• Kilkenny for 2 nights
• Kinsale, County Cork for 2 nights
• Killarney for 3 nights
• Clare for 2 nights
• Galway for 2 nights
• Dublin for last 3 nights

A favoured weekend break destination for Dublin based Irish; Kilkenny is home to a vast array of excellent pubs with a reputation for great music and food.

Estimated driving time if driving directly to Kilkenny is about 90+ minutes and if taking the side trip to Kildare as outlined would be about 2 hours.

En-Route to Kilkenny you might like to stop in the town of Kildare to visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens. The National Stud comprises three separate attractions. The 1,000 acre Farm at Tully has been in use as a Stud Farm since 1900 when it was owned by Col. William Hall-Walker. It is home to some of Ireland's finest thoroughbreds. There's a Horse Museum tracing the history of the horse in Ireland using artifacts, illustrations and text and the skeleton of the legendary steeplechaser 'Arkle'. In fact the winner of the 2003 Californian ‘Breeders Cup Mile’ race is a National Stud horse, the 3rd in the last 9 years.

The Japanese Gardens are situated in the grounds of the Stud Farm and were created between 1906 and 1910. They are planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man' from the cradle to the grave. St. Fiachra's Garden was designed as a Millennium project and has 2.5 hectares (4 acres) of Woodland & Lakeside walks.

From here take the N9 directly into Kilkenny. If travellinig directly to Kilkenny take the N7, the M7, the M9 and then the N9 South before branching off at Whitehall onto the N10.

Kilkenny

Long renowned as Ireland’s Medieval Capital, the city’s origins date back more than 1,500 years. Kilkenny, from the Gaelic "Cill Ceannaigh", derives its name from a 6th century monk called Saint Canice. Characterised by beautifully restored old buildings and covered slipways, Kilkenny City is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating, historical buildings, and contemporary shops, design galleries, cafés and restaurants. It is also an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding counties.

The great building prowess of the Normans is very evident in the 11th and 12th century structures they bestowed on the city. Not alone in the large “set piece” buildings, such as St. Canice’s Cathedral, the imposing Butler castle, the four surviving medieval abbeys, but also the linear streetscape, especially the attractive, covered stepped slipways. The 17th century was a time of great social and political turmoil for Kilkenny. It was the seat of the national parliament for a six-year period, the infamous Oliver Cromwell invaded the city in 1650 and Kilkenny College (another superb building in John Street, now serving as County Hall) was attended by such luminaries as Jonathan Swift and George Berkeley. This may mark the beginning of the lively cultural and intellectual movement that still thrives there. As well as Kilkenny Castle other attractions in Kilkenny itself and its environs include;

Saint Canice's Cathedral (Anglican), the second longest of Ireland's medieval cathedrals, provides a seminal influence on Kilkenny life. Built on the site of an earlier church, which in turn replaced an earlier timber structure, the major portion of the work that produced the beautiful Gothic structure was carried out by Bishop Hugh de Mapilton in the middle of the 13th Century. Except for the spire, which collapsed in 1332, the present building is largely unchanged from the 13th century.

Features of the cathedral include the fine collection of 16th and 17th century tombstones; black marble monuments to lords, ladies and bishops, and to Edmund Purcell, 16th century captain of the Ormond's notorious gallowglasses, or mercenaries; the 12th century font and St. Kieran's chair, built into the cathedral walls and still used in the enthronement of the Bishops of Ossory; the Bishop's Palace and library, founded in 1679 and containing 3,000 works from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the Red Book of Ossory, a 15th century manuscript which chronicles the lives of early saints.

Cityscope, a scale model of the city as it was in 1640, is on view in the south aisle. Also on view are rich carvings worked in both, timber and stone, some dating to the 13th century, colourful stained glass, and everywhere the authentic air of a structure that has served the community for over 800 years.

Outside, the 9th century round tower, once used by the monks for refuge, may be climbed (weather permitting). Available from mid-March to October, it is well worth taking one of the walking tours of this compact city to fully appreciate the history of the area.

Recommended Pubs in Kilkenny:

This is a list of a number of recommended Pubs in Kilkenny offering a friendly atmosphere & traditional music – Please note that while times when music is played in the following pubs is outlined within their descriptions, these may change without warning.

Anna Conda

1 Watergate Parliament Street Kilkenny Music: Ballads, Traditional Music, Music Played: Friday, Saturday & Monday 9.30pm 'til close

This is a characterful and charming little pub which is renowned for its traditional music and its warm and welcoming atmosphere. The interior has a fine old mix of furniture, warm yellow walls, a long bar, a timber floor and plenty of solid pine tables. And in these marvellous surroundings, the bar fills up in the evenings with a great collection of local personalities.

As the oldest bar in Kilkenny, Anna Conda has a genuine down-to-earth character and charm. You'll find a variety of marvellous local musicians at set times during the weekend. There's also a delightful beer garden where you can watch ducks on the river while enjoying an afternoon pint on sunny days. The service is excellent and you're bound to bump into a number of interesting locals.

