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2 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover Kilkenny’s rich history, stunning architecture, and hidden gems on a relaxed, flexible walking tour with John – your knowledgeable, qualified guide. Whether you're a history enthusiast or just looking for a memorable stroll, your tours offer something for everyone.
Born and raised in Gowran in the heart of County Kilkenny, John has spent years immersing himself in Kilkenny’s unique history and culture. John has always been passionate about storytelling and sharing the hidden tales and well-known landmarks that make Kilkenny truly special.
John is happy to offer private or custom tours for groups, families, or individuals. Contact John to find out more!
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
St. Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower
St. Canice's Cathedral, a striking example of 13th-century Gothic architecture, is one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval churches. On a quick visit, you’ll be struck by its grand stone structure, beautiful stained glass windows, and the peaceful atmosphere.
Black Abbey
On a 15-minute visit to the Black Abbey, you'll experience a remarkable blend of medieval architecture and spiritual ambiance. Founded in 1225 by the Dominican Order, this historic church is renowned for its Gothic design and rich history. Hear about the Rosary Window and Marvel at the magnificence of Ireland's largest stained glass window.
Guided Walking Tour with an Experienced, Licenced Guide
Private transportation
We do not include admission fees for any of the attractions on our tour.
33 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Cynthia C,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
Great tour. John was personable and gave us lots of information including local insights. The walk was not far between areas of interest.
Harold S,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
John was a wealth of knowledge and information. He gave us insights that only an experienced local would know. An absolute delight as a guide.
Jamie H,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
John is a wonderful tour guide! Lively and a sense of humor. His passion is history and it shows! We thoroughly enjoyed the city of Kilkenny! He showed us things we would never have otherwise seen. He also made good food recommendations. Highly recommend this tour with John.
174du,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a really interesting, informative, engaging walking tour with John, who is local to Kilkenny, today. He went out of his way to ensure that all the needs of the group were catered for and even found out and sent us additional information on an aspect in which we were interested. We would highly recommend John's knowledgeable tour.
richardnh2018,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We really enjoyed our tour with you yesterday. We found it interesting and informative. The pace was perfect and your knowledge of the town and it's history was just what we were looking for.
NiamhK161,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We throughly enjoyed our visit. John was very interesting and really good to follow up on information. A good time had by all.
Vacationer775223,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
John is wealth of knowledge about Kilkenny! He gave a very informative and enjoyable through tour of Kilkenny. He was very accommodating with the abilities of our group. I would recommend his tour to anyone interested in learning about the history of medieval Kilkenny!
Neil S,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
John is a great host for this leisurely stroll through the streets of Kilkenny. Warm and knowledgable John brought the streets of Kilkenny and the history of this beautiful city to life. Would highly recommend.
John S,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a brilliant time with John. His knowledge of Kilkenny is brilliant. We saw so many of the bits that you never normally see or hear about. Very generous with his time.
Joan C,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
John was very helpful from the start by showing us the best parking spot and how to get to his tour. He was very friendly and knowledgeable, always giving us interesting information about all the historical sights and cultural spots throughout our 2+ hour tour. Fascinating information and valuable insight to places we’d never find on our own.
Operated by Kilkenny Tours