Here’s why Kilkenny is the perfect location for a no-fuss getaway that will beat the January blues

Why not take January, and its proviso of fresh starts and new adventures, as the perfect opportunity to visit one of Ireland’s most charming destinations?

County Kilkenny has long been a favourite staycation destination for Irish Tatler; from traversing its medieval cobblestone streets to exploring its art galleries and cultural exhibits, its blend of historical and modern attractions makes it the jewel in Ireland’s Ancient East’s crown.

And given January’s off-peak nature, holidaying becomes instantly more trouble-free and accessible – a win-win in the eyes of any traveller. To make matters even easier, we’ve rounded up the 10 must-visit attractions in Kilkenny that will take the guesswork out of planning your itinerary.

Kilkenny Castle

Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Kilkenny Castle. Founded in the 12th century soon after the Norman conquest in Ireland, the castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years.

Located right in the city centre, the castle now welcomes visitors with 50 acres of rolling parklands to explore; tours of its period rooms, chambers and art collections; and a distinctive blend of Gothic and Victorian design.

Other features include a formal terraced rose garden, woodlands, a tearoom, playground, and several orienteering trails. From self-guided tickets priced at €8 for adults to guided tours for €12, this budget-friendly destination offers a portal to explore Ireland’s medieval past. kilkennycastle.ie

Rothe House and Garden

Once you’ve finished wandering the grounds of Kilkenny Castle, consider nipping over to Rothe House and Garden, just a five-minute walk away.

Built between 1594 and 1610, Rothe House and Garden was the home of the renowned merchant, landowner and Mayor of Kilkenny city, John Rothe Fitz Piers, his wife Rose Archer, and their eleven children.

Today, you can explore the interiors, period paintings, costumes, furniture and antiquaries in the house, alongside wandering its enclosed courtyards and picturesque gardens which authentically recreate its 17th-century appearance to include the flowers, fruits, and herbs John Rothe and his family once enjoyed on the grounds.

With self-guided tickets priced at €8.50 for adults and guided tours for €10, it’s the perfect way to get some downtime away from the city’s buzz. rothehouse.com

The Famine Experience

Another poignant historical landmark in Kilkenny city is the Famine Experience. This free, self-led audiovisual tour will guide you around the buildings of what was once the fifth workhouse in Ireland.

The immersive exhibition offers a sobering insight into the human cost of the 19th-century famine, where you will learn about the discovery of over 970 human remains described as the most significant discovery in the history of the Irish famine.

With tours starting from the customer service desk in the MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre (in the city centre) and lasting 50 minutes, it’s a crucial exploration of Ireland’s past. kilkennyfamineexperience.com

Dunmore Cave

A 15-minute spin from Kilkenny city, Dunmore Cave is a series of underground limestone chambers formed over millions of years. In fact, it contains some of the most impressive calcite formations (like stalactites and stalagmites) found in any Irish underground structure.

Containing 300 metres of known passages and caverns, the cave draws interest not only for its remarkable geology, but for its dark history too. An age-old story connected to Dunmore Cave is believed to highlight the deadly rivalry between conflicting Viking powers after a massacre in AD 928 killed 1,000 people.

Now a show cave with guided tours (from €5 for adults), don’t pass up this opportunity to go deep into the earth and explore what has been described as ‘the darkest place in Ireland’. heritageireland.ie

St Canice’s Cathedral

Another conveniently located landmark in the heart of Kilkenny city is St Canice’s Cathedral. A notable site of Christian worship since the sixth century, the cathedral welcomes those interested in religious history, architectural splendour and cultural exploration.

A unique feature of the cathedral is its tower climb offering, where visitors can climb to the top of its round tower – as one of only two towers in the country that people may climb, the other is in Kildare town – and take in panoramic views of the city from 100 feet high.

With all-day self-guided tickets priced at €6 for adults to €10 for the inclusion of a tower climb, this compelling medieval destination is one you will marvel at. stcanicescathedral.ie

Medieval Mile Museum

Kilkenny’s medieval mile runs through the centre of the city from St Canice’s Cathedral to the castle, featuring many historical sites along the way like the 13-century St Mary’s cruciform church, which is now home to the Medieval Mile Museum.

A treasure trove of artefacts like stone carvings, funerary monuments, glass windows and civic records spanning 800 years of history, you can explore the museum with a tour guide lasting one hour (€12 for an adult ticket) or explore at your own pace with an interactive audio guide (priced at €9).

Or, take to the cobblestone streets for a guided tour of the medieval mile, where expert storytellers will reveal the stories of the walled city; from tales of witchcraft at the Kyteler’s Inn to the architecture of Rothe House and the histories uncovered at the museum graveyard, it’s the perfect crash course in medieval Irish history. medievalmilemuseum.ie

Coal Mining Museum

Delve into Kilkenny's industrial legacy at the Coal Mining Museum and Exhibition. Through a 45-minute tour exhibiting an interactive multimedia display, the tour brings visitors through more than 300 years of history to the coal mine’s closure in 1969.

From coalfield developments of the 19th century to survival protocols for miners to courageous miners and their stories, the one-hour tour (priced at €5 for adults) is a fascinating deep-dive into Ireland’s coal mining past.

Located in Castlecomer Discovery Park (a 20-minute spin from the city) you can also choose to explore the woodlands and walking and biking trails of the Discover Park alongside the zipline, climbing walls and rafting activities for those brave enough. discoverypark.ie

Butler Gallery

Featuring an eclectic mix of modern and contemporary art collected from the 1800s to present, the Butler Gallery houses rarely-seen works by artists like Paul Henry, Louis le Brocquy, Mainie Jellett, Patrick Scott, and Evie Hone.

Embracing a variety of disciplines from painting, drawing and printmaking, to sculpture, photography and video, the gallery’s blend of a permanent collection of 19th and 20th century Irish art and contemporary international works makes it one of the finest exhibition spaces in Ireland.

Free to visit, and located just a short walk from the Medieval Mile Museum in the city, its exciting roster of ongoing and rotating exhibitions makes it a great way to wile away a few hours. butlergallery.ie

Smithwick's Experience

Uncover the storied history behind the 18th-century Irish ale at the Smithwick's Experience, located just across from Rothe House and Garden on Parliament Street.

Brewed in Ireland since 1710 thanks to brewer John Smithwick, discover how he built a thriving business despite strict penal laws, and how nine generations later, Smithwicks stands as Ireland’s most popular ale.

The immersive tour allows visitors to engage in the brewing process from malt to pour and enjoy a complimentary pint at the end (from €18 per person). Or, you can master the ale experience which includes a brewing and pouring masterclass (from €50 per person). smithwicksexperience.com

Plan your visit to Kilkenny in Ireland’s Ancient East at visitkilkenny.ie. History comes alive here.