Walking Tours of Kilkenny with John Comerford
Description
Discover Kilkenny’s rich history, stunning architecture, and hidden gems on a relaxed, flexible walking tour with John – your knowledgeable, qualified guide. Whether you're a history enthusiast or just looking for a memorable stroll, your tours offer something for everyone. Born and raised in Gowran in the heart of County Kilkenny, John has spent years immersing himself in Kilkenny’s unique history and culture. John has always been passionate about storytelling and sharing the hidden tales and well-known landmarks that make Kilkenny truly special. John is happy to offer private or custom tours for groups, families, or individuals. Contact John to find out more!
Tour Options
Itinerary
St. Canice's Cathedral, a striking example of 13th-century Gothic architecture, is one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval churches. On a quick visit, you’ll be struck by its grand stone structure, beautiful stained glass windows, and the peaceful atmosphere.
On a 15-minute visit to the Black Abbey, you'll experience a remarkable blend of medieval architecture and spiritual ambiance. Founded in 1225 by the Dominican Order, this historic church is renowned for its Gothic design and rich history. Hear about the Rosary Window and Marvel at the magnificence of Ireland's largest stained glass window.
Rothe House is a late 16th-century merchant's townhouse complex located in the city of Kilkenny, Ireland. The complex was built by John Rothe Fitz-Piers between 1594 and 1610 and is made up of three houses and as a museum it is also accessible to the public.
Explore the history of Ireland's oldest ale, the rich heritage of Smithwick's brewing process and the Smithwick family's role in its evolution in Kilkenny.
Located on the 13th century site of St Mary's cruciform church and graveyard. Hear about the history of the church and its new lease of life.
Kilkenny Castle is a castle in Kilkenny, Ireland, built in 1260 to control a fording-point of the River Nore and the junction of several routeways. john will tell you about the history of the building and grounds.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(54)
John was a great local guide. Great local history and insight. Booked the day before and we were lucky to be the only two on the walk. (Many operators may have cancelled) Great way to see and understand local history. Would recommend to anyone, avoid just walking alone with no history behind.
I’m delighted you and Stacey enjoyed the walk and the chance to explore Kilkenny with a local perspective. It was a real pleasure having the two of you on tour, and I’m glad the timing worked out so you could enjoy a more personal experience. Sharing the stories, history, and hidden corners of the city is always a joy, and it means a lot to hear you found it worthwhile. Kilkenny really comes alive when you know the people and the past behind the streets.
John was fantastic, thorough and informative. Highly recommend him to anyone who comes to Kilkenny or the environs.
Thank you so much Thomas for your kind words. I’m delighted you enjoyed the tour and found it thorough and informative. Kilkenny and its surroundings have so many great stories, and it’s always a pleasure to share them with visitors. I really appreciate the recommendation and hope our paths cross again someday.
John was so knowledgeable on our tour. He knew his stuff and explained it really well... John also chatted to us between sights and the more we asked, the more information he had... Great tour
Thank you so much for joining me on the tour and for sharing such kind feedback. I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the evening and found the stories and history engaging. It was a pleasure chatting with you between stops — your questions added great energy, and I’m glad I could help bring Kilkenny’s past to life.
Authentic. Insightful. Respectful. Great job of filling in details about the city and it's history..
Thanks Russel for taking time to write a review. It’s always a pleasure to share Kilkenny’s history in a way that feels respectful and true to the city’s character, and I’m glad the extra details and stories added to your experience.
An informative & amusing tour taking in all the main sights in Kilkenny. Our guide, John was friendly & knowledgeable. Would recommend.
Thank you for taking time to write a review, I am delighted your enjoyed the tour
Our walking tour of Kilkenny with John was a treat! John shared interesting history and wonderful details which made the rest of our visit to Kilkenny all the more enjoyable. He's a local treasure!
Thank you Denise for taking the time to write a review. I am delighted that I made your visit to Kilkenny more enjoyable
Absolutely great guy, loads of good anecdotes and really easy to deal with. Walked at a nice pace and lots of interesting stops.
Thank you for Taking time out to write a review. It was a pleasure to guide you through the medieval streets of Kilkenny. I am glad you enjoyed the tour
What an excellent tour of Kilkenny!! John was a wonderful tour guide full of stories around every corner of the city. He starts his tours at the foot of St Canace’s because as he explains, St Canace is really how Kilkenny got its start. He took us through lanes and byways we never would have found on our own and gave us a terrific understanding of this amazing city. We love history and this was truly an amazing tour including St Canace’s, Black Abbey (gorgeous inside), the history of the breweries, Rothe House, Kyteler’s, Butter Slip, and so much more. Our tour ended after a stroll through the beautiful grounds of Kilkenny Castle, the stables, and Butler House and Gardens. John was clearly known and loved about town as demonstrated by the smiling faces who greeted him at our stops and along the way. A great tour guide and a wonderful tour filled with history and beauty in this amazing town. We highly recommend John for your tour if you are lucky enough to book with him!
Thank you Dawn for taking the time to write a review. It was a pleasure walking with you and Ronald through the streets of Kilkenny. A walk that gave me great satisfaction
John is extremely friendly and very knowledgeable! I had an amazing time on the tour, and I learned a lot about Kilkenny history. Highly recommend!
Thanks Navya for taking the time to write a review. I am very happy you enjoyed the tour
John was great.He is a Kilkenny local and knew the history in detail.He showed us lots that we would not have come across ourselves .His tour made our time in Kilkenny really enjoyable.He also had recommendations for restaurants,bars and music which were really helpful.
Thank you for your kind review. I am delighted that I made your stay in Kilkenny more enjoyable. It was a delight to show you around Kilkenny
