Discover Kilkenny Ireland in 2 Hours: Top Sights and Stories from Ireland’s Medieval Gem

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes | August 2, 2024

Kilkenny Castle

Returning to Ireland always feels like coming home, but this time, our trip had a new twist—exploring Kilkenny, a city rich in history and character. With my best friend from childhood, Karen, her husband, Dale, and her father, Bob, we joined Liam Ryan from Wild Rover Tours for a whirlwind two-hour visit that left us yearning for more. Liam, a retired air traffic controller with a penchant for storytelling, proved to be the perfect guide, weaving humor and history into an unforgettable experience.

This tour included both Kilkenny and Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains. You could spend a month at either place, so you recognize this as an amuse bouche … the opportunity to see a little of several things so you know where to return when you have a free day… an amusing and tantalizing taste, if you will.

As we enter the city, we’re reminded of the Irish passion for sport. Sport holds a special place in Kilkenny, a city renowned for its passionate embrace of Gaelic games, particularly hurling. The local team, famously known as the “Black and Amber” or “Cats,” is celebrated for its distinctive colors and formidable presence in the sport. Hurling, one of Ireland’s oldest and fastest field sports, is not just a game in Kilkenny; it’s a cultural cornerstone that unites the community and instills a deep sense of pride. The team’s numerous All-Ireland victories have cemented Kilkenny’s reputation as a hurling powerhouse, making the black and amber stripes a symbol of excellence and tradition in Irish sport.

Hurling Legends: The Wall of Irish Sport

Central to this sporting culture is Nowlan Park, the county’s main stadium and a hallowed ground for hurling fans. Named after James Nowlan, a former president of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 24,000, about the same number as the population of Kilkenny, making it one of the largest in the region. The stadium’s electrifying atmosphere during matches, with passionate supporters clad in black and amber, epitomizes the deep-rooted love for hurling in the county. This fervor for sport in Kilkenny extends beyond mere entertainment; it fosters community spirit, nurtures local talent, and perpetuates a proud heritage that resonates both locally and nationally.

Nowlan Park not only hosts crucial hurling matches but also serves as a venue for concerts and other community events, playing a vital role in the social and cultural life of Kilkenny. When Bruce Springsteen visited recently, he received a roar of approval as he sang “’Cause Cats Like Us, Baby, We Were Born To Run!”

Kilkenny Design & Café

We started at the wonderful Kilkenny Design & Café (same company in Dublin), for shopping and free toilets, took the opportunity to get photographs of the castle from across the river, and grabbed a quick bite at a charming patisserie, savoring delicious sandwiches and salads by the Medieval Mile Museum.

Walking down cobblestone streets, we’d divert from our Google map instructions to follow the sound of the local buskers, from traditional Irish music to the Beatles, you can find your choice in music. Be sure to have coins with you to tip these hard working musicians.