Come explore Kilkenny with local tourist attractions offering special events and offers this St. Patrick’s weekend !!
St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny and Kilkenny Tradfest will be taking over the medieval city of Kilkenny this weekend ! March 14th – 17th. But Kilkenny is a tourist hot spot all year round with it’s beautiful 800 year old Castle and medieval streets and buildings, plus of course the thriving pub and food scene! It’s one of the best places to visit in Ireland, if we do say so ourselves 😉
For the weekend that’s in it and to celebrate St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny some of the top Kilkenny attractions are hosting special events or have special offers just for you! Check out the full list below and make sure to check them out while you’re here at our BIG FESTIVAL IN A SMALL CITY!
MUSEUM OF THE MOON
St Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower is set to unveil the Museum of the Moon, a breath-taking installation by artist Luke Jerram, on March 10th, 2025, for an exclusive three-week exhibit. The Museum of the Moon, a large-scale installation, will dominate the cathedral, dramatically suspended three metres from the ground above head height. The luminous artwork features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface.
Dates: 10th – 31st March 2025 Times: 10am – 5pm Cost: From €7.50
Plus St. Canice’s Cathedral is hosting a number of events under the Moon including Sharon Shannon in Concert Under the Moon, Bay Port High School in Concert (free) and The Lunar Banquet.
MEDIEVAL MILE MUSEUM KIDS GO FREE
800 years of history under one roof, come and discover medieval treasures. Located in the heart of Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, no trip to Kilkenny is complete without a visit to the Medieval Mile Museum.On St. Patrick’s weekend Kids get in for free!!
Dates: Museum open daily | Offer March 15th – 17th Times: 9.30am – 4.30pm Cost:Kids Free | Adults from €7
Over the weekend the museum will also be running a Medieval Mile Tour each afternoon at 1.30pm.
THE TRIAL OF DAME ALICE KYTELER 700TH ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE AT ROTHE HOUSE
On St. Patrick’s Day, in a dramatic display, the Kilkenny Historical Re-enactment Group will take visitors back to medieval Kilkenny to relive that fateful day of November 3 in the year 1324 with The Trial of Dame Alice Kyteler. Join them in the Rothe House courtyard for this 15min performance post Parade.
Dates: Monday 17th March | Rothe House open daily Times: Performance at 3.30pm Cost: Free
Rothe House & Garden is a stunning 16th Century Merchant House where each step tells a story of 16th century merchant life in Kilkenny. Find out more here.
AMERICAN MARCHING BANDS PERFORMING AT KILKENNY CASTLE
Sunday 16th sees 4 American Marching Bands come to Kilkenny to perform in Kilkenny Castle Park and the Festival Stage. A renowned location in our city the majestic castle is a favourite among visitors and there is a great tradition of bands performing on the grounds ahead of there St. Patrick’s Day Parade participation in Dublin.
Dates: Sunday 16th March Times: Performances at 10am, 11am, 12noon & 3pm Cost: Free
Kilkenny Castle will also be open to visitors across the weekend and the Parade and Parade tower will host a number of Festival events including music workshops (Youth Fiddle workshop,Bodhrán Workshop), historical talks and Festival Fireworks Display!
SNAKES & SNOCKS AT THE NATIONAL REPTILE ZOO
Visit the National Reptile Zoo Saturday 15th, Sunday 16th and Monday 17th of March and join in on their craft workshop to learn about snake evolution and make your own “snock” puppet with your old sock (bring your own sock!)
You’ll learn why people fear snakes and how different snakes live in the wild, then design your own snock and imagined habitat and diet. Plus we’ll discuss the circular economy and how you contribute to it by upcycling old stuff, such as your old sock!
Dates: Saturday 15th – Monday 17th Times: 10am – 5.30pm Cost: Included with General Admission
National Reptile Zoo will be open all weekend. Book in advance here or when you arrive.
FREE GUIDED TOURS AT BUTLER GALLERY
Butler Gallery offers free guided tours on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays at 12.00pm and 3.00pm. The tours provide an engaging walk-through of modern and contemporary Irish art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Butler Gallery’s friendly and experienced tour guides introduce you to the wonderful artworks in the Main Gallery and Permanent Collection galleries along with the fascinating history of the gallery’s medieval location and refurbished Georgian building, ‘Evans’ Home’. Tours take approximately 1 hour. Booking recommended. Tours are currently limited to 15 people per tour. Call 056 7761106 for enquiries.
Dates: Saturday 15th – Monday 17th Times: 12pm & 3pm | Gallery open 11am – 5pm Cost: Free
DÉISE MEDIEVAL AT THE CRAFT YARD
Craft, combat and conversation. Déise Medieval is a Waterford-based amateur society for living history and medieval combat enthusiasts who aim to recreate and bring to life the crafts and skills of the early to mid-medieval period, encompassing both the Viking and Norman eras.
Dates: Monday 17th March Times: 11am – 5pm Cost: Free
The National Craft Gallery is located in the Craft Yard and is open Tuesdays – Saturdays 10am – 5.30pm or you can pick up a unique gift from one of the many craft businesses and makers located in the Craft Yard. Walking through the arch on the far side of the yard will bring you to Butler House & Garden.
MEDIEVAL MOMENTS EVENING WALKING TOURS WITH SHENANIGANS WALKS
A special tour just for St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny! Take an evening stroll through the beautiful streets and alleyways of Kilkenny’s medieval city. Stopping at key moments learn about the medieval history of Kilkenny, hear about historic witch trials and be entertained with local legends. Explore the city by night and get a different perspective on this evening walking tour hosted by Nevin Cody from Shenanigans Walks as part of St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny 2025. This tour promises to be an entertaining, fun and informative adventure with a touch of magic and plenty of Shenanigans!
Dates & Times: Friday 15th: 6.30pm & 8pm Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th: 5pm & 6.30pm Cost: €15 | Concession €11 Book here!
Kilkenny has so much to offer! After you’ve explored the city and enjoyed all the festival events why not retreat to one of Kilkenny’s fine pubs for live Irish traditional music on the free music trail as part of Kilkenny Tradfest, or treat yourself to sumptuous food in one of the many fantastic restaurants!
If you’re after something very Irish Kilkenny are playing Limerick in the men’s hurling league in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Saturday. Find out more and pick up tickets here or head to a local pub and enjoy the banter and the tension with local fans!
FYI Kilkenny is a small city with a big energy so you’ll be able to walk from place to place and event to event no problem! Explore Kilkenny city is easy city on foot!