Kilkenny Castle

Light Up the Castle: _____ Because You’re Free (Kilkenny Arts Festival)
2025-08-13 22:45 - 2025-08-16 22:45 (Europe/Dublin) | Kilkenny Castle Rose Garden
13 – 16 August
10:45pm (20 mins)
Kilkenny Castle Rose Garden
Light Up the Castle, the spectacular audio-visual show projected onto the walls of Kilkenny Castle, has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Kilkenny Arts Festival calendar.
This year’s show, ____ Because You’re Free, is a stunning new projection asking what it means to be human in a world gripped by technological acceleration, ecological crisis and a growing sense of disconnection.
Multidisciplinary artist Laura Sheeran invites us to remember ourselves – not as data points, disembodied minds or productivity machines, but as conscious, feeling, embodied beings. Part invocation, part protest, part balm for the soul, ____ Because You’re Free offers a return to the roots of our shared humanity.
Please note: The installation features strobe lighting. Latecomers will not be admitted. Wheelchair users are advised to contact the Festival Box Office before the show. Gates open at 10.15pm at the Parade entrance

Free Admission for Heritage Week
2025-08-16 09:15 - 16:30 | Kilkenny Castle, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
To celebrate Heritage Week, Kilkenny Castle is offering free admission on Saturday 16th August.
Admission is free but ticketed. Free tickets are now available on our website:
https://kilkenny.admit-one.eu/?p=details&ga=1&dt=20250816…
Free admission is reserved for individuals visitors only and does not apply to tour operators.
Groups must contact bookingkilkennycastle@opw.ie to book a timeslot.
#HeritageIreland #HeritageWeek #OPW #KilkennyCastle #VisitKilkenny

Heritage Week
2025-08-16 09:30 - 17:00 | Kilkenny Castle, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
As part of Heritage Week 2025 OPW-Kilkenny Castle is offering free admission on Saturday 16 August.
Discover the ancestral home of the Butler Family with a free self-guided visit to the magnificent Victorian period rooms of Kilkenny Castle.
Free admission applies to individual visitors only.
Groups of 6 and more must pre-book in advance by contacting bookingskilkennycastle@opw.ie ( normal rates apply)
Guided tours will not be available on the day.
For more information contact kilkennyinfo@opw.ie

Horrid History of Siege Warfare: An event for Children
2025-08-20 11:00 - 14:00 | Kilkenny
Join James Doherty from Kilkenny Castle and learn all about Siege Warfare with a special event for children who want to learn about how castle sieges took place.
Learn about the horrid history of warfare in Kilkenny in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle. Workshop will run from 11am till 2pm just drop by.
Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.

Heritage Week Talk by Commandant (Retired) Larry Scallan: 1st Battalion Kilkenny Brigade 1916-1923
2025-08-20 15:00 - 16:00 | Parade Tower, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
As part of Heritage Week 2025 we are delighted to welcome Commandant (Retired) Larry Scallan to the Parade Tower:
1st Battalion Kilkenny Brigade 1916-1923
(Exploring the foundations and the development of the Order of Battle and Leadership of this active Battalion)
The first recruitment meeting for the Irish Volunteers took place in Kilkenny City in March 1914.
From that time until the start of the Irish Civil War the Kilkenny Brigade would develop to become a Brigade with nine Battalions.
This talk will follow the story of the 1st Battalion, the Kilkenny City Battalion throughout the period.
The event is free of charge. No booking necessary. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis, door open @ 2:30pm

Star of Knockagh Accordion Band
2025-08-24 14:30 - 15:30 | Kilkenny Castle Park, Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
OPW is very pleased to welcome the Star of Knockagh Accordion Band from Co Antrim to Kilkenny Castle Park for what is now the annual visit organised by Railway Preservation Society, with all arriving by steam train into Kilkenny train station. They will march up through the streets for their performance at the Castle Park at 2:30pm.
FREE Event: no tickets required

Kilkenny Motor Club Display
2025-08-30 10:00 - 15:00 | Kilkenny Castle Park, Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
Come along to Kilkenny Castle Park on Saturday 30 August for a pre-show display of vintage and classic cars from 10am to 3pm in advance of Kilkenny Motor Club’s annual show at St. James Park which takes place on Sunday 31 August.

National Services Day 2025
2025-09-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Kilkenny Castle Park, Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
OPW Kilkenny Castle is once again delighted to host National Services Day at the Castle Park on Saturday 6 September 2025.
It kicks off at 12pm approx. and all are welcome to come along!
It is a free fun filled family day out. Be sure to meet the crews and volunteers from all those that provide a frontline service!! There will be lots to see and do. Kilkenny Fire and rescue will be doing another demonstration on cutting a vehicle. As well as many other surprises on the day!!!

Very Pink Run 2025
2025-09-14 12:00 - 14:00 | Kilkenny Castle Park, Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
OPW Kilkenny Castle is once again delighted to host the Very Pink Run at the Castle Park on Sunday 14 September 2025.
The Very Pink Run is a family fun event offering a 10k and 5k distance for people to run, jog, walk or wheel.
It attracts a pink tribe of men, women and children, all showing their support – helping to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Ireland’s ongoing research and awareness efforts and an eagerness to help positively change the landscape of this disease into the future.

