Kilkenny is known for its vibrant culture and artistic heritage. It has long attracted bohemian types who soak up inspiration from the town's lively atmosphere. It is also famed for being a festival town and offers a huge amount of festivals throughout the year - everything from blues music to food to world cinema!
Kilkenny has its own animation festival, Kilkenny Animated. It's hosted by Lighthouse Studios and Cartoon Saloon and there are plenty ways to get involved. Artists and animators in Kilkenny also host their own groups and meet ups, and our studio has a social committee that regularly organises all kinds of fun!
Bars & Restaurants
There are so many pubs in Kilkenny to choose from, and no matter what kind of vibe you're feeling there'll be something for you to enjoy. Billy Byrne's, Sullivans and Kyteler's are favourites of ours - good vibes, craft beers and tasty pub bites. For the more luxurious evening, Rive Gauche is a favourite, with its decadent interior, premium cocktail menu and exquisite French dishes.
Let's face it though, most of the time we're looking for budget-friendly food and well-poured Guinness. For tasty lunchtimes, Aroi offers a great value lunch time meal deal with a main course + gelato for little over a tenner. Cafe 500 offers purse-friendly pizzas and pastas. To get to know the local scene, check out Ken On Food - https://kenonfood.com/
Walks & Nature
One of the best things about Kilkenny is that it is a small city with plenty to offer the nature enthusiast. Right in the middle of town there's the Nore River Walk - a 5km loop walk along the river, past the Kilkenny castle walls and through the woods. You can extend the walk to a vigorous 10km by walking all the way to Bennetsbridge!
Newpark Fens is another loop walk on the outskirts of town. This one is great for birdwatching, a secluded haven that is just 1km long. Perfect for joggers who don't like to meet lots of people!
Another popular walk along the River Nore is the Bishopsmeadows walk. On one side, it's a peaceful trail through greenery and features an open air community gym. On the other, you'll find people having a dip at all times of the year - including our MD! Make sure to stay up to date with the water warnings so you know it's safe to swim.
Of course, all of this comes on top of just wandering through the city centre, finding all the slipways and cobbled paths that connect the town, and taking in all the charm and craic Kilkenny has to offer.