# One night in Kilkenny via Glendalough, two hours from Dublin Glendalough in the morning, the Wicklow Gap pass and a night in Kilkenny with music; the next day the castle, the Medieval Mile and back by train or car. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/ireland/kilkenny/itineraries/one-night-via-glendalough · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Dónde: Kilkenny Glendalough and Kilkenny are the two classic excursions south of Dublin, and they fit one after the other: the monastery valley in the Wicklow Mountains and, on the other side of the Wicklow Gap pass, the medieval city. With a night in between you rush neither, and you get traditional music in a 1324 inn. ## Where to stay Butler House, with a garden leading to the castle courtyard and a room that accepts dogs. Kilkenny River Court, with free parking, if you are driving. Pembroke Kilkenny, on Patrick Street. ## Where to eat Casey's Bar in Glendalough, kitchen until 20:30. Kyteler's Inn for dinner with music. On Sunday, Rinuccini, opposite the castle, serves from 12:30 to 20:30. ## El plan ### Saturday · 09:00 · Leave Dublin for Glendalough A little over an hour via the N11 and Laragh. Arrive before 10:30 to park. ### Saturday · 10:30 · Monastic city and Upper Lake The round tower and St Kevin's Cross, and the Green Road to the Upper Lake. ### Saturday · 13:30 · Lunch at Casey's The Glendalough Hotel bar, at the entrance to the ruins. ### Saturday · 15:00 · Wicklow Gap and the road to Kilkenny The mountain pass across the bogs and then the motorway to Kilkenny. ### Saturday · 18:30 · Music at Kyteler's Inn Dinner and the 18:30 music session, Friday to Sunday in high season. ### Sunday · 09:30 · Kilkenny Castle The Butlers' rooms; leave through the courtyard to the park. ### Sunday · 11:30 · Medieval Mile Museum Open on Sunday; with an audio guide, or the 11:00 guided walk. ### Sunday · 14:00 · St Canice's and back The cathedral opens on Sunday afternoons from May to September; from October to April, it is closed. Back to Dublin in under two hours. ## Un consejo más Without a car: the Wild Rover Tours trip (€43) does Glendalough and Kilkenny in a day. To sleep in Kilkenny without a car, go by train from Heuston and leave Glendalough for another day on the St Kevin's bus. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take from Glendalough to Kilkenny? A good hour and a half by car over the Wicklow Gap, estimated. ### What is open on Sunday in Kilkenny? The castle, the park and the Medieval Mile Museum; the cathedral only from May to September in the afternoon. ### How much does it cost? With a hire car, a night at Butler House or the River Court, tickets and meals, about €160–260 per person. ## Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Pembroke Kilkenny**: In the centre, next to the castle The Pembroke is a four-star hotel on Patrick Street, two minutes' walk from the castle gate and at the start of the Medieval Mile. It has 84 rooms and suites, and is a good base if you arrive by train: the station is about fifteen minutes' walk away. Eating and drinking Its bar-restaurant, Stathams, with chef Ken Harker, serves from midday to night and organises special dinners, the Stathams Supper Club. Who it is for For anyone who wants everything within walking distance, without a car. If you are travelling with a pet, the website says the concierge helps arrange it: ask about the conditions before booking. - **Butler House**: A Georgian house next to the castle Butler House is a Georgian house turned into a charming place to stay on Patrick Street. What makes it special is its walled garden, with its own gate opening onto the castle courtyard: you go out in the morning between flowerbeds and find yourself at the castle without setting foot in the street. The rooms It has doubles of various sizes, junior suites, a named suite (the Lady Eleanor), a family room and a dog-friendly room, a rarity in the centre. It belongs to Ireland's Blue Book, the association of charming country houses and hotels in Ireland. How to get there It is two minutes from the castle and about fifteen minutes' walk from the train station. Ask about parking when you book if you are coming by car. - **Kilkenny River Court Hotel**: On the river, opposite the castle The River Court is next to John Street bridge, on the bank of the Nore, and its Deluxe rooms look across the water to the castle. It is the most practical option if you arrive by car: it has free parking for guests, something that is scarce in the centre. From the train station it is about ten minutes' walk. Rooms and food Classic, executive and deluxe rooms with views, suites and family rooms. You eat in the Riverside restaurant, have a drink in the Riverview bar or on the terrace by the river, and there is afternoon tea. ## Dónde dormir without a car - **Pembroke Kilkenny**: In the centre, next to the castle The Pembroke is a four-star hotel on Patrick Street, two minutes' walk from the castle gate and at the start of the Medieval Mile. It has 84 rooms and suites, and is a good base if you arrive by train: the station is about fifteen minutes' walk away. Eating and drinking Its bar-restaurant, Stathams, with chef Ken Harker, serves from midday to night and organises special dinners, the Stathams Supper Club. Who it is for For anyone who wants everything within walking distance, without a car. If you are travelling with a pet, the website says the concierge helps arrange it: ask about the conditions before booking. - **Butler House**: A Georgian house next to the castle Butler House is a Georgian house turned into a charming place to stay on Patrick Street. What makes it special is its walled garden, with its own gate opening onto the castle courtyard: you go out in the morning between flowerbeds and find yourself at the castle without setting foot in the street. The rooms It has doubles of various sizes, junior suites, a named suite (the Lady Eleanor), a family room and a dog-friendly room, a rarity in the centre. It belongs to Ireland's Blue Book, the association of charming country houses and hotels in Ireland. How to get there It is two minutes from the castle and about fifteen minutes' walk from the train station. Ask about parking when you book if you are coming by car. - **Kilkenny River Court Hotel**: On the river, opposite the castle The River Court is next to John Street bridge, on the bank of the Nore, and its Deluxe rooms look across the water to the castle. It is the most practical option if you arrive by car: it has free parking for guests, something that is scarce in the centre. From the train station it is about ten minutes' walk. Rooms and food Classic, executive and deluxe rooms with views, suites and family rooms. You eat in the Riverside restaurant, have a drink in the Riverview bar or on the terrace by the river, and there is afternoon tea.