Guide to Southeastern Ireland - Kilkenny & Waterford

Kilkenny is what most people envision a small Irish town to be.  It's very colorful, and full of lots of pubs and shops.  It's also a very easy town to walk, and Kilkenny has several churches that are notable (see below).  If you are only spending a day in Kilkenny, be sure to allow several hours for sightseeing.

Travel tips for Kilkenny

1. For a very good map of Kilkenny, visit the website for the Pembroke Hotel -- http://www.pembrokekilkenny.com/hotel-location

2. The Design Center, across the street from the castle, has a very good cafeteria on the second floor.  They feature salads, sandwiches, hot entrees, vegetables, and a good selection of pies and cakes.

3. A good walking tour is to start at the castle, then to The Tholsel, St. Francis Abbey, St. Canice's Cathedral, The Black Abbey, and St. Mary's Cathedral.  The locations of each of these are shown on the map in #1 above. 

4. If you feel energetic, climb the tower at the St. Canice's Cathedral. 

Travel tips for Waterford

1. Do visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre.  You will be allowed to walk right into the work areas where craftsmen are cutting crystal, and at the end of the group tour you will spend some time with one of the top Waterford masters.

2. Watch what you buy.  We ordered a number of items at the Visitor Centre for souvenirs and gifts, with the assumption that our pieces would be made in the factory at Waterford.  Most were, but we were very surprised to receive vases that are clearly marked, "Made in Hungary." 

3. Items you buy at the Visitor Centre are not actually shipped to you from Ireland.  Waterford has a number of stores in the U.S. and will ship your products from its stock.

 

	Ireland Travel Guides & Travel Tips
	Irish Restaurants
	Ireland Hotels
	Shannon, Limerick & Bunratty
	Western Ireland   - Galway, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, Westport, Knock
	Northwestern Ireland   - Bundoran & Donegal
	Northern Ireland   - Belfast, Derry, Giant's Causeway
	Eastern Ireland   - Dublin, Knowth, Ballyknocken House
	Southeasten Ireland   - Kilkenny, Waterford
	Southern Ireland   - Kerry & Cork Counties