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Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you back to Kilkenny Castle and have taken the necessary measures to ensure that everyone’s visit is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

To ensure the safety of our visitors & staff, Kilkenny Castle is reopening at a reduced capacity. Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions and some essential maintenance works some rooms are not available to view on the Tour Route.

To help manage the visitor numbers and maintain safe, social distancing we’ve reduced the number of people we can welcome at one time.

It is essential to pre-book tickets online in advance of visit. There are limited amount of tickets available from our ticket desk.
Pre-booking online is possible up to 7 days in advance of visit.

If you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever or sore throat, stay at home.

Buying Tickets

  • Tickets for the guided tours are limited and not available online. Please email bookingskilkennycastle@opw.ie or call 056 7704106 to reserve your place on one of our guided tours. Tickets for guided tours are not available more than 7 days in advance and bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Tickets for the self-guided visit are available online up to 7 days in advance  & on site from our Ticket Desk on the day of the visit pending availability.
  • You will need to choose a 30 minute arrival time for the day you wish to visit. Tickets are issued for a specific 30 minute timeslot which is your arrival time only.
  • All visitors need to have a ticket including all children under 12.
  • All visitors must queue to enter the building.
  • The Castle may not be suitable for visitors with reduced mobility, please contact us if you have any questions. Tel. 056 770 4100 / bookingskilkennycastle@opw.ie 
  • We regret that due to our restricted numbers Heritage Card holders do not get priority access at present.
  • Groups of 6 or more need to contact our booking office. Email bookingskilkennycastle@opw.ie

What to expect from your visit

To help keep our visitors and staff safe, we’ve made some changes on site and we’d be grateful if you could follow the guidance below.

When you arrive

  • Please have your ticket / QR code ready to show our staff at the main door of the Castle.
  • All visitors must queue to enter the building. Please be aware that our queuing system is outdoor.
  • If you purchased an Heritage Pass online, you will need to present your Heritage Card when our staff is scanning your Heritage Pass ticket
  • We have limited leaflets available and would recommend you download and print your own leaflet from our website (Several languages available) https://kilkennycastle.ie/visits/
  • In order to maintain social distancing, please arrive within your allocated timeslot. Sadly, if you are late, we won’t be able to guarantee you entry. Your entry will be at the discretion of the staff and will be based on visitor numbers and the ability to maintain social distancing.

 

During your visit

  • To keep visitor numbers at a safe level, the layout and flow of the tour route was changed to a strictly one-way system. Some of the Period Rooms are closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please follow the signs within the Castle
  • All visitors to Kilkenny Castle are required to wear face covering. For more info check: https://www.gov.ie/…/aac74c-guidance-on-safe-use-of-face-c…/
  • Several  hand sanitisation stations are available at all entry & exit points as well as in all “high touch” areas but you are strongly advised to bring your own individual bottle of antibacterial gel.
  • The visit of Kilkenny Castle is strictly operating a one-way system.
  • To help keep everyone safe, please follow social distancing and government guidance when you visit. If you’re showing any of the symptoms of COVID- 19, or if you’ve been in contact with anyone that has the virus in the last 14 days, please don’t visit at this time.
  • Please don’t sit on the furniture and avoid touching any of our displays, furniture or exhibitions
  • Our housekeeping team has implemented enhanced cleaning regimes in line with government guidance

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Facilities

  • Our toilets facilities are open at reduced capacity and access is through a one way system
  • The tea room in the Victorian Kitchen is not open, for more information email nostalgiacafe@eircom.net or nostalgiacafe65@gmail.com
  • Unfortunately we do not have Cloakroom /locker facilities or storage area for pushchairs/prams
  • The Playground is open. Parents & guardians of children using the playground will be expected to supervise their children at all times. Please take all recommended precautions relating to the public health guidelines

Heritage Cards

We are urging everyone to stay local, avoid busy places and continue to follow government advice on social distancing. Together we can make the visit of Kilkenny Castle safe & enjoyable.

We have limited leaflets available and would recommend you download and print your own leaflet below.

Visitor Guide (English) (PDF)

Other languages available at https://kilkennycastle.ie/visits/