Cleere's Pub

Parliament Street Kilkenny Music: Ballads, Traditional Music, Music Played: Sun, Mon 9.30-til close

A quaint little pub which is enjoyably idiosyncratic, charming inside, this is a rambling traditional bar with lots of good sturdy furniture and little nooks and crannies. There’s a friendly bustling atmosphere which has a lovely welcoming feel. Always busy at lunchtime and in the evenings, plenty of chatty locals and visitors mix easily in its convivial ambience. This is a small and appealing pub, well-loved in the area for its traditional music, and once in off the main street, it’s nice and peaceful inside. Cosy and spotlessly kept, and on Sunday and Monday nights there are particularly marvellous sessions of traditional Irish music where the place takes on an atmosphere of its own.

A combination of old world charm, great atmosphere and marvellous music; Recommended;

Kyteler's Inn

Kieran Street Kilkenny City Kilkenny, Ireland Music: Ballads, Traditional Music, Music Played: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during Summer 9.30pm Occasional Impromptu Sessions

Today this establishment is full of character and charm with a comfortable and civilised atmosphere. Plenty of cut stone, sturdy oak beams, stripped timber floors, wooden tables and benches and open fires give it an individual and intimate atmosphere.

Traditional Irish music is a regular feature throughout the summer with occasional impromptu sessions filling out the schedule. Arrive before the sessions begin in order to try some of the good homemade food for which this public house is renowned. The emphasis is on good, fresh ingredients and generous portions. The prices are reasonable with friendly and capable staff.

Andrew Ryan's

3 Friary Street Kilkenny Music: Ballads, Traditional Music, Music Played: Thursday 9.30pm 'til closing time / Live Music at Weekends

Overall this is a friendly and well-run pub, immaculately kept. Genuinely old-fashioned and charming; Well known for its sessions and trad music. Leonard Barry and Tommy Lanigan are among the many fine musicians who play here.

Once you reach this remote picturesque town with its ancient ruins and series of old stone houses, you will not be surprised to find out that this was once a walled medieval city and today still has the most striking group of medieval buildings and the largest monastic enclosures in the whole country. As you enter the centre of the town a stop off at Shirley's Bar is a must. This charming and characterful pub is a lovely place to visit any time of year. The traditional old-fashioned homely lounge and bar exudes a great sense of warmth with its L-shaped bar and low timbered ceiling.

There is also a large games room for pool, darts, cards and watching horse racing. All the locals here are sport enthusiasts and perhaps it stems from the fact that the famous horse Red Rum was born and reared in the area. The proprietor also invites world dart champions Eric Bristoe and Phil Taylor to come and play with the locals. This is very much a mans pub and most of the clients are over 30, and a more warm and friendly bunch of colourful characters you'd find hard to match. Particularly good-value fresh sandwiches, soups and salads are served daily. Wesley Burrows, the creator of the "Riordan's" TV series loved this town so much that he decided to settle in the area and used Shirley's Bar in the television series. A marvellous stop off point.

Traditional music is the focus on the weekends with local musicians playing all year round. This is a genuinely friendly pub and well worth a visit.

Kilkenny to Kinsale

Today’s driving time, excluding stop time will take in excess of 3 hours 30 minutes and it includes visits to Waterford Crystal, Middleton’s Jameson Whiskey factory tour, Cobh Heritage Centre (The Titanic Trail) and Blarney castle before finishing in Kinsale on the south coast of County Cork.

The touring route:

From Kilkenny, travel south on the N10, meeting up with the N9 which will take you into Waterford.

When you reach Waterford, take the N25 in the direction of Cork and you will soon see the Waterford Crystal Factory on your right as you reach the outskirts of Waterford City. Although it seems that every tourist that visits Ireland eventually ends up here at some stage, it really is a worthwhile excursion to tour the factory that creates the world’s most famous cut glass.

Waterford Crystal has a long tradition of extending a warm welcome to tourists from all over the world. Visitors are guided through the actual production areas, where the world famous crystal is made. The tour gives you an opportunity to witness how the crystal is produced, from molten crystal through to finished masterpieces. The Gallery is home to the world’s largest display of Waterford Crystal and in addition, you can see beautiful displays of Wedgwood, Rosenthal, Stuart Crystal, John Rocha at Waterford and Marquis by Waterford.

You will also find a Craft & Jewelery gift store, an elegant restaurant, a Tourist Information Office and a Bureau de Change to help you further plan your holiday. The last tour each day will depart strictly at 4.15pm during the summer opening hours and 3.15 in the winter opening hours. Closed St Patrick's Day.

There is also a fine selection of magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and a remarkable yew walk where Edmund Spenser is said to have written the "Faerie Queen". In 1998 several pieces of contemporary sculpture were installed in the garden. The two gardens are delightfully linked by the staircase to the Riding House built in 1631. Lismore is the Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire.

The Upper and Lower gardens are connected by a staircase in the Riding House. Public disabled lavatories are nearby but not on the premises. The new entrance will give wheelchair access to points of the Upper Garden and to the Gallery only. The gallery has toilet facilities for the disabled. Currently only the lower garden is accessible to wheelchair users unless by prior appointment.