South Kilkenny Craft Villages

South Kilkenny's quiet villages preserve a slower pace of life. This route explores traditional communities where craft workers, food producers, and farmers maintain centuries-old traditions.

Why This Route?

South Kilkenny offers authentic rural Ireland:

• Craft traditions - Pottery, weaving, ironwork
• Food producers - Cheese, cider, trout
• Working farms - Agricultural heritage
• Uncommercialised - Few tourists, genuine welcome
• Beautiful countryside - Rolling hills and river valleys

The Route

Starting from Kilkenny City

Head south through the fertile farmland.

Callan

Kilkenny's second town, with:

• Westgate (medieval town gate)
• Edmund Rice Centre (founder of Christian Brothers)
• Kilbree Craft Complex
• Traditional market town character

Kells (Kilkenny)

Not to be confused with Kells in Meath - this Kells is famous for:

Kells Priory

Ireland's largest medieval monastic site - 5 acres enclosed by walls with towers. Atmospheric and free to access.

Village

Working community with shops and pubs.

Mullinavat

A quiet crossroads village with genuine rural character. The surrounding countryside is beautiful.

Knocktopher

Heritage village with:

• Old schoolhouse
• Traditional shopfronts
• Knocktopher Abbey (ruined)

Ballyhale

Famous for hurling (All-Ireland champions) and agriculture.

Piltown

Gateway to the Suir Valley with views to Waterford.

Carrick-on-Suir

Just over the Tipperary border, but worth the short detour for:

• Ormond Castle (finest Elizabethan manor in Ireland)
• Heritage centre
• River walks

Windgap

A crossroads village in the hills with traditional pubs.

Return via Kilmoganny

Complete the circuit through rolling farmland.

Craft Producers

Jerpoint Glass Studio

Working glass studio near Stoneyford:

• Watch craftspeople at work
• Unique handblown pieces
• Shop and gardens

Cushendale Woollen Mills

Traditional weaving in Graiguenamanagh:

• Working mill tours
• Tweeds and throws
• Natural dyes

Truffle Fairy

Handmade chocolates in Callan:

• Small-batch production
• Local ingredients
• Tasting and shop

Food Producers

Highbank Orchards

Artisan cider and apple products:

• Cider tasting
• Apple syrup
• Orchard walks

Goatsbridge Trout

Fresh and smoked trout from the Nore:

• Farm gate sales
• Smokehouse products

Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese

Award-winning cheese from local milk:

• Farm shop
• Cheese tasting

Rural Heritage

The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association)

South Kilkenny is hurling heartland. The sport has been played here for centuries, and local clubs are community hubs. If you're here on a Sunday, try to catch a match.

Farming Life

This is working agricultural country - dairy, beef, tillage. The landscape reflects centuries of careful husbandry.

Traditional Pubs

Village pubs are social centres where news is shared and traditions maintained. Drop in for a pint and conversation.

Walking

Kells Priory Loop

• Distance: 3km
• Time: 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy
• Highlights: Priory ruins, riverside

South Leinster Way (Sections)

The long-distance path crosses this area - sections are walkable.

Practical Tips

1. Craft studios - Check opening times; some close Mondays
2. Farm shops - May have limited hours
3. Kells Priory - No facilities but always accessible
4. Pubs - May not serve food; ask about local restaurants
5. Sundays - Quieter; some businesses closed
6. Cash - Some small producers don't take cards