7th August 2012
In 2009 the medieval city of Kilkenny celebrated 400 years as a city and there’s certainly plenty to see along its narrow streets, with arts and crafts stores, a castle and gardens and restaurants and pubs. Kilkenny also plays host to a number of festivals throughout the year from Rhythm and Roots, Food, Comedy and Theatre and Arts. One upcoming Festival is the Kilkenny Arts Festival, Ireland’s most unique, distinctive and inspiring Arts Festival.
To help you get to Kilkenny, Iarnród Éireann has great family ticket offers to a range of destinations that are available until the end of August. A family of 2 Adults and up to 4 children between 5 and 15yrs old can travel from Dublin to Kilkenny for just €49 return, with fare offers from all over the country. Under 5's travel free on Intercity services.
Day Out Ideas in Kilkenny
Kilkenny Arts Festival 2012 which runs from 10-19 August offers the best in entertainment for all age groups across a hugely diverse range of art forms. It’s a year of firsts this year as Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Co. presents As You Like It and Cork Opera House will bring their magical version of Henry Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas to the Watergate Theatre. Poet Anthony Cronin will also premiere his long poem RMS Titanic, recently set to music by Donal Lunny.
At the core of the festival, like every year since 1974, is a comprehensive, eclectic and exciting series of concert performances bringing the best in classical and contemporary music to the Marble City. Again for the 1st time in Kilkenny, early music specialists La Morra, from Switzerland, bring late 15th and early 16th Century Spanish music to St Canice’s Cathedral for one night only. The enchanting St Canice’s will also be venue for an amazing evening of French Sacred Music with Hervé Niquet conducting Le Concert Spirituel as well as the return of the ever popular Kilkenny Arts Festival Choir & Orchestra
Musical visitors from Africa, Australia, Bulgaria and Austria bring a rich musical flavour to this year’s Festival. Aziz Sahmaoui, Solo Cissokho, Steve Cooney, Archie Bronson Outfit and Matthias Loibner will present a great mix of Gnawa, Kora, rock & roll; Wedding music and the Hurdy Gurdy to various venues around the city. Irish music is well represented with what promises to be a great series of concerts by Kate Ellis, Cian Nugent, Katie Kim, Jape, Mick Flannery, Iarla Ó Lionárd as well as the unique trad/ Jazz and voice collaboration that is DÁN. From the USA, Josh Pearson returns to Kilkenny for an acoustic set with his unique, aching, bittersweet songs while ex Sparklehorse member, Adam Wiltzie, brings his unique post classical A Winged Victory For The Sullen to the Set Theatre.
For Literature fans, John McGahern will be remembered and celebrated by his friend, novelist Colm Tóibín. Poetry is a string element this year with a reading from Paul Durcan and a showcase of the poets published by the Gallery Press. Mike Scott of The Waterboys will be reading from his new memoirs and two History debates on The War of Independence and Home Rule in Kilkenny will keep the history buffs entertained, annoyed and amused in equal measure.
At The Still Point: Irish Women Artists Working in Film is an arresting and beautiful visual art programme exhibiting the work of Cecily Brennan, Aideen Barry, Anita Groener, Jesse Jones, Tracy Hanna and Niamh O’Malley, Deborah Smith, Áine Phillips & Vivienne Dick. The Craft strand of the programme examines the form of the UTENSIL: Current Approaches to Tableware. This will feature innovative tableware which challenge our expectations of domestic products and the rituals of eating.
Family events this year bring music, theatre, writing, puppets and dance together in a wonderful mix with Solo Cissikho, John Boyne, Púca Puppets, Jonathan Nangle, the Junk Ensemble dance workshop
As always, Kilkenny Arts Festival promises a brilliant mix which will appeal to and entertain all ages and interests.
More Day Out Ideas
The magnificent Kilkenny Castle overlooks the River Nore and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, with extensive woodland paths, rose garden and ornamental lake. Two wings of the castle have been restored to their 19th Century splendour and include a library, drawing room and the noted Long Gallery. A suite of former servants rooms now houses the Butler Art Gallery, which mounts frequently changing exhibitions of contemporary art. The Parade Tower is the Castle’s conference venue. Visitors can explore the castle at their leisure and dedicated information officers are available along the route to tell visitors more of the castle's rich history and magnificent rooms and to answer any questions.
Rothe House This historic house in Kilkenny in the South East of Ireland, is the only example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland. Rothe House is the centre for Irish genealogy in Kilkenny city and county, and you can research your Kilkenny family history with us.Built between 1594 and 1610, Rothe House is steeped in rich local and national history and a visit is high on the list of things to do in Kilkenny.
K-bowl Family Entertainment Centre
Experience state of the art bowling lanes and computers. Wait your turn to bowl in comfort on our leather sofas enjoying the atmosphere. All lanes are fully accessible to wheelchair users and are fitted with side bumpers to ensure the best chance of a STRIKE every time!! If you’re looking to entertain the family or a group this season, in sunshine or rain call Kbowl. Before or after bowling, why not experience Kzone, featuring the latest pool tables, air hockey, FX simulator Video Games and Virtual Mini Golf for all the family to enjoy.
The Kilkenny Way - Hurling Experience
Experience the thrill and skill of Hurling. Take a tour around Kilkenny City for the Ultimate Hurling Experience an exciting insight for people looking to learn the basic Skills of the Ancient Game Of Hurling . Tours daily at 12pm and 2.30pm bring you on a walking tour of the Marble city where you will hear about the Ancient Celtic Game which is over 3000 years old and onto O Loughlin Gaels GAA Club where you will experience the basic skills of the Clash Of The Ash.
Kilkenny Cycling Tours offers you the opportunity to explore the very best that medieval Kilkenny City and County has to offer. Experience great Irish hospitality while having an enjoyable easy-paced cycle around the medieval capital of Ireland with photo opportunities and historical information provided at each destination.
Let us know your ideas about where to go and what to do this for these last few weeks of summer.
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