Kilkenny Castle

The castle was built in the 1190s. It was occupied by the powerful Butler family until 1935. The descendants donated it to the state because of the exorbitant running costs. The castle was closed because of power failure. What a shame.

Kilkenny 2

We parked our car here and walked to the castle.

The Left Bank

Breakfast at the hotel

We will be flying home tomorrow.  Our plan today is to visit the Kilkenny Castle and drive back to Dublin. We will stop at Glendalough along the way.

Full Irish

Grain & Grill Bar & Restaurant

We had our dinner at the hotel.

Our last Guinness in Ireland

Definitely will miss the Guinness!

Slow Cooked Feather Blade of Beef

Fish & Chips

Lidl

We drove Lidl to buy chocolates and biscuits to take home.

We were on TV

Kyteler's Inn

This medieval coaching inn is named after Alice Kyteler, a 14th century witch who once lived in this building. We found this restaurant online.

Irish traditional music

We both had Fish & Chips

Apple Crumble

Irish dance

Vienna Calling

We will be flying to Vienna on 18th March 2026. Luckily, we will fly with Turkish Airlines.We will transit in Istanbul. Otherwise, we would have to transit in Dubai. Dubai International Airport was struck and is closed now. I hope the war in the Middle East will end soon. Not sure if we will be affected also.

Smithwick Experience

John Smithwick started a brewery making ale in Kilkenny in 1710. It has been more than 300 years before the brewery was closed and moved to Dublin in 2013. Its ale is more popularly known as Kilkenny around the world.

 

Lease granted to Smithwick's partner Richard Cole 

(because Catholics were not allowed to own land)

Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale

Smithwick's ale

St Canice's Cathedral

The present building dates back to 1202-1285 and has long been associated with the town. The name Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) literally means “Church of Canice”. The medieval effigy tombs here are some of the finest surviving medieval funerary monuments in Ireland. 

The tower is the oldest building in Kilkenny dating back to 1111

We did not fancy climbing to the top of the tower

Tomb slab

Effigy tomb of James Schorthals (died 1534)

A life size figure of the dead person lying on top the tomb

The six figures at the bottom are known as tomb weepers

Sir John Grace (died 1552)

Bishop de Ledrede

He brought Alice Kyteler to trial for witchcraft

Piers Butler (died 1539) and wife

Effigy tombs of husband and wife are very common

The wife wearing a two-horned head dress

James Butler (died 1546)

John Grace and Honorina Brenach

John Butler (died 1854)

It was made 300 years later than the rest and certainly more intricate

Richard Butler died 1571

Elicia Butler dressed as a nun

Honorina Grace (died 1596)

A new stone seat to commemorate an anniversary of St Canice