Irish Sign Language Interpreted Guided tour
2025-09-14 15:30 - 16:30 | Kilkenny
As part of the OPW programme of Irish Sign Language interpreted tours at Heritage sites around the country, Kilkenny Castle is offering free ISL interpreted tour Sunday 14th September at 3.30pm
One of our experienced guide accompanied by an ISL interpreter will lead you throughout the restored Period Rooms of Kilkenny Castle and will put the spotlight on fascinating characters and hidden gems.
The guided tours give a unique opportunity to learn more about Kilkenny Castle and its Collections.
The tours are free of charge but places are limited so participants are asked to book early by emailing kilkennycastleinfo@opw.ie

Alzheimer / Dementia inclusive Tour
2025-09-16 15:45 - 16:45 | Kilkenny Castle, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
Kilkenny Castle is delighted to offer an Alzheimer / Dementia inclusive tour on Tuesday 16th September at 3.45pm. This free tour is aimed at people living with Alzheimers and Dementia and their families and supporters. This is an opportunity to explore the period rooms and chat about the artworks and history of the Castle in a friendly environment with our trained facilitators Kate and James
This event is free of charge but requires advance booking: contact kilkennycastleinfo@opw.ie to reserve your places

Free admission to Kilkenny Castle for Culture Night
2025-09-19 18:00 - 21:00 | Kilkenny Castle, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
Kilkenny Castle is delighted to take part in Culture Night once more.

To celebrate Culture Night, the period rooms and exhibitions of Kilkenny Castle will be open to the public free of charge from 6pm to 9pm on Friday 19th September 2025

Please note last admission will be 8:30pm.

No advance booking required. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis
#CultureNight #OPW #HeritageIreland #IrelandAncientEast #VisitKilkenny #Kilkenny #KilkennyCastle

Alzheimers Memory Walk 2025
2025-09-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Kilkenny Castle Park, Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
Sunday 21 September is World Alzheimer’s Day. This World Alzheimer’s Day, thousands of feet will hit the ground for one powerful reason — to walk for memories, for awareness, and for a future without dementia.
Join Alzheimer’s Memory Walk supported by Aviva on Sunday, September 21st, as we come together in locations across the country to remember and honour those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia — and the families who stand beside them every step of the way.
We are delighted to host the Kilkenny walk in the Castle Park. It is a 5km route and starts at 11am.

Music in Kilkenny Concert Series : Banbha String Quartet
2025-09-27 19:30 - 21:30 | Parade Tower, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
OPW Kilkenny Castle is delighted to once again host a number of concerts with Music in Kilkenny. The new autumn schedule is available now www.musicinkilkenny.org
The Banbha Quartet was founded in 2020 and is made up of four of our most celebrated musicians who all work with orchestras in Ireland. They return for this, their fifth tour for the National String Quartet Foundation.
Lidia is an award winning Polish violinist with an MA in performance from the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Kilkenny native Maria Ryan was leader of the Southbank Sinfonia in London for many years.
Robin Panter was a member of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra who moved to Ireland to play with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Cellist Peggy Nolan frequently performs with Manchester Collective and the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

John Bradley Memorial Weekend 2025
2025-10-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Parade Tower, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
The annual John Bradley Memorial Weekend will take place on Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November 2025.This year’s theme focuses on William Robertson (1770–1850), Kilkenny’s first architect.The keynote address will be delivered by Mr John Lucey on Friday night at the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle.

Friday: Reception at 6pm, Lecture at 7pm followed by optional supper at the Clubhouse.Saturday: Robertson Walking Tour: meeting at 10:45am on the Parade.

Booking through Kilkenny Archaeological Society as below:Anne – 086 2889016 / Maura – 086 2466594

Cost: €20 / €50 (including supper)

For more info visit https://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/

Music in Kilkenny Concert Series: Vanbrugh & Friends
2025-11-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Parade Tower, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
OPW Kilkenny Castle is delighted to once again host a number of concerts with Music in Kilkenny. The programme is available now at www.musicinkilkenny.org
Keith Pascoe – violin / Marja Gaynor – violin / Simon Aspell – viola / Ed Creedon – viola / Christopher Marwood – cello / Maria O’Connor – cello
PROGRAMME & PERFORMERS

Luigi Boccherini String Quintet in E major G.402
Charles Villiers Stanford String Quintet in F major Op.85
Antonin Dvořák String Sextet in A major Op.48
The very last of well over one hundred string quintets written by the prolific virtuoso cellist Luigi Boccherini, this charming work is characteristically refined and elegant. Dublin born Charles Villiers Stanford was a significant figure in musical life in the late 19th and early 20th century, influential as composer, teacher and conductor. His cheerful and uplifting F major string quintet was recorded by the Vanbrugh Quartet and Garth Knox in 2004 and features a lovely central slow movement inspired by sean-nós singing.
Dvořák’s A major string sextet is truly one of the treasures and great joys of all chamber music. Its gentle optimism offers a precious contrast to the difficulties and complexities of our modern world.

