Historical walking tours of Kilkenny with a local expert.

Why take my walking tour?

• You will have fun. The story of Kilkenny is told in a fun, and easy to understand way.
• Your guide is certified, insured, a member of the Approved Tourist Guides of Ireland, and a native of Kilkenny.
• At €12 per person, it is the best value tour in Kilkenny.
• Take the hassle out of trying to find your way around.
• I go hail, rain or shine, but you can cancel with a full refund up to one hour beforehand.
• Choice of English, French or German, but each tour is only in one language.
• You will get to see more of Kilkenny, not just the medieval mile.
• 340 million years of history in two hours.
• No spammy emails before or after the tour.
• Secure online booking.

More Than a Mile of must-see sights.

Welcome to the website of Ormonde Language Tours. My name is John, and I look forward to welcoming you to the marble city. The More Than a Mile walking tour of Kilkenny, shows you more of this beautiful city. We walk through the fascinating, and historic area of St. John’s before completing the medieval mile from St. Canice’s cathedral to Kilkenny castle. The tour is led by a guide with a qualification in National Tour Guiding, and who is a member of the Approved Tourist Guides of Ireland. The cost of the tour is €12 per person, and over the course of two hours we will pass by, and talk about the following sites:

1. The Hurling Statue
2. County Hall
3. St. John’s Priory
4. The Butler Gallery
5. Carnegie Library
6. Great War Memorial
7. Green’s Bridge
8. St. Canice’s Place
9. St. Canice’s Cathedral
10. The Black Abbey
11. Rothe House
12. Smithwick’s Brewery
13. Grace’s Castle
14. Confederation Hall
15. Kyteler’s Inn
16. The Butterslip
17. Medieval Mile Museum
18. Shee Alms House
19. Kilkenny Castle

Each tour is limited to 10 people (except private tours), so advanced booking is advised, especially between March, and September. This excellent tour is only €12 per person. I understand that plans can change, and if you book a walking tour of Kilkenny today, you can cancel without fees up to an hour before the start time.

Medieval Kilkenny.

Kilkenny is located a little more than an hour from Dublin in the sunny south-east of Ireland. It takes its name from a 6th century saint called Canice. The Normans established a castle on the banks of the Nore in the twelfth century. The town grew between the cathedral and the castle on what is today known as the medieval mile. In 1207 it was given a town charter.

The castle was bought by the James Butler, the third earl of Ormonde in 1391. The Butler family would remain in Kilkenny for six hundred years. The castle is located on the southern edge of the medieval city, which was surrounded by a wall.

Over the centuries Kilkenny has seen many historic events such as a witch trial, plagues and wars. Today though Kilkenny is a much calmer city and welcomes many tourists every year enticed by its beauty, charm and many festivals.

A certified tour guide.

My name is John Britton, I am the founder of Ormonde Language Tours. I am from Kilkenny city, where I live today. I created Ormonde Language Tours to combine my passions for history and languages.

I have a qualification in National Tour Guiding, and a degree in Language Studies. While I was studying for this degree, I started giving walking tours of Kilkenny in French and German. I am also a graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management with a diploma in International Hotel Management and Business Studies.

I have worked as a tour guide at Jerpoint Park and Kilkenny Castle. I worked in the hotel industry in Ireland, France, Switzerland and England.