Kilkenny isn’t just a pretty picture—this medieval Irish town offers a surprisingly diverse selection of tours and experiences that cater to all kinds of travelers. Whether you’re into hearty history, lively storytelling, ghostly tales, or enjoying a pint of Ireland’s oldest ale, Kilkenny makes it easy to turn your visit into a memorable adventure. Some tours stand out, like the immersive Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny, which combines history, craft, and a chance to sample local brews, or the Walk historic Kilkenny with a qualified tour guide that offers a comprehensive peek into the city’s landmarks. For those with an interest in the spooky side of Kilkenny, the Haunted Dark Tours deliver ghost stories and dark legends that make the town’s past come alive. All these options give you a taste of Kilkenny’s charm and character, helping you decide what suits your travel style best.
Quick Overview
Our list features nine top-rated tours and experiences in Kilkenny, covering everything from historic city walks and medieval storytelling to storytelling with humor and dark ghost tours. For a taste of Ireland’s brewing heritage, the Smithwick’s Experience provides an engaging, interactive brewery history with tastings. The Walking tour with a licensed guide is perfect if you want to see the key sights and learn about Kilkenny’s past, while the Haunted Dark Tour explores Kilkenny’s spooky side. For something fun for the family, the Knight For Hire Tour combines history and medieval costumes, making history entertaining for all ages. Other options include themed walks like Walk the Medieval Mile with Pat and Kilkenny: Historical and Hysterical Guided City Tour. Whether you’re into ghost stories, medieval tales, or lively city explorations, Kilkenny has a tour for you.
1. Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny Entrance Ticket
At number one, the Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny offers an engaging, multi-sensory journey into Ireland’s oldest ale. Located in a Victorian brewing building right in Kilkenny city, this tour immerses visitors in the history of Smithwick’s, which dates back to 1710 and even traces its roots to monks at St. Francis Abbey. The 1-hour guided experience combines holograms, living portraits, and storytelling, making it far more than just a beer tasting. You’ll learn about the art and science of brewing, from hops to barley, and get a chance to sample the product—either a single pint or a tasting paddle with three ales. The tour has earned a perfect 5.0-star rating from 269 reviews, with visitors praising the knowledgeable guides and lively presentation. One highlight is how the brewery history is intertwined with Kilkenny’s medieval past, making it a rich cultural experience.
This tour is perfect for beer lovers and history buffs alike. It’s also a good value at around $25. For families or groups interested in Irish brewing traditions, this is a memorable highlight. However, it’s limited to one hour, so if you’re looking for a deep dive into brewing, consider upgrading to the tasting experience. Bottom line: a lively, informative visit that combines history, beer, and fun.
2. Walk historic Kilkenny with a qualified tour guide
Number two on our list is a comprehensive walk through Kilkenny, lasting about two hours. Led by a local guide, this tour covers the city’s main landmarks—Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral, the Black Abbey—and many lesser-known spots that often get overlooked. The route includes stops at iconic sites and secret corners, providing rich storytelling with a friendly, engaging style. One reviewer notes that the guide, John, is both knowledgeable and humorous, which keeps the walk lively and educational.
This tour is excellent for first-time visitors who want a broad overview of Kilkenny’s history and architecture. The small-group size (max 10 people) ensures an intimate experience, with tips and recommendations from your guide. The tour price is about $14, making it very accessible. Admission to attractions like Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice’s Cathedral is not included, so plan for a few extra euros if you want to go inside.
Bottom line: a well-organized, value-packed tour for those who enjoy easy walking and storytelling, with enough flexibility to customize your experience.
3. Kilkenny Haunted Dark Tours
For something a little spookier, the Kilkenny Haunted Dark Tours offers a 75-minute walk into the ghostly side of Kilkenny. Led by a knowledgeable guide, Sharon, the tour explores Kilkenny Castle, Grace’s Castle, and the Medieval Mile at night, sharing stories of witch trials, plagues, murders, and spirits said to haunt the town. The tour has a 5-star rating from nearly 200 reviews, with visitors appreciating the mix of history and ghostly tales. It’s a great choice if you enjoy dark stories and atmospheric walks.
The tour is suitable for those who don’t mind standing outside in cooler weather, as it takes place after sunset. The central meeting point makes it easy to find, and the stories are lively but respectful. The price is around $21, offering a fun, spine-tingling experience that’s perfect for families, couples, or anyone interested in Ireland’s darker legends.
Bottom line: a fun, family-friendly ghost walk that combines history and storytelling, giving a different flavor of Kilkenny’s past.
4. Kilkenny: Historical and Hysterical Guided City Walking Tour
At number four, this hysterical and historical tour offers a 90-minute stroll through Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, led by the entertaining Nevin Cody. His background as a magician, storyteller, and comedian brings Kilkenny’s history to life with humor and wit. This tour covers top sights including Kilkenny Castle, the Black Abbey, Rothe House, and Kytelers Inn, with plenty of amusing anecdotes along the way.
Guests consistently praise Nevin’s storytelling ability, saying the tour feels like a fun history lesson with a friend. It’s suitable for all ages, especially families or groups looking for a lively, engaging way to learn about the city. The tour costs about $21 and is a good value considering the entertainment and insights included.
Bottom line: an energetic, humorous tour that balances history with fun, perfect for those who appreciate a lively guide and some Irish wit.
