, and ploughman’s lunch. 

Rothe House

After lunch, we’ll head to Rothe House, a unique 17th-century merchant’s townhouse with well-preserved rooms where we’ll learn about the Rothe family and their involvement in Kilkenny’s history. Its beautifully restored Tudor-style garden is filled with plants and herbs typical of the period.  

Smithwick’s Experience

Capping off the day we’ll take in a guided tour of the Smithwick’s Experience, the ale has been brewed in Kilkenny since 1710. After learning about the brewing process and the history of Smithwick’s, the experience will finish with a pint in the tasting room.  

BEST BITS

Tour Highlights

Kilkenny Castle
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Medieval Mile Museum
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Smithwick’s Experience
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EXPERIENCE

Forget everything you’ve read about Ireland and come experience it for yourself. Dip your toes in the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, visit the locations of your favourite movie and find out how a hurley is made – Experiencing Ireland is waiting to make it all happen.  

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DISCOVER

Good to Know

  • Be prepared for all weather (this is Ireland!) so bring good walking shoes and a raincoat.
  • The cost of the tour does not cover the cost of lunch and admission fees to attractions.
  • This tour needs to be booked 30 days in advance.

MEMORIES

Gallery

Castle and city tours pic
Castle and city tours pic
Castle and city tours pic
Castle and city tours pic
Castle and city tours pic

What people are
saying about their personalised tours

  • On our recent visit to Ireland we found many Irish surprises and treasures. None were more valuable to the success of our trip than Trudy and her team. Before our trip I was skeptical of the need for a guide. Before we were even out of the airport it was already obvious we were in for a great time with Trudy. Over the course of the next 6 days we were treated like family. We were taken to so many beautiful, exciting and fun places that we would never have heard of or found without the local knowledge and contacts that Trudy has. I am no longer skeptical…We arrived and met our guide, but left Ireland with a new friend. I wish there were more that 5 stars to leave. I cannot recommend Trudy and her team enough.

    Mike M

    – May, 2024

  • We had an amazing time with our tour guide, Trudy. She made our trip an experience of a lifetime. We shared with her a few places we wanted to see in Ireland, and she made it all happen, and then some. Fairy trees, Corkscrew Road, the Burren, Matchmaker Hotel, Tabletop Mountain, Ashford Castle and the Abbey in Cong filled our trip with so much more than we imagined. Trudy was so knowledgeable and entertaining. We felt like she was part of our family. We laughed together, shared stories, and travelled the countryside in style. She made sure we had a wonderful time. Every aspect of our trip was personalized. We highly recommend travelling with Trudy for anyone who wants to experience the best of Ireland with a friendly and professional guide. We all enjoyed our time together and we are very grateful for her guidance, expertise and of course the laughter.

    Maureen B

    – May, 2024

  • My family just returned from a wonderful trip of 8 days with Trudy in October, 2023. ​Trudy tailored​ / customized the trip perfectly so that we enjoyed the things we set out to experience, and also to delight in surprise places and activities that she wanted to show us. Our family of eight rode with Trudy in her 9-passenger van, which she ​safely and expertly drove on the narrow ​and tricky lanes of the Irish countryside. Trudy has a great sense of humor and ability to impart her deep knowledge of Irish history and culture. She’s a joy to spend time with. It would take too long to do justice to all the ways that Trudy goes above and beyond.

    Chip A

    – October, 2023

  • IOur family group of eight booked a trip with Experiencing Ireland, hoping for a small, personalized tour in which we would visit our family roots in Offaly, and venture west to Galway and Connemara, the Dingle Peninsula and Kerry/Killarney. Not only did we see amazing scenery along the way, but Trudy had suggested some wonderful experiences, including a sheepdog demonstration in Connemara, the Wild Birds of Prey and Ailwee Caves, the beehive huts and baby lambs of Dingle and many, many more. We visited pubs and restaurants and national parks. It was an absolutely delightful experience! Trudy is also a seasoned genealogist and had traced our family to a particular area, where we met cousins and saw what had once been our family homestead. Highly recommend!

    Barbara A

    – October, 2023

  • Trudy organized a fabulous private 4-day tour to Northern Ireland., including various sections of Belfast, Braavos Canal (Game of thrones filming), Ballymena, Cushendun caves, Kinbane castle and lovely lunch in Ballycastle, Dunseverick Castle. Then spent a beautiful day touring Derry (Londonderry) walked the Strand and toured the “Derry Walls” and City Centre. Then off to Dobegal. Such an amazing adventure and we had so much fun while gaining such great information about each area and its story. The accommodations she secured were fabulous and the cost was very reasonable, we got so much more than we paid for. Would absolutely use Trudy again (and I have!). Thank you Trudy.

    Seaside592324

    – August, 2023

  • I and four others, just finished a 7 day Wild Atlantic Way tour with Trudy and it went beyond our expectations. Along with what she planned based on what we wanted to see, each day had a surprise she had planned. By the end of the trip she was one of us. For me there is no other way to really see Ireland, than with Trudy!

    Karen G

    – May, 2023

EXPERIENCE

Forget everything you’ve read about Ireland and come experience it for yourself. Dip your toes in the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, visit the locations of your favourite movie and find out how a hurley is made – Experiencing Ireland is waiting to make it all happen.  

BOOK NOW
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