Bus Hire in Kilkenny

Kilkenny is Ireland's best-preserved medieval city and the most visited heritage destination in the south-east outside Dublin. The walled city core -- from Kilkenny Castle on the River Nore to St Canice's Cathedral and its round tower on the north hill -- is known as the Medieval Mile, a 1-kilometre heritage trail linking the city's finest medieval monuments. The Kilkenny Arts Festival (August) and the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival (June) are the two main cultural events.

The nearest major airports are Dublin (DUB, 145 kilometres north-east via the M9, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes) and Waterford (WAT, 50 kilometres south via the N10 and N25, approximately 45 minutes). Kilkenny is easily accessible as a day trip from Dublin and is a standard overnight stop on south of Ireland touring itineraries.

Kilkenny Castle and the Medieval Mile

Kilkenny Castle (on the Castle Road adjacent to the River Nore) was the seat of the powerful Butler family for 500 years. The castle was donated to the Irish state in 1967 and is managed by the Office of Public Works. The castle's Long Gallery (a Victorian picture gallery with a hammer-beam roof) and the renovated great hall are the main visitor spaces. Coaches drop off on the Castle Road adjacent to the castle main gate; the dedicated coach car park is on the Parade (200 metres). St Canice's Cathedral (a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, 700 metres north of the castle via the High Street) has an adjoining 9th-century round tower climable by visitors -- one of the few remaining accessible round towers in Ireland.

Medieval Mile Museum and the Black Abbey

The Medieval Mile Museum (in the former St Mary's Church, 400 metres north of the castle) is Kilkenny's newest heritage centre, opened in 2017, holding the most important collection of medieval grave slabs in Ireland along with the Rothe House costume and civic collection. The Black Abbey (200 metres west of the High Street) is a Dominican friary founded in 1225 and still in use as a parish church; its Rose Window is one of the finest examples of medieval stained glass in Ireland. The Smithwick's Experience (adjacent to Kilkenny Castle at the St Francis Abbey brewery site) is a heritage brewery tour popular with groups.

Jerpoint Abbey and the Rock of Cashel Day Trips

Jerpoint Abbey (15 kilometres south via the N9 and N10 to Thomastown, approximately 20 minutes) is a 12th-century Cistercian abbey -- one of the best-preserved medieval monastic remains in Ireland -- with carved cloister arcade figures and a substantial tower. The Rock of Cashel (55 kilometres west of Kilkenny via the N76 and N74 through Callan, approximately 50 minutes) is a dramatic limestone rock outcrop crowned by a 12th-century Romanesque chapel (Cormac's Chapel), a Gothic cathedral, and a round tower, all managed by the Office of Public Works. Both are standard half-day excursions from Kilkenny and are included on most south of Ireland touring programmes.

What Bus Hire Costs in Kilkenny

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Kilkenny runs around 380 to 690 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 520 to 1,000 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 670 to 1,270 EUR per day. Kilkenny is a seasonal market with strong demand during the Kilkenny Arts Festival in August and the Cat Laughs comedy festival in June, when accommodation and coaches are booked out. The rest of the year offers good availability. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Kilkenny