Kilkenny Transportation

Getting There:

By Air:

The easiest way to get to Kilkenny is to fly into the Dublin International Airport ( DUB ) ( +353 01 814 1111/ http://www.dublin-airport.com ). Kilkenny is approximately 73 miles from Dublin. The Airport's compact, two-level terminal is user-friendly and offers tired travelers short jaunts from point to point. Numerous shops, bars and restaurants are strewn across both levels. ATMs and currency exchanges are located on both levels. Airlines include:

Adria Airways ( http://www.adria-airways.com ) Aer Arann ( http://www.aerarann.ie ) Aer Lingus ( http://www.aerlingus.com ) Air Baltic ( http://www.airbaltic.com ) Air Canada ( http://www.aircanada.ca ) Air France ( http://www.airfrance.ie ) Air Wales ( +1800 654 193/ http://www.airwales.co.uk ) Alitalia ( http://www.alitalia.ie ) American Airlines ( http://www.aa.com ) British Airways ( http://www.ba.com ) Continental Airlines ( http://www.continental.com ) Delta Airlines ( http://www.delta.com ) Finnair ( http://www.finnair.com ) Lufthansa ( http://cms.lufthansa.com ) Ryan Air ( http://www.ryanair.com ) SAS ( http://www.scandinavian.net ) Swiss Airlines ( http://www.swiss.com ) US Airways ( http://www.usairways.com )

A multitude of bus companies (both private and public) run more than 700 departures from the airport to points around the country. Coach companies serving the airport include: Bus Eireann ( +353 01 8366111/ http://www.buseireann.ie ) Dublin Airport Busnestor ( +353 091 797484 ) J.J. Kavanagh ( +353 056 31106/ http://www.jjkavanagh.ie ) CityLink ( +353 091 564 100/ http://www.citylink.ie )

A taxi rank is outside the arrivals hall and can provide convenient but expensive service for a trip out to Kilkenny from the Dublin Airport.

Car rental desks are located in the arrivals area on the lover level of the terminal. Onsite car hire companies include: Avis ( +353 01 605 7500/ http://www.avis.com ) Budget ( +353 903 27711/ http://www.budget-ireland.com ) Murray's Europcar ( +353 01 812 0410/ http://www.europcar.ie ) Hertz ( https://www.hertz.com ) National ( +353 01 844 4162 / http://www.nationalcar.com )

By Bus:

Bus Eireann ( +353 056 776 4933/ http://www.buseireann.ie ) takes care of most of the long haul domestic routes, stretching out to the far reaches of the island, and in cooperation with Eurolines ( +353 01 836 6111/ http://www.eurolines.ie ) covers some 450 international destinations. The bus station in Kilkenny is located on Dublin Road right next to the rail station.

By Car:

Access Kilkenny via the N9/N10 from Waterford and Wexford, the N8 and N76 from the southwest (Cork), the N7 and N77 from the west (Limerick) and the N9 and N78 from the north and east (Dublin).

By Rail:

Although limited by its island status, Ireland's Iarnrod Eireann ( Irish Rail ) ( +353 056 772 2024/ http://www.irishrail.ie ) connects Kilkenny with regions throughout the country, including regular service to and from Dublin. The Irish Rail McDonagh Station is located at Dublin Road right next to the bus station.

Getting Around:

The easiest and most convenient way to get around Kilkenny is by foot. Driving is not recommended as the narrow streets often cause slow-moving traffic.

Bus Eireann ( +353 056 776 4933/ http://www.buseireann.ie ) runs more long-distance service, but operates in and around Kilkenny and surrounding areas. However, there is no downtown bus service in the city.

Taxi companies in the Kilkenny area include: Billy Delaney Cabs ( +353 056 776 4933 ) Kilkenny Taxi Service ( +353 056 772 2224 ) Nicky Power Taxi ( +353 056 776 3000 )

Planning a Trip

Getting There

Irish Rail provides daily service from Dublin into the Irish Rail station on Carlow Road, Kilkenny (tel. 056/772-2024; www.irishrail.ie).

Bus Éireann, McDonagh Station, Dublin Road, Kilkenny (tel. 056/776-4933; www.buseireann.ie), operates daily service from Dublin and all parts of Ireland.

Many roads pass through Kilkenny, including the N9/N10 from Waterford and Wexford, the N8 and N76 from Cork and the southwest, the N7 and N77 from Limerick and the west, and the N9 and N78 from Dublin and points north and east.

Visitor Information

For information, maps, and brochures about Kilkenny and the area, contact the Kilkenny Tourist Office, Shee Alms House, Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny (tel. 056/775-1500). It's open May to September Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm; October to April, hours are Monday to Saturday 9:15am to 5pm.

City Layout

The main business district sits on the west bank of the River Nore. High Street runs the length of the city north to south, changing its name to Parliament Street at midpoint. It starts at the Parade, on the south end near Kilkenny Castle, and continues through the city to St. Canice's Cathedral at the northern end. Most of the city's attractions are along this route or on cross streets such as Patrick, Rose Inn, Kieran, and John. The tourist office can supply you with a good street map.

Getting Around

There is no bus service within Kilkenny. Local buses run to nearby towns on a limited basis, departing from the Parade. Check with Bus Éireann (tel. 056/776-4933; www.buseireann.ie).

It's unlikely you will, but if you need a taxi, call Nicky Power Taxi (tel. 056/776-3000), Billy Delaney Cabs (tel. 056/772-2457), or Kilkenny Taxi Service (tel. 056/776-3017).

It's best not to drive once you're in town -- Kilkenny's narrow medieval streets are only really navigable by locals, and you'll almost certainly get stuck. Park at one of the designated parking areas at the Parade, at the rail station, or at one of the shopping centers. Some parking is free, and other spaces have coin-operated machines, usually for €2 per hour. There's also a central multistory car park on Ormonde Street. If you need to rent a car to see the surrounding countryside, call Barry Pender, Dublin Road, Kilkenny (tel. 056/776-5777).

The best way to see Kilkenny City is on foot. Plot your own route or join a guided walking tour .

Fast Facts

If you need a drugstore, try Boots the Chemist, 36 High St. (tel. 056/777-1222); John O'Connell, 4 Rose Inn St. (tel. 056/772-1033); or White's Chemist, 5 High St. (tel. 056/772-1328).

In an emergency, dial tel. 999. The local Garda Station is on Dominic Street (tel. 056/772-2222).

If you need to access the Internet, try the Kilkenny Library at 6 John's Quay (tel. 056/779-4174; kilkennylibrary.kilkenny.ie), open Tuesday to Saturday 10:30am to 1pm, Tuesday to Friday 2 to 5pm, and Tuesday and Wednesday 7 to 9pm. Web-Talk, 24 Rose Inn St. (tel. 056/775-0066), is an Internet cafe with ISDN Internet access; it's open Monday to Saturday 10am to 10pm and Sunday 2 to 8pm, and charges €1.50 every 10 minutes and €6.50 an hour.

For information on upcoming events and festivals, visit www.kilkenny.ie or www.kilkennycityonline.com. When you're in town, check out the weekly Kilkenny People (www.kilkennypeople.ie), which also covers local happenings. The Kilkenny District Post Office, 73 High St. (tel. 056/776-2327), is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm (from 9:30am Tues), and Saturday 9:30am to 1pm.