Parkrun
OPW Kilkenny Castle is delighted to welcome Parkrun Ireland Kilkenny a FREE timed weekly 5k run at Kilkenny Castle Park every Saturday morning at 9:30am.
Kilkenny Castle Park 5kms Run Map (PDF)
Please visit http://www.parkrun.ie/kilkenny/ for full details including registration, barcode and course description.
- What is Kilkenny Parkrun? It is a 5km run – it’s you against the clock
- When is it? Every Saturday at 9:30am – start
- Where is it? Kilkenny Castle Park
- Coming along for the first time? Please make sure you have registered, received your barcode and also read the course description
- What does it cost to join in? Nothing – it’s FREE! but please register before your first run. You only have to register once. Don’t forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode. If you forget it you won’t get your time!
- How fast do I have to be? Everyone runs for their own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!
Kilkenny Parkrun needs you! It is entirely organised by volunteers.
Email kilkennyhelpers@parkrun.com to help.
We’re friendly! Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at Kilkenny Castle Tearooms. Please come and join us!
Useful Links
Registration – www.parkrun.ie/register/
Course – www.parkrun.ie/kilkenny/course/
Volunteer – www.parkrun.ie/kilkenny/volunteer/
Orienteering at Kilkenny Castle Park
The permanent orienteering courses were first launched at Kilkenny Castle Park in 2013 and have proved to be very popular with all ages.
These were updated in March 2025 with 2 courses available FREE to download.
- WheelO (Permanent accessible course with all controls close to tracks and can be managed with a wheelchair and/or buggy)
- Short (2.0 km, depending on which order you take them)
The orienteering course is open to all – families, individuals, clubs, schools and what an amazing way to explore the flora and fauna of Kilkenny Castle Park whilst enjoying the exercise in beautiful surroundings.
To tackle your chosen distance:
- Download the map for your chosen distance (as well as the answer sheet for checking at the end)
- Find the controls shown on the map
- Complete the numbered code of the marker post in the corresponding box
- At the end of the Course, check your answers are correct (by referring to the answer sheet)
- Good luck and enjoy!
- To organise a specific event please contact: kilkennycastleevents@opw.ie
For those with more experience and would like more of a challenge, there are 2 MapRun courses which require the use of a phone. They are medium in length and controls must be taken in the correct order.
Your first step is to download MapRun from Playstore or Apple store.
Search the events section on the phone app for Ireland/Kilkenny/Kilkenny City/Kilkenny castle
You will find 2 choices: Medium long (c5km) and Medium short (c3km)
You can either download and print the map beforehand from the app (click on information symbol) or from the Orienteering Ireland website
https://www.orienteering.ie/maprun/
A full explanation of how Maprun works is found on the OI website
Further information on ‘Orienteering in the South East’ please visit on
https://www.sevorienteering.com/ or email southeastvikingorienteering@gmail.com
Please note that Orienteering is an adventure sport that involves crossing rough and uneven terrain, tracks and paths and thus please wear appropriate footwear.
The Office of Public Works and SEVO do not accept responsibility for any injuries
