Kilkenny Castles

Kells Priory

Kells Priory is one of the largest and most impressive medieval monuments in Ireland. The Augustine priory is situated alongside King's River beside the village of Kells, about 15 km south of the medieval city of Kilkenny. The priory is a National Monument and is in the guardianship of the Office of Public Works. One of its most striking feature is a collection of medieval tower houses spaced at intervals along and within walls which enclose a site of just over 3 acres (12,000 m2). These give the priory the appearance more of a fortress than of a place of worship and from them comes its local name of "Seven Castles".

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle the home and headquarters of the powerful Butler Family since 1391. The castle grounds have a long established rose garden, together with 50 acres of charming grounds and parklands. Kilkenny Castle grounds overlook the Nore river and features mature trees and shrubs with an ornamental lake numbered among the many items of interest.

Rothe House

Rothe House Kilkenny a historic house in Kilkenny in the South East of Ireland, is a unique example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland. Rothe House and Garden are owned by the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, and managed by Rothe House Trust Limited. The House is open to the public as a Museum, displaying some of the 2,500 artefacts collected by the Society since its founding in 1947. These artefacts all relate to life in Kilkenny city and county throughout the ages and some date from pre-historic times.

Saint Canices Cathedral

Saint Canices Cathedral and Round Tower are an essential part of the structural heritage in the vibrant medieval city of Kilkenny. This ecclesiastical site was founded in the 6th century and named after St Canice. Cill Channigh is the Gaelic for the Church of Canice, the church that originally stood on the site in the 6th century.Worship has taken place at this site for over 800 years. The Round Tower is the oldest standing structure in Kilkenny City. Tourists can enjoy climbing the Round Tower capturing great views of the city (weather permitting). St Canice’s Round Tower is one of only two Round Towers that people can climb in Ireland.

Shankill Castle & Gardens

Shankill Castle & Gardens started as a Bulter tower-house near the ruins of an old church. In 1708 it was rebuilt and set in a formal landscape. In the garden there are remnants of 18th century lime alles, 19th century laurel lawns, some Victorian favourites such as the now gigantic Sequoias and 20th century, self-sown ash trees. The moated garden, once a rose garden then forgotten and planted with Sitka spruces is now a spring garden, and the graveyard blooms all year round. The walled garden has a charming apple arch under-planted with red tulips; and some antique goblet-shaped pear trees trained against a mellow brick wall. Since 1991 Shankill Castle is home and studio to the artist Elizabeth Cope, whose paintings are on display.