St. Patrick's Weekend

camo

Hi

I'm going down to Kilkenny for Paddy's weekend with four other friends from Dublin (early 20s, finished college).

Is there anything special on Paddy's day?

Where would the best places (pubs) to go out at night for a bunch of fellas?

What's the nightclub scene like?

Which places are tourist traps and which are decent places for young people to go to?

Also, what is there to do during the day aside from sitting in a pub? I know about the castle etc...

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

kleefarr

Well...

This year, instead of the usual parade, we're having a street festival!!

Stalls, street theater, etc and FACE PAINTING!!!

camo

Sounds interesting. Do you know where there are details online for this?

This weekend (paddys) is part work / part pleasure so I'm trying to find out the best of what Kilkenny has to offer. I'm a tourist writer you see and am doing a Kilkenny City guide.

I'm trying to come up with a list of Top 10 things to do in Kilkenny City. This is what I have so far, in no particular order.

Apart from old buildings and pubs what else is there to do in Kilkenny City? Are there any family type attractions I should know about, any activity based attractions. Where would you send young people? Are there any decent comedy venues etc... Any suggestions very welcome.


1. Visit Kilkenny Castle

2. Sample beer in St. Francis' Abbey Brewery

3. Go on a pub crawl

4. Go to the Cat Laughs Festival.

5. Go to a traditional music session.

6. Visit Rothe House

7. Drink Smithwicks in the medieval Kytelers Inn.

8. Kilkenny Arts Week

9. Visit the Kilkenny Design Centre.

Stephen

You probably won't be able to get into the brewery at this time of year - they normally only open to the public during the summer months, and even then they just bring you down to the cellar bar, show a video and let you sample some beer.

kleefarr

You can find pretty much everything about Kilkenny at www.kilkennytourism.ie

You can download the 2007 .pdf brochure here.. Kilkenny 2007 Brochure

Hope that helps.

kitty_kilkenny

Can't believe you put the Cat Laughs festival at number 4!!
Has to be the number one reason to visit Kilkenny

I'd add St Canice's Cathedral
The round tower

coffee in the Marble City Tea Rooms
lunch in Chez Pierre
dinner in Zuni
party in Langtons

camo

My list is in no particular order. Anyone have details of the time the Paddys Day festival or carnival or whatever is on?

Nightwish

No carnival or parade, but the festival begins at 2pm I think.

Benny Cake

Great bar called "the worlds end", a real gem.................

Stephen

Camo, for your own safety, I hope you realise the above post is, if not sarcasm, a pack of lies!!

djpaul

D_Red_Army wrote:

Great bar called "the worlds end", a real gem.................

It's not called that for nothing:p

BeatNikDub

Id recommend stay away from John Street and check out all the little pubs in Irish town.

For music and gigs check out kilkennymusic.com!

camo

Point taken. Why should I avoid John Street? Out of interest. Also how do I get to Irish Town, what landmarks are near?

Nightwish

The big round tower (St Canice's Cathedral) is in Irishtown. And avoid John Street at night.

BeatNikDub

Camo - John Street is a bit like O'Connell street really.If youre coming to Kilkenny for a weekend with a bit of a difference and want to get a bit of a country town experience go to the small pubs round Irishtown.
Theres Kytelers and the Playwright in Kieran Street aswell although steer clear of Neros nightclub.

For late drinks go to Anna condas or Morrissons (not the worst and free in)

Depends on what you are looking for though!

kilkennycat2004

St Patrick's night in Ballyhale should be good.
The club play in the All ireland Club Final in Croke Park in the afternoon , stop off in the Dolmen in Carlow on the way back for ameal & onward then to Ballyhale.
Should be a great Patrick's day in Dublin supporting the Shamrocks on this of all days with the same Shamrock being well & truly wetted later on.

brettmirl

John Street's not all that bad. You get trouble all over Kilkenny as you do in any town or village in ireland at "closing time".

John Street just has a higher concentration of pubs, nite clubs and chippers.

I am from John street, have lived there for most of my live so know the goings on much better than most of you...

Yes, it does have its trouble and yes one or two of the establishments do attract a less than attractive clientele or are over run with Dublin Hen Parties sporting bunny ears, but all in all it's not as bad as everyone makes out.

From what people are saying here, John street is made out to be a riot zone at weekends. Trust me, it ain't.

If you go looking for trouble on a saturday night in Ireland, you will find it, regardless of what street you are on.

camo

Just got back. Had a great time. Nice compact city. Visitied seven pubs during the day and night, and saw the other tourist stuff.

It was Paddys day so the places we visited were obviously busier than normal.

Pubs visited were:

Paris Texas - Grand, watched the match nice surroundings.
Kyetelers - Nice environment and good food.
Bollards - Good for family type atmosphere and trad music.
The Pumphouse - Busy young peoples (20s) place. Smoking area upstairs.
ID (formerly the Widows) - Would be helpful if it had a sign. Some nice people there though.
Anna Conda - Nice atmosphere
Matt the Millers - Too packed, mostly unfreiendly staff. Very slow service.

EKRIUQ

camo wrote:

Just got back. Had a great time. Nice compact city. Visitied seven pubs during the day and night, and saw the other tourist stuff.

It was Paddys day so the places we visited were obviously busier than normal.

Pubs visited were:

Paris Texas - Grand, watched the match nice surroundings.
Kyetelers - Nice environment and good food.
Bollards - Good for family type atmosphere and trad music.
The Pumphouse - Busy young peoples (20s) place. Smoking area upstairs.
ID (formerly the Widows) - Would be helpful if it had a sign. Some nice people there though.
Anna Conda - Nice atmosphere
Matt the Millers - Too packed, mostly unfreiendly staff. Very slow service.

I'd say you got it about spot on there and even if you come back there's more good places to go.

camo

BingoBongo wrote:

I'd say you got it about spot on there and even if you come back there's more good places to go.

Thanks. I'll be coming back. Plenty of nice friendly young ladies there as well as nice pubs.