Page 84 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

82 BACK ROADS IRELAND

Above Kilkenny Castle, an impressive Norman
fortress Above centre The choir of St Canice’s 1 Kilkenny City
Cathedral, Kilkenny Above right St John’s Co Kilkenny
Bridge and the River Nore Ireland’s only inland city, Kilkenny is also one of its finest. It brims
with medieval treasures and has narrow alleyways, gaily coloured
VISITING KILKENNY CITY shop fronts and a vibrant atmosphere. Set on the west bank of the
River Nore, the historic centre is book-ended by its two main
Parking landmarks, St Canice’s Cathedral and Kilkenny Castle.
Park in Market Yard off Bateman’s Quay,
or in one of the central car parks on A two-hour walking tour church dedicated to St Canice – Cill
Ormonde Street or James Street. From Market Yard car park 1 follow Chainnigh (Church of Canice), from
Tourist Information the walkway onto St Kieran’s Street which Kilkenny derives its name. Inside,
Rose Inn St; 056 775 1500; www.discover and then Parliament Street. On the look out for the 16th-century carved
ireland.ie; open Mon–Sat year-round. right, in the yard of the Smithwicks effigies of Kilkenny’s powerful Butler
Shopping Experience 2, which offers tours of family (see box), a model of the town in
Kilkenny Design Centre stocks a the Kilkenny Brewery (daily), are the its Elizabethan heyday and the
superb range of high-quality crafts. ruins of 13th-century St Francis’ 13th-century east window. Climb the
The Crafts Council of Ireland is in the
same complex. Abbey (closed to public). Leaving the cathedral’s round tower (847) for far-
Castle Yard, The Parade; 056 772 2118; yard, turn right onto Irish Town. reaching views.
www.kilkennydesign.com; open daily Ahead is St Canice’s Cathedral (open Leaving the cathedral, turn right
daily) 3, a 13th-century Protestant down Dean Street. After 200 m (656 ft),
cathedral in the Early English Gothic cross the road and turn left, following
style; it sits on the site of a pre-Norman signs for Black Abbey (open daily) 4, a
WHERE TO STAY IN
KILKENNY CITY
St Canice’s
Laragh House inexpensive Cathedral V I C A R S T 0 metres 500
Modern, family-run guesthouse within
walking distance of the city centre. Smithwicks 0 yards 500
Waterford Rd; 056 779 6691; Experience
www.laraghhouse.com D E A N S T R E E T IRISH TOWN
Butler House moderate S T J O H N ’ S Q U A Y Kilkenny
Station
Comfortable Georgian townhouse that
M I C H A E L S T R E E T
is part of the castle estate. Breakfast is Black A B B E Y S T R E E T
served at the Kilkenny Design Centre. Abbey House PARLIAMENT ST Car Park J O H N S T R E E T D U B L I N R O A D
Rothe
16 Patrick St; 056 7722 828; Kyteler’s Inn
www.butler.ie B L ACKM I L L S T B AT EMAN’S Q UAY M AU D L I N S T R E E T
Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel moderate J A M E S ’ S S T R E E T Tholsel ST KIERAN’S ST
Housed in a former bank. This hotel
has spacious rooms mixing traditional H I G H S T
and modern styles. River Nore
Ormonde St; 056 777 1888; P A R N E L L S T R E E T ROSE I NN ST
www.kilkennyhibernianhotel.com F R I A R Y S T R E E T Castle
Kilkenny River Court Hotel moderate O R M O N D E S TR E E T PATRICK ST La wn
Comfortable hotel with beautifully T H E PA R A D E C A S T L E R O A D
appointed rooms, a lovely riverside Kilkenny Castle
terrace and pool. LO W E R NE W S T R E E T Design Gar dens
The Bridge, John St; 056 772 3388; WA L K I N S T O R M O N D E R O A D Centre
www.rivercourthotel.com
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200
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