Kilkenny's Medieval Mile and Beyond, by Minibus
Kilkenny is small enough to stroll round and lively enough to fill a weekend. We arrange a minibus with a driver to bring your group down from the airport, then take you out to the abbeys and caves once you've seen the city.
Castle to cathedral on foot
The Medieval Mile runs from Kilkenny Castle at one end to St Canice's Cathedral and its round tower at the other. Along the way you'll pass the Medieval Mile Museum in St Mary's Church and the Smithwick's brewing-history tour on Parliament Street. Most groups walk it one way and meet the driver at the far end.
For the castle, coaches park on the east side of Castle Road, with overflow at Larchfield when it's busy and more space at the Abbey Quarter.
Short hops out of the city
Dunmore Cave is only about 15 minutes away, and Jerpoint Abbey about 20. Both are ideal for a morning that leaves the afternoon free for shopping at the Design Centre.
The Rock of Cashel and Waterford are each about 50 minutes, and Glendalough about an hour and three quarters, which works best on a day heading back towards Dublin.
Airports serving Kilkenny
Places groups love in Kilkenny
- Kilkenny Design Centre — Crafts in the castle's former stables
- Rothe House and Garden — Merchant house museum
- Smithwick's Experience Kilkenny — Brewing-history tour, Parliament Street
- Medieval Mile Museum — In St Mary's Church, High Street
- St Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower — North end of the Medieval Mile
- Kilkenny Castle — Castle and parkland at the top of the Medieval Mile
Where groups usually stay
- Outskirts country-house hotels
- John Street / MacDonagh Station
- City centre / Medieval Mile
Arriving, and big match days
The drive from Dublin Airport covers about 130 km, an hour and a half on the M9. Many visitors stay near John Street and MacDonagh Station, handy for a quick morning pick-up.
Kilkenny's hurlers play at UPMC Nowlan Park, with room for about 27,000. On a championship day the city fills up fast, so settle your meeting point for the trip home before the throw-in.
Weddings at country-house hotels
Several country-house hotels sit outside the city, and a 16 to 19 seat minibus is a comfortable way to shuttle guests between the church, the reception and town. For bigger guest lists, a midi coach of 29 to 35 seats means fewer runs.
Questions
Where does the vehicle park for Kilkenny Castle?
On the east side of Castle Road, which leads up to the castle. Larchfield takes the overflow at peak times.
How long is the trip from Dublin Airport?
About an hour and a half, roughly 130 km on the M9.
Can we visit Jerpoint Abbey and Dunmore Cave in one morning?
Yes. Dunmore Cave is about 15 minutes out and Jerpoint about 20, so both fit before lunch.
Is the Rock of Cashel within reach?
Yes, it is about 55 km, around 50 minutes by road.
Other trips we arrange
- Getting your colleagues there and home again
- A school tour parents can relax about
- Travelling to the match as one team
- Getting everyone to the wedding, and home after the party
- Golf trips without the driving
- Your own day out, at your own pace
- Travelling together on pilgrimage
- Travel where everyone in the group comes along
Vehicles
- Full-size coach — 49-81 seats
- Midi coach — 29-35 seats
- Minibus — 16-19 seats
- Executive van (Mercedes V-Class and similar) — 6-7 seats
- Executive car (E-Class saloon class) — 1-3 seats
- Wheelchair-accessible minibus — 10-16 plus wheelchair spaces