5. Walk the Medieval Mile with Pat
Next, Walk the Medieval Mile with Pat offers a 90-minute guided exploration of Kilkenny’s iconic trail from St. Canice’s Cathedral to Kilkenny Castle. Led by Pat in full medieval costume, this tour is rich in stories about witches, merchants, and bishops, making it highly engaging for history and storytelling lovers alike. Pat’s storytelling style is lively, and he shares quirky tales about why yew trees grow in graveyards and other local legends.
Rated highly by visitors, this tour is particularly well-suited for first-time visitors wanting a broad overview of Kilkenny’s medieval past. The price is around $21, making it an affordable, immersive experience. The tour is ideal for fitting into a full day’s sightseeing, with stops at key landmarks providing a comprehensive taste of the city’s heritage.
Bottom line: a lively and engaging introduction to Kilkenny’s medieval history, especially great if you enjoy storytelling and costumes.
6. Medieval Mile Museum Self Guided Audio Tour
For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, the Medieval Mile Museum Self Guided Audio Tour offers a flexible, inexpensive way to learn about Kilkenny’s medieval past. Priced at just over $8, it allows visitors to explore the museum’s exhibits, tombstones, high crosses, and graveyard with a downloadable audio guide suitable for families and solo travelers.
One of the highlights is exploring inside a well-preserved 13th-century church and wandering through the graveyard, reading tombstones and discovering stories of past residents. The audio guide offers a family-friendly experience, with enough detail to keep adults interested and enough storytelling to captivate children. Open most days, it’s perfect for those wanting a relaxed, self-paced visit.
Bottom line: ideal for independent travelers or families wanting a budget-friendly, flexible way to experience Kilkenny’s medieval heritage.
7. Knight For Hire Tour
For a family-friendly adventure, the Knight For Hire Tour offers a 60-75 minute walking experience led by a real medieval knight in full costume. This small-group tour takes you around Kilkenny’s top spots like Canal Square, the Medieval Mile Museum, and Kilkenny Castle. It’s designed to make history fun and accessible, with stories about medieval life, castles, and armor, plus interactive sword handling.
Guests rave about how knowledgeable and engaging the guide is, making it perfect for kids and adults alike. The thematic dress-up and storytelling create a memorable experience at a very reasonable price of around $17. This tour suits families, history lovers, or groups looking for a more playful, theatrical approach to Kilkenny’s past.
Bottom line: a lively, family-friendly, and interactive way to discover Kilkenny’s medieval roots, blending education with fun.
8. Guided tour of Kilkenny in French with an Irish guide
Number eight, this French-language guided tour offers a personalized experience with John Britton, who shares Kilkenny’s secrets with humor and warmth. Spanning about 90 minutes, the route includes St. Canice’s Cathedral, Black Abbey, Rothe House, and the historic Irish Jail. The guide’s bilingual skills make this ideal for French-speaking travelers wanting to connect with Kilkenny’s sites in their native language.
What sets this tour apart is John’s Irish humor and the interactive nature of the experience—asking questions, sharing stories, and giving personalized recommendations. Visitors praise his passion and storytelling skill, with some noting he is very knowledgeable about Kilkenny’s architecture and legends.
Priced at just over $14, it’s a great budget option for French-speaking visitors who want a relaxed, engaging introduction to Kilkenny.
Bottom line: a friendly, personable tour for French speakers, offering a mix of history, humor, and local insights.
9. Walk Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile with Pat
Finally, the Walk Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile with Pat offers a brief but memorable 90-minute tour led by a charismatic guide in full medieval attire. Pat’s storytelling, humor, and enthusiasm make this a charming way to explore Kilkenny’s core. The tour emphasizes Pat’s personality, blending historical facts with entertaining stories that leave visitors with a strong sense of Kilkenny’s medieval soul.
This experience is best suited for travelers wanting a quick yet lively overview, especially if they enjoy character-driven tours. Although it has only four reviews so far, those who participated loved Pat’s engaging style, highlighting it as a tour that “highlighted Kilkenny’s stories with humor and insight.”
Bottom line: a fun, quick introduction to Kilkenny’s medieval past, ideal for those who appreciate storytelling and a personal touch.
How to Choose Your Perfect Tour in Kilkenny
Picking the right experience depends on your interests, budget, and how much time you want to spend. If you’re after a lively, behind-the-scenes look at Ireland’s brewing history, Smithwick’s Experience is well worth the price. For a rundown of the city’s landmarks, the guided city walk offers value with local insights. If spooky stories fascinate you, the Haunted Dark Tours deliver a chilling perspective. Families or kids will enjoy the Knight For Hire with its interactive, playful approach. Meanwhile, those who prefer flexibility can try the self-guided audio tour.
Think about your walking stamina—Kilkenny’s tours vary from 75 minutes to 2 hours—and your interest in history, humor, or ghost stories. Book early during peak seasons to secure your spot, especially for popular guides like Nevin Cody or the haunted tour. For the most immersive experience, combine a guided walk with a visit to the Medieval Mile Museum or the Smithwick’s Brewery.
In summary, Kilkenny’s tours offer a wide array of ways to experience its charms. From the beer-loving to history enthusiasts and families seeking fun, this city has something special for everyone. If you want to see the city’s top sights with a knowledgeable guide, the Kilkenny Guided Tours and Hysterical Walking Tour are excellent bets. For a spooky twist, the Haunted Dark Tours add a bit of thrill. And if you’re into Ireland’s brewing tradition, the Smithwick’s Experience offers a taste of history and craft in one memorable package. No matter your style, booking early ensures you make the most of your Kilkenny adventure.