Things to Do in Kilkenny, Tipperary, Laois & Louth

Kilkenny

The Medieval Mile

Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile is a trail that links Kilkenny Castle to

St. Canice’s Cathedral. This stretch is filled with shops, pubs, restaurants, picturesque alleyways and tonnes of history. It’s fun to do on your own, but if you are a history fanatic or just a story love, consider taking a guided walking tour.

St Canice’s Cathedral

Located at the opposite side of the Medieval Mile from Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral is one of the most popular things to do in Kilkenny. This historic building is beautiful and impressive, with two of its biggest highlights being the colourful stained-glass windows and the Round Tower.

The Black Abbey

Kilkenny’s Black Abbey dates back to 1225. Throughout the tumultuous years it has faced many changes and, of course, the wear of time. However, it has been restored to its original grandeur complete with ornate stained-glass windows, the most impressive of which is the Rosary Window.

Tipperary

The Lough Derg Blueway

Imagine the scene - 13,000 hectares of clear water surrounded by beautiful and dramatic countryside in three Irish counties (Clare, Tipperary, and Galway), and traversed by a series of trails, on the water and on land, that provide the opportunity for exhilarating activities and wonderful adventures.

Cahir Castle

Cahir’s awesome castle enjoys a river-island site with moat, massive walls, turrets and keep, mullioned windows, vast fireplaces and dungeons. Founded by Conor O’Brien in 1142, and passed to the Butler family in 1375, it’s one of Ireland’s largest castles.

The Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most spectacular historic sites: a prominent green hill, banded with limestone outcrops, rising from a grassy plain and bristling with ancient fortifications. It’s a five-minute stroll from the town centre up to the Rock, from where fantastic views range over the Tipperary countryside.

The Swiss Cottage

A 30-minute walk along a riverside path from Cahir Castle car park leads to this thatched cottage, surrounded by roses, lavender and honeysuckle. A lavish example of Regency Picturesque, the cottage was built in 1810 as a retreat for Richard Butler, 12th Baron Caher, and his wife, and was designed by London architect John Nash, creator of the Royal Pavilion at Brighton.

Louth

Monasterboice

Crowing ravens lend an eerie atmosphere to Monasterboice, an intriguing monastic site down a leafy lane in sweeping farmland, which contains a cemetery, two ancient church ruins, one of the finest and tallest round towers in Ireland plus two of the most important high crosses.

Come early or late in the day to avoid the crowds. It’s just off the M1 motorway, about 8km north of Drogheda.

Old Mellifont Abbey

In its Anglo-Norman prime, this abbey, 1.5km off the main Drogheda - Collon road (R168), was the Cistercians’ first and most magnificent centre in Ireland. Highly evocative and well worth exploring, the ruins still reflect the site’s former splendour. Mellifont’s most recognisable building and one of the country’s finest examples of Cistercian architecture is the 13th-century lavabo, the monks’ octagonal washing room.

Glyde Inn

Dating from 1770, this wonderful family-run pub and restaurant anchors Annagassan life. It has its own beer, Linn Duachaill (named for a local Viking settlement currently being excavated), which is also the name of its excellent restaurant which overlooks the beer garden, Dundalk Bay’s tidal shallows and Mourne Mountains beyond.

Sonairte

At this inspiring, not-for-profit ecology centre, 10km southeast of Drogheda in Laytown, on an 18th-century former farm, you can wander through a walled organic garden, visit a beekeeping museum and take a biodiverse nature trail and river walk that incorporates wetlands, woodlands and grasslands. Recharge at its organic cafe or browse its home and garden shops.

Laois

Gash Gardens

Created as a result of the passions of owners Mary Keenan and Ross Doyle, Gash Gardens are situated in Castletown, Portlaoise on the banks of the River Nore. Here you’ll find a large rock garden with rare alpines, a heath garden, and a host of colourful flowers. Bask in the birdsong and visit the moon house and relaxing water features.

Emo Court

Designed by architect James Gandon in 1790, Emo Court is a terrific example of neo-classical style. Restored in the 1960s, the house has a long and colourful history and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland including formal lawns, a lake and woodland walks. In 1994 the estate was taken over by the Office of Public Works.