The perfect introduction to Kilkenny walking tour
Description
See more than 20 of the most famous local sights. Most visitors leave Kilkenny having seen the buildings but never really understanding the city. This tour changes that. In a relaxed small group (max 15), explore Kilkenny with a guide born and raised here. Starting near Kilkenny Castle, you’ll walk through the Medieval Mile to places like St. Canice’s Cathedral while hearing the stories that shaped the city — invasions, merchants, crime, politics, and everyday life. This is designed to feel conversational rather than scripted. Guests regularly describe the tour as a “great start to our trip” and say it helped the rest of Kilkenny make far more sense afterward. There’s plenty of time for questions, local recommendations, and the kind of insights most visitors would never find on their own. Small groups only (max 15) Local guide born and raised in Kilkenny Story-focused, relaxed experience Starts near Kilkenny Castle Advance booking recommended, especially on weekends.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Poor house.
Church of St. John the evangilist.
Home of the Butler family.
The city's library.
Cathedral and round tour.
Dominican Abbey.
Catholic cathedral.
The town hall.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for anyone who cannot cover 5km or 3 miles.
Reviews(308)
This tour gave us a deeper understanding of Kilkenny’s history, and the stained glass windows at the Black Abbey were amazing.
John was knowledgeable and a great laugh
So nice, very interesting, funny guy. John‘s knowledge about irish history and the history of Kilkenny is tremendous. We enjoyed it very much.
Lots of great history shared. John was fun with a dry sense of humor. Beautiful town with so much to offer
Hi Dan, Thank you very much for the lovely review! I’m delighted you enjoyed both the history and my slightly dry sense of humour! Kilkenny certainly has plenty of stories to tell. It was a pleasure showing you around, and I hope you enjoyed the rest of your visit. Kind regards John
Really professional and patient guide. Very enjoyable experience. Would highly recommend.
Hi Emer, Thank you very much for the lovely review and recommendation! I’m delighted you enjoyed the tour. It was a pleasure showing you around Kilkenny, and I really appreciate you taking the time to leave such kind feedback. Kind regards John
This a fabulous fun tour! Kilkenny is a beautiful medieval city made all the more interesting on our guided tour. John has a wealth of information and a great sense of humour. Highly recommend.
Hi Michelle, Thank you so much for the wonderful review and recommendation! I’m delighted you had such a fun time on the tour. Kilkenny has no shortage of stories to tell, and I always enjoy mixing the history with a little humour along the way. It was a pleasure showing you around, and I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Ireland! Kind regards John
This is an interesting & informative tour that showcases all the main points of interest in Kilkenny. John the Tour Guide is knowledgeable and amusing. Would recommend.
Hi Sarah, Thank you very much for the lovely review and recommendation! I’m delighted you enjoyed the tour and found it both interesting and entertaining. It was a pleasure showing you around Kilkenny, and I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in the city! Kind regards John
John gave us a good tour of Kilkenny and its extensive history, including kilkenny castle, the church (we even climbed the round tour), the black abbey, Carnegie library (he built over 80 libraries in Ireland), the river, old city walls, witch trial in Kilkenny, Oliver Cromwell, hurling, restaurant recommendations, and much more. He knows his stuff! Good overview of Kilkenny to get your bearings to this lovely city.
Hi Julie, Thank you very much for the detailed review! I’m delighted you enjoyed the tour and found it a useful way to get your bearings in Kilkenny. There’s a lot of history packed into a small city, so it’s always a pleasure to share some of the stories behind the places we pass, as well as a few recommendations for the rest of your visit. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Kilkenny and Ireland! Kind regards John
We enjoyed our time in Kilkenny. John was a knowledgeable guide, highlighting the noteworthy without overwhelming us with information. It was a memorable walk.
Hi Annell, Thank you very much for the lovely review. I’m delighted you enjoyed the walk and found the balance of information just right. There’s a lot of history to tell in Kilkenny, so I always try to bring out the most interesting stories without overwhelming people with too many facts and dates. I’m very glad it made for a memorable visit! Kind regards John
My husband and I did this tour with John Britton in early July and were really happy with it! John shared lots of information and was a great tour guide. We went to places that we would have never known about or visited on our own. Highly recommend. It was a highlight of out trip to Kilkenny!
Hi Ellie, Thank you so much for the lovely review. I’m delighted you both enjoyed the tour and that I was able to show you a few places you might not have discovered on your own. It’s especially nice to hear that the tour was one of the highlights of your time in Kilkenny. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip to Ireland! Kind regards John
