NOTE: This page is for trade people (regarding artwork, brand guidlines etc)

- to visit Official Tourism Medieval Mile page, click here

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Ireland's Medieval Mile is where heritage meets the here and now. A unique discovery trail linking Kilkenny castle and St. Canice's Cathedral with all manner of medieval magic in-between, this is your chance to experience all the sights, sounds and smells of a city where history really does come to life.

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Ireland's Medieval Mile is where history meets the here and now.

This is a unique discovery trail running through the heart of Kilkenny, linking St. Canice's Cathedral and a stunning Anglo-Norman castle with all sorts of medieval magic in-between. There's no experience quite like it.

Stepping through the centuries, you'll see historic buildings, streets and slipways. You'll pass a Tudor inn, a Dominican abbey blooming with stained glass, and the only example of an early 17th century merchant's house in Ireland.

You can visit a recreated medieval garden, climb St. Canice's Round Tower (the oldest standing structure on the city), and take a glimpse inside the lives of the Butler family and their servants at Kilkenny Castle. Or feel the hairs rise and your heart beat at tales of witchcraft in Kyteler's Inn… here since 1324.  

But it's not all ancient history. Kilkenny is one of Ireland's most cosmopolitan cities, with a thriving festival scene and a warm, creative and fun population. A mosey down the Medieval Mile is as much an immersion in the sights, smells and sounds of the modern city as the heritage that set it on its way.  

History never felt more alive.

Downloads

• Medieval Mile Map 2017 (1mb PDF)
• Artwork (Downloadable Zip File / 1.43 MB)
• Brand Guidelines (PDF File / 5 MB)

 

 

Kilkenny Castle - A 12th century castle set in extensive parklands, built for William Marshall and remodeled in Victorian times. This was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. The castle park and gardens are accessible free of charge while daily tours of the castle are available. Tour App available and an audio tour can be purchased at the attraction.

Butler Gallery - One of Ireland's most vibrant contemporary art spaces, the Butler Gallery is central to Kilkenny’s cultural life. It houses an excellent calendar of exhibitions from renowned Irish and International artists and is free of charge. It offers a year-round innovative education programme for all ages. Some of its permanent collection is based in public, civic and hotel venues throughout the city.

Kilkenny Design - Built in 1790, this unique complex of stone buildings in a courtyard setting was once the stables/coach houses of the Castle.

Housing a centre of creativity and design since 1960’s, attracting leading designers from Europe, has helped Kilkenny become recognised as a centre of design excellence.

Explore the courtyards and visit the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny Design Craft Centre and some craft workshops which form part of the Kilkenny Craft Trail.

National Craft Gallery - Established in 2000 by the Crafts Council of Ireland, this is Ireland’s leading centre for contem-porary craft and design.

The Gallery brings together the best and brightest of Irish and international designers, artists and makers through exhibitions exploring issues of material culture in interesting and accessible ways. It hosts an annual programme of talks, performances, children’s activities, workshops and weekly free tours.

The former St Mary’s Church has been converted into a modern museum and will also be a venue for select events and exhibitions. Designed to enrich the cultural life of the city and provide a new international standard attraction for visitors the museum has several functions: as the starting point for understanding Kilkenny’s medieval history, to display Kilkenny’s Civic Treasures and replicas of some of Ossory High Crosses and to provide a space for temporary exhibitions and cultural events.

The 13th century St Mary’s church and graveyard is the finest example of a medieval church in Ireland. As the starting point of the ‘Medieval Mile’ trail, it brings to life Kilkenny’s history as Ireland’s premier medieval city. Displays of Kilkenny’s civic treasures and replicas of some of the High Crosses of Ossory illustrate the local Gaelic monastic heritage and the ancient city’s historic role in Ireland.

Kilkenny’s 800-year story is told with a contemporary twist within the new museum. The customer experience contains a long colourful interactive table similar to a giant iPad, an elongated plasma TV screen and projected imagery onto a giant wall allowing visitors to get immersed in the rich history with the aid of modern technology.

The name Tholsel comes from two old English words ‘toll’ meaning tax and ‘sael’ meaning hall and is fondlyreferred to as the Town Hall.

Constructed in 1761 using local limestone, it served as custom house, guildhall, courthouse and today is a seat of local government and tax collection. A favourite spot for busking musicians and street art exhibitions!

A 16th Century tavern in Ireland’s oldest surviving townhouse. To gain access from the High St to the rear of the inner house, a hole was punched in the wall, thus giving it its name.

Today this venue hosts an array of cultural events, from literature, to music, dance and other artistic forms. A ‘treasure chest’ of character and characters.... A truly hidden gem!

First established by Dame Alice de Kyteler in the 13th century, Kyteler’s Inn is one of Ireland’s oldest inns. Alice, daughter of a Norman Banker, married four times amassing a fortune, while each husband died supposedly under suspicious circumstances. Alice was accused of witchcraft in what’s understood to be Europe’s first witchcraft trial and was sentenced to be burned. Her connection to local gentry ensured her escape to England.

Kilkenny Courthouse formerly known as Grace's Castle is used for sittings of the Circuit and District Courts.

Originally the town house of the wealthy Grace family, it was built in 1210 and converted to a prison in 1566.

It became a courthouse at the end of the 18th century. It features as part of Kilkenny City Historic Walking Tour.

With over 300 years of brewing experience, let your senses come to life as you immerse yourself in the history of Ireland’s favourite Ale. Go back in time to the 1300s, walk with the monks of St. Francis Abbey and discover how the beer was first born. Get a flavour for how our famous beer is made, from feeling the heat of the first malt to savouring the last drop of a refreshing pint.

Opening August 2014.

Built in 1594 by John Rothe, this 17th century merchant’s townhouse consists of three houses with courty ards. Over 2,500 artifacts from Kilkenny’s history are displayed here in its museum, while the garden is a reconstruction of a 17th century urban garden on a Burgage plot.

The Museum and Garden are open to visitors and also house an archaeological library, a gift shop & book collection and a genealogy service.

A site for Christian worship led by St Canice in the 6th century, the Cathedral was erected in the 13th century. One of only two medieval round towers in Ireland that can be climbed, the 9th century tower, offers the best views of the city

Daily tours are available of both attractions, while a small scale model of 1640s Kilkenny is on display in the Cathedral.

In 1350, after the Black Death, construction of the original Bishop’s Palace began using stone from three demolished churches in Kilkenny. The works were directed by Bishop Richard Ledred, a controversial figure, who led the first ever witchcraft trials in Europe, including the trial of Dame Alice Kyteler.

Headquarters of The Heritage Council, visitors can enjoy the restored walled garden.

Founded in 1225 by Sir William Marshall (Earl of Pembroke) for the Dominican Friars, the abbey features a tower and some magnificent windows dating from its original structure. At the Abbey’s entrance, there is a series of monumental slabs and stone coffins dating from the middle ages.

In the mid 19th century, it became a place of public worship.

St Mary’s Cathedral a towering 186-feet cut-limestone structure was built between 1843 and 1857 by William Deane Butler based on the design of Gloucester Cathedral.

The cathedral is accessible from the Black Abbey via Black Mill Street.

Highlights, including the massive Gothic façade, are an Italian marble high altar, relics of St Cosmos and St Damian and Benzoni’s statue of Our Lady.