Unique Experience
Luxury Experience| Personalised Private Guided Tour |Exclusive access to Kilkenny Castle Collections
Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Kilkenny Castle. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years.
Once home to the very powerful and influential Butler Family (Dukes, Marquesses and Earls of Ormonde), Kilkenny Castle is today one of the most prestigious National Historic Properties in Ireland. It stands on a strategic height above the River Nore, in 21 hectares of magnificent rolling parkland and formal gardens at the heart of Kilkenny City.
Luxury Experience:
Private Viewing of pieces from the Ormonde Collection with a personalised guided visit of Kilkenny Castle
Step back in time and enjoy the wonder and history of this prestigious stately home.
You will be warmly greeted and accompanied throughout your visit by one of our most experienced guides, who will enthral you with wonderful stories of the very powerful and influential Butler Family.
This magnificent Castle has many hidden gems, which will be exclusively available to our Unique Experience guests.
Some very special pieces from the Ormonde Collection will be available for viewing in the Duchess Closet of the west wing.
Our guests will have the opportunity to handle some of these pieces, which may include weaponry, family photographs and special family pieces.
Detailed Inclusions:
- A warm welcome and introduction to Kilkenny Castle on arrival
- A themed guided visit to the magnificent rooms by one of the Castle’s most experienced Guides, which will include access to wonderful exhibitions. The visit can be personalised to the specific interests of our guests with advance notice
- Exclusive viewing of some very special pieces from the Ormonde Collection in the Duchess Closet of the west wing
Supplementary Options:
- Exclusive car parking in the grounds of the Castle for one car or mini-van
Facilities on site:
Exhibitions, tearooms, stunning parkland walks, the formal Rose Garden with its feature fountain
Booking conditions
For prices and booking information contact Anne Teehan
anne.teehan@opw.ie, Tel: +353 (0)46 942 3481, Mobile: +353 (0) 87 6383017.
Bookings must be confirmed by email 2 weeks in advance.
Group size: Min 1 to Max 8 guests
Duration : 90 minutes
Language: English and French
Availability: Monday to Friday throughout the year.
Mobility: Universal access is available at the west wing only
Payment: Payment is required in full in advance. Refunds will only be given with 48 hours notification of cancellation.
Location
Kilkenny Castle is situated on the Castle Road in the very heart of Kilkenny City. Exclusive parking will be available to our Unique Experience guests within the grounds for one car or mini-van, with drop off and collection at the main door of the Castle in the courtyard.
We also have a Visitors Amenities and Access Point map for your reference. Map available here.
Further information about Kilkenny is available from Fáilte Ireland and from Visit Kilkenny
Kilkenny Castle
Other OPW Unique Experiences
Enjoy a unique experience at a choice of four historic locations in Ireland: Castletown House in Ireland’s Ancient East, Dublin Castle in the heart of the historic city, Farmleigh House in Dublin’s Phoenix Park or Kilkenny Castle in the ‘marble city’.
Each experience offers a private guided tour and an opportunity to meet with expert OPW curators and guides, who will take you behind the scenes to explore unique collections of art, books, objet d’art and the stunning buildings themselves.
Click here for more details
