Say goodbye to winter and hello to the colourful spring in Kilkenny, Ireland!
Spring begins on the first of March and continues until the end of May. During this season, Kilkenny Ireland’s flora and fauna begin to flourish and wake up from the long winter. The skies get clearer, the weather gets warmer, and the days get longer. What better way to enjoy the splendid season than to head outdoors?
From outdoor heritage attractions and walking trails to scenic parks, gardens, and woodlands, the medieval city is packed with must-visit destinations to make your spring break worthwhile. The best part is spring is considered a shoulder season, so you can still take advantage of affordable rates on Kilkenny hotels and fewer crowds.
Planning to visit Kilkenny soon? In this guide, we’ll share 7 exciting trip ideas to enjoy in Marble City this spring of 2023.
1. Start your trip with culture and history
How about starting your holiday with some culture and history in Kilkenny? In Spring, you have a good chance of taking a stroll on a clear, sunny day — a perfect opportunity to explore Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile and visit its top landmarks.
The trail links the 13th-century St Canice’s Cathedral and the 12th-century Anglo-Norman Kilkenny Castle. In between, you’ll see a wide array of fascinating sights and landmarks including:
- Rothe House & Garden
- The Tholsel, Kilkenny
- Black Freren Gate
- Maudlin Castle
- Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral
- Black Abbey
- The Medieval Room at the Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle
- National Design and Craft Gallery
- Butler Gallery
- St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum
- MADE in Kilkenny Craft Trail
It only takes an hour to explore the Medieval Mile, unless you’d prefer to take it slow and treat yourself to retail therapy. Take a break in your hotel in Kilkenny and head out after dark to make the most out of the thriving nightlife.
2. Enjoy Kilkenny’s energetic music festivals
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the only major festival to look forward to this spring — running alongside Paddy’s Day is Tradfest. The music festival puts an emphasis on Irish music, with céilís, sessions, Irish dance, pub gigs, and much more.
Missed the Tradfest? Fret not — Kilkenny Roots Festival is only a month away. The four-day festival, which runs from 28th April to 1st May 2023, will cover a wide range of Irish and international acts. They’ll perform in venues throughout Kilkenny city, most of which are free of charge.
3. Spend your Easter break at Nore Valley Park
If you’re looking for memorable ways to celebrate Easter with your family, don’t miss Nore Valley Easter Egg Hunt. This much-anticipated annual Easter event in Kilkenny runs from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th April 2023. Kids can hunt far and wide around the vast farm for hidden eggs and claim sweets as a reward. You can also camp on-site, have a picnic, and enjoy a wide array of outdoor amenities and activities including:
- Farm and woodland
- Pet farm
- Children’s play area
- Giant chess and table tennis
- Sandpit
- Trailer rides
- Pedal go-karts
- Golf
- Horse riding
- Canoeing and taking riverwalks
- Swimming
- Fishing
- And more!
4. Admire nature in Kilkenny
What better way to enjoy the longer and brighter days of spring than exploring Kilkenny’s wildlife-rich landscapes? While Kilkenny is packed with charming medieval buildings and landmarks, it’s also nice to see the city from a different light and enjoy the vivid colours of flowers, shrubs, and waterfronts.
Aside from Nore Valley Park, there are other scenic Kilkenny parklands and woodlands you can visit for unforgettable outdoor adventures.
- Kilkenny Castle Park
- Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum
- Castlecomer Discovery Park
- Kilfane Glen and Waterfall
- Natural Reptile Zoo
5. Go cycling around Kilkenny
Spring is such a great time to get around, not only on foot but also on two wheels. Kilkenny Cycling tours provide guided cycling tours of the city whilst getting some exercise.
Whether you’re riding solo or with your group, you can enjoy a series of cycling trails that take place in areas of local heritage and natural spaces. These include rivers, canals, towns, villages, and even Kilkenny’s hidden gems.
7. Check out the city’s water-based trip ideas
Summer might be a couple of months away but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a rewarding water-based holiday. Kilkenny doesn’t have a beach but it does have a few lakes and rivers both for tranquil boat trips and action-packed white water adventures.
Try checking out Go with the Flow, Pure Water, or Paddle your Own Canoe, which offers something for water enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a travel and lifestyle writer. Aside from taking vibrant street photos, you can find her writing articles about travel, food, and lifestyle. To know more about hotels and travel blogs, you may visit Pembroke Hotel Kilkenny.
