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Historical walking tours of Kilkenny with a local expert.

“John is stellar. He is a true local historian and has done his homework. The tour was a perfect introduction to Kilkenny’s history—thorough and very interesting. John is also a lovely person who has a great manner.”

David, March ’23

✅ Local stories told by a guide born and raised in Kilkenny

✅ Great stories told by a qualified tour guide 

✅ Small groups for easier engagement 

✅ English tours, French tours, German tours, private or group tours available.

✅ Great value at €12 per person

✅ Free cancellation up to 1 hour before your tour

Walking Tours of Kilkenny Tripadvisor reviews
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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.

GetYourGuide | Ormonde Language Tours
Hurling Statue Kilkenny - Ormonde Language Tours Kilkenny
John Britton graduation

Reviews

“I would thoroughly recommend going on a walking tour with John. He is a lovely guy and very
knowledgeable. We learned so much from the tour. He also gave us lots of great tips on what to do
during the rest of our trip to Kilkenny.”

– Elizabeth, June 2021.

“Amazing tour with John. His knowledge of and passion for his beautiful city gives this tour the edge over
many city tours we ve been on over the years. We were not rushed and he answered the many
questions we had, it was like taking a trip with a very knowledgeable friend.”

– Catherine and John, June 2021

“This was such an informative and fun tour! Can’t recommend it enough. John has an amazing amount
of knowledge about Kilkenny and presents it in a fun and interesting way.”

– Josh, June 2021

Read more great TripAdvisor reviews here.