Exploring Ireland: A Day Trip from Cork to Kilkenny
- That's How We Travel
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Summary. On this day of the Ireland portion of our journey, we traveled from Kenmare to Kilkenny, making our first stop in Cork. We rang the bells at St. Anne's and sampled delicacies from the English Market in Cork before spending the remainder of the day in Kilkenny, the Medieval City. In Kilkenny, we explored Kilkenny Castle, strolled along the Medieval Mile, climbed the Round Tower, and had some pints in an Irish pub while enjoying traditional Irish pub music.
[This blog is part of our 15-days in the British Isle trip].
Stopping in Cork. We headed out early from our Kenmare AirBnB and made the 90 minute drive to Cork. During peak season, St. Anne's in Cork opens at 10:00 a.m. and we wanted to arrive before any other tourists got the same idea.
Ringing the Bells of St. Anne’s. St. Anne’s Church is one of Cork City’s oldest working churches, still welcoming visitors and congregations for weekly services. The unforgettable highlight is the hands-on Shandon Bells experience, where visitors learn about the bells’ musical and historical importance, and even ring them themselves. We once saw this on a random You Tube video and decide we had to give it a try! Okay, okay, this writer is not very talented but still, it fun!
Next, we walked over to the central district to grab coffee and a treat at the English Market.
English Market. A market has stood on this site since 1788, originally opening as the “New Markets” meat shambles. Rebuilt over time, it now features a cast‑iron central fountain, elegant entrances from Princes Street and the Grand Parade. After damage from a fire in 1981, the market was fully restored and is a bustling market today. For our visit, we arrived just as vendors were opening.
Kilkenny. We next hit the road again and made our way to Kilkenny, our stop for the rest of the day and night. Dropping our bags and the car at the hotel we made our way on foot to walk the Medieval Mile.
Walking the Medieval Mile. Kilkenny is a small city with a population of just under 30,000. Despite its size, this ancient town, which dates back to the 6th century, is rich in historic buildings that can be explored on a relatively short walk. Numerous tours are available that guide you along the mile. Unfortunately, we arrived too late for these, but we did enjoy a tour at Round Tower (more on that later).
Kilkenny Castle. Kilkenny Castle has stood at the heart of the city since 1260, built to guard a key crossing point of the River Nore and important trade routes. Once a powerful symbol of Norman rule, the castle originally formed part of the town’s defenses, complete with towering corner turrets and a deep surrounding ditch, remnants of which can still be seen today. In 1967, the castle entered a new chapter when it was sold to the people of Kilkenny and later placed under public care. Now managed by the Office of Public Works, its beautifully maintained gardens and parkland are open to visitors year‑round. Beyond tourism, the castle continues to play an active role in civic life, hosting conferences, ceremonies, and university graduations within its historic walls.
Tickets can be purchased to view the interior of the grounds. Guided tours are also available.
The grounds are indeed quite beautiful.
Round Tower and St Canice's Cathedral. St Canice’s Round Tower in Kilkenny is one of only two in Ireland open to those that wish to climb to the top. Standing 30 meters high, it is reached via seven levels and 121 steps, leading to a safe viewing platform. From the top, visitors enjoy stunning 360-degree views of Kilkenny city and the surrounding countryside, making it a highlight for both heritage enthusiasts and sightseers. St. Canice is Ireland's second longest Cathedral dating back to the 13th Century.
We recommend taking a tour of the Cathedral. Tours are 12 euros and quite comprehensive.
View from the top of the Round Tour.
Video of Our Day in Kilkenny: Here is a video of our day in Kilkenny.
Enjoying a Pint and Live Irish Pub Music. Of course, we couldn't get enough of Ireland's pub life. That evening, we had dinner at a pub in central Kilkenny and enjoyed live music once again.
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