Questions regarding visiting Kilkenny

[slp123]

Our British and Irish Isles cruise in late August/early September 2009 includes calling at Dunmore East/Waterford. Since the Waterford Crystal factory is closed, I was considering spending our day at Kilkenny, the medieval capital of Ireland. Has anyone spent time there? Were the historic sites worthwhile? Can anyone recommend a private local tour company both for transportation fr/to the ship and then touring the local sites? I looked both into the train schedule and renting a car locally and neither works out time wise (the car rental places closing early on Saturday, the day we are in that port and the trains not providing a long enough visit if we are to return to the ship on time).

 

Any suggestions much appreciated!

[slp123]

I went and researched this myself and since 32 people have already looked at my question and provided no answer I thought posting it might help others.

 

Is the tour I have arranged:

 

Waterford - Monastic Ireland- Jerpoint & Duiske Abbeys --approx 4-5 hours in duration.

Departing from the Viking City of Waterford, you will travel north to the neighboring county of Kilkenny, stopping to tour Jerpoint Abbey. Jerpoint is one of the finest monastic ruins in Ireland. This Cistercian abbey was founded in 1158 by the King of Ossory, Donagh Mac Gillapatrick. Continue to Graiguenamagh to visit Duiske Abbey, which takes its name from the duiske or "black water" that rushes down from Brandon Hill into the river Barrow. The Norman Cistercians from Stanley Abbey in Wiltshire founded the monastery here in 1204. Turning south, you will travel through County Wexford and the town of New Ross, set on a steep hill overlooking the River Barrow. Return to Waterford and ship.

[digital_curator]

Can't help you with transportation but Kilkenny is one of our favourite towns in Ireland.

 

We went to Kilkenny Castle, which was very interesting:

 

http://www.kilkennycastle.ie/en/

 

If you have a nice day, it would be a lovely place for a picnic

 

We also visited the Rothe House Museum, which had a pretty small collection but if you are interested in local history/archaeology might be worth a visit:

 

http://www.rothehouse.com/

 

We then went to the beautiful St. Canice's Cathedral:

 

http://www.cashel.anglican.org/cances.shtm

 

The town itself is pretty small, so it's easy to navigate on foot. You might want to check out a walking tour:

 

http://www.kilkennytourism.ie/eng/Things_To_Do/Walking_Tours/

 

(Kilkenny has a great tourist web site)

 

Unfortunately, you won't be there at night- Kilkenny has about 100 pubs and many have live music- we saw some great performers when we were there. However, you would be able to have lunch at Kyteler's Inn, where I had one of my best meals in Ireland in a rustic medieval building once inhabited by a witch ;) http://www.kytelersinn.com/index.asp

 

Hope that helps!

[hylasgirl]

How long would it take to get to Kilkenny Castle from the port at Dunmore East?

 

Thanks so much for any information on this port.

[slp123]

can't help you with transportation but kilkenny is one of our favourite towns in ireland.

 

We went to kilkenny castle, which was very interesting:

 

http://www.kilkennycastle.ie/en/

 

 

hope that helps!

 

thank you so much for the info--