Irish Sign Language Interpreted Guided tour
2025-12-06 15:30 - 16:30 | Kilkenny
As part of the OPW programme of Irish Sign Language interpreted tours at Heritage sites around the country, Kilkenny Castle is offering free ISL interpreted tour Saturday 6th December at 3.30pm
One of our experienced guide accompanied by an ISL interpreter will lead you throughout the restored Period Rooms of Kilkenny Castle and will put the spotlight on fascinating characters and hidden gems.
The guided tours give a unique opportunity to learn more about Kilkenny Castle and its Collections.
The tours are free of charge but places are limited so participants are asked to book early by emailing kilkennycastleinfo@opw.ie

Yulefest Rose Garden Light Up
2025-12-12 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-13 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-19 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-20 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-21 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Kilkenny Castle Rose Garden
We are delighted to have the Rose Garden all sparkly for Christmas
Take pictures with family and friends or simply come on your own for a peaceful moment of reflection in one of Kilkenny’s most enchanting spaces.

Access is free of charge.

It will be open on the following evenings 5pm – 8pm:
• Fri 12th Dec & Sat 13th Dec
• Fri 19th Dec & Sat 20th Dec
• Sun 21st Dec & Mon 22nd Dec

Bach's Christmas Oratorio - Irish Baroque Orchestra & Chorus
2025-12-13 19:30 - 22:00 | Kilkenny Castle, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
This event is sold out.
OPW Kilkenny Castle is pleased to support our cultural partnership with Music in Kilkenny Concert Series once again. The concerts take place in different venues in Kilkenny throughout the season. The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle is delighted to have hosted eight of these in 2025, with the ninth and final one, featuring the amazing Irish Baroque Orchestra, due to place on Saturday 13 December at 7:30pm in the wonderful Picture Gallery of the Castle.
Johann Sebastian Bach Christmas Oratorio BWV 248
First performed for Christmas in 1734, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio comprises six cantatas, each intended for performance on a feast day in the Christmas period. In this performance the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus present all six cantatas, for an immersive and enriching audience experience full of joy and peace.
The Christmas Oratorio performances are part of the IBO’s ambitious new Bach Cycle 2024 – 2026, made possible by the generous philanthropic support of an anonymous donor.

Free admission to Kilkenny Castle
2025-12-14 09:30 - 16:30 | Kilkenny Castle, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
On Sunday 14th December, Kilkenny Castle will be open free of charge to the public from 9.30am to 4.30pm for all to enjoy the magic of the beautiful decorated period rooms.
During the afternoon, while wandering through the castle you can enjoy the wonderful music of the talented pianist, Helen Hughes (from 2:15pm)

No advance booking required. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis
#OPW #HeritageIreland #IrelandAncientEast #VisitKilkenny #Kilkenny #KilkennyCastle #Christmas

Free Admission to Kilkenny Castle
2025-12-21 09:30 - 16:30 | Kilkenny
On Sunday 21st December, Kilkenny Castle will be open free of charge to the public from 9.30am to 4.30pm for all to enjoy the magic of the beautiful decorated period rooms.
During the afternoon, while wandering through the castle you can enjoy the wonderful music of Dynamica Quartet (from 2:15pm)

No advance booking required. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis
#OPW #HeritageIreland #IrelandAncientEast #VisitKilkenny #Kilkenny #KilkennyCastle #Christmas

Alzheimer / Dementia inclusive Tour
2025-12-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Kilkenny Castle, OPW Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
Kilkenny Castle is delighted to offer an Alzheimer / Dementia inclusive tour on Sunday 21st December at 10am. This free tour is aimed at people living with Alzheimers and Dementia and their families and supporters. This is an opportunity to explore the period rooms and chat about the artworks and history of the Castle in a friendly environment with our trained facilitators Kate and James
This event is free of charge but requires advance booking: contact kilkennycastleinfo@opw.ie to reserve your places

Yulefest Fireworks
2025-12-23 18:30 - 19:00 | Kilkenny Castle Park, Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Kilkenny, R95YRK1, Ireland
Begin Christmas with a flourish with the Yulefest Firework Display on Tuesday the 23rd of December. Come together with family and friends and watch as the skies light up over Kilkenny Castle Park. Purchase a ticket to take in the creative display from a prime viewing spot in the Castle Park. Bring a warm coat and hat and feel the Christmas excitement as we light up the Kilkenny sky!

Please note:
Pets are not permitted to attend this event.There will be no toilet facilities at the venue.This is an outdoor event, please dress for the weather.

Location: Kilkenny Castle Park (enter from Castle Road only)
Gates open at 5.45pm. Gates close at 6.25pm.
Show begins at 6.30pm. Show will last approx 10mins.
Tickets: €4 + BF | Family of 5 €18 + BF
