We're going on our first family holiday. Kilkenny in Ireland. What shall we do?

[ShowOfHands]

Generally, holidays aren't something we've ever afforded but this year our dear friends are getting married and dh is a groomsman. We've traded in Tesco vouchers, shopped and shopped around, saved and saved and with a bit of help from MIL and FIL (who are going to come with us!), we're going on holiday for a whole week in August.

It's a flat, snowy March day in Norfolk and I want to start thinking about it. We have a 5yo and an 18mo and while going on a ferry will probably be the highlight, what else should we do while there?

[Mollydoggerson]

You could visit:

Kilkenny Castle
I think the Japanese Gardens are close by.

[NuhichNuhaymuh]

Are you bringing the car on the ferry?

Kilkenny castle's nice. If it's a dry day its lovely grounds and a play ground there.

[3littlewomen]

I live very close to Kilkenny city.....

Kilkenny castle - lovely to visit and grounds gorgeous for kids
Castlecomer adventure park about 20 min drive north
Thomastown and bennettsbridge (home of Nicholas Mosse pottery) lovely
There is a gorgeous Glenn/orne owned by Mosse family on way to Thomastown which has a lovely walk
You are near to Waterford, Griaguenamanagh and Saint Mullins - all worth a visit

[ShowOfHands]

Ooh lots of lovely suggestions, am googling up a storm.

We will have the car, yes. How do you pronounce Griaguenamanagh?

[ShowOfHands]

It looks like our last day and night might end up being in Dublin too.

I can't believe I'm going on a proper holiday!

[ShowOfHands]

Bennettsbridge is v near to where we're staying in Wallslough Village.

[cocolepew]

Bring a raincoat

[ShowOfHands]

I'm English. I've evolved to the point where I grew my own permanently attached raincoat.

[3littlewomen]

Know Wallslough Village - gorgeous place!

If you can in Dunlin , fit in the Viking adventure tour on the amphibious vehicles - great craic and guides!

The garden walk I mentioned is Kilfane Glen and waterfalls - really gorgeous.

Have a fab time!!

[SerendipityAlways]

Agree with all thats been said already - You will have such a lovely time there on your holiday, its a place I know very, very well!! Nice sized town, easy to navigate around, cobbled streets etc, called a city for historical reasons only, very easy to walk around. Kilkenny has lots of medieval historical buildings and the town still retains that lovely charachter.

Lots of nice coffee shops and small boutique shops, you have to visit the Medieval Castle and do the tour, connections to Queen Elizabeth 1 etc, and spend time walking around the beautiful grounds, make sure and find out the duck pond! Your little children will love feeding the ducks and swans! There's also a really wonderful (newish)kiddies playground in the park, ideal for your children! If you like historical buildings, then you should also visit the Church of Ireland St Canices Cathedral and Round Tower, which is a magnificent building dating from the 6th century. Some great night life/pub scene also, but nicer mid week, than at weekends when unfortunately the centre can become a magnet for hen and stag parties, Lots of great places to eat out in also. Langtons Hotel (John St) is a good place to bring a family for lunch/dinner as they do an excellent good quality childrens menu, and you'll get generous portions also! Try and have a pint in Tynans bar which is located beside the river in the city centre across the road from the River Court Hotel, its a lovely traditional Irish pub, and they do traditional irish music sessions also mid week, if that your kind of thing!

Wallslough village itself is only a couple of miles from Kilkenny, its a gorgeous place to stay. Rural and should be quiet, a good place for little ones! You should also visit the craft villlages of Benentsbridge (look out for the "Moth to a Flame" candle shop on the outskirts of the village, on left hand side, lovely place for gifts!) and also the Nicholas Mosse pottery centre plus delicious coffee shop - they have a "seconds" shop there also where you could pick up some beautiful pottery a reduced prices.

Also drive further south to Thomastown and the gorgeous village of Inistioge (pronounced Innis teeg) gorgeous riverside location, stunning scenery, some good local pubs, and if the sun is shining bring a picnic! I do hope you have a great time and if you need any specific information, just PM me and I'd be more than happy to oblige!

[SerendipityAlways]

ps - Graiguenamanagh is pronounced "Graig na mana" (ie "Graig" as in "Craig")!!

[ShowOfHands]

This is all so helpful. Some of these places look amazing. The pottery is beautiful too.

I am a total folkie, love traditional music and history, particular medieval history, is right up my street. DD is also very interested in medieval history atm. DH says he wants to do lots of walking, I am interested in local history and any traditional music we can find is a bonus. I may even bring my fiddle with me. MIL and FIL like eating out, local history, walking and MIL likes shopping too. I can do shopping if it involves gingerbread but beyond that I'm not remotely interested.

I may never come home.

[SerendipityAlways]

Oh you are going to love it then! Theres a really lovely guided historical tour of the city also (tynans walking tours) which I would recommend, great local guide, link attached. www.kilkennytourism.ie/tynans_walking_tours
Plenty of great local history, tales of the burning of witches etc!!!

Kilkenny is also a great shopping town, well I think so anyway! Enjoy every minute of your time away!! if you re looking for a special place to eat out, try Zuni, their early bird menu is excellent value!!www.zuni.ie/ - maybe ask your in laws to baby sit that night and you have an adult treat!

[ShowOfHands]

Have bookmarked the walking tours website. I like the look of the Dublin amphibious tours linked above too but they cost one kidney each.

Oh duck confit with a gingernut crust? That sounds totally unlike anything I would eat

I think maybe we should make mil and fil go there one day as a thank you. They're looking after the dc for a day/night as the wedding we're going to is childfree. I'm sort of ignoring that aspect as I've never left ds before and rarely leave dd. I suppose they could take the dc to do lots of v exciting things that day to distract them.

The actual wedding is a drive away at somewhere called Durrow Castle?

[SerendipityAlways]

Oh thats very posh!! You will have a wonderful time at the wedding also!! Its about a 30-40 minute drive from wallslough village

[ShowOfHands]

I know, we'll stand out like a sore thumb. The groom is dh's best friend from school. It's a whole big hoopla. The day before dh will be busy all day doing 'groomsman stuff' (no idea), the wedding is a whole day affair and then the following day there's a party/bbq for everybody including dc. Then we're tourists for a week. I am so ridiculously excited.

[fedupwithdeployment]

Are you self catering? You will find Ireland expensive. Everyone blames the Euro, but it is a lot more expensive than France / Spain etc, especially for eating out and for booze. If s/c I would take some wine in the car with you along with the brollies!

Enjoy - nothing better than an Irish wedding (perhaps some paracetamol too!)

[ShowOfHands]

[teetotal]

Good tip about things being expensive though. I don't go to France/Spain (don't have a passport) so have no comparison but I do shop at Aldi for about £100pcm so am used to things being cheap. We are s/c.

[SerendipityAlways]

There are 2 Aldis and 2 Lidls in Kilkenny, so you will have no problem if s/catering. There is an Aldi and a Lidl located on the same side of town as you are staying also, just a 5 minute drive from Wallslough - food prices have also come down a lot in Ireland recently as a result of the recession.....

[renaldo]

watch Maeve binchys 'circle of friends' it was filmed in county kilkenney