What it is
The Butlers, Earls and later Dukes of Ormonde, held the castle for almost 600 years before selling it to the people of Kilkenny for £50 in 1967. The rooms include the Long Gallery with its painted roof and family portraits, the library, drawing room and Victorian bedrooms. Three of the four original towers survive.
The park with its lake, rose garden and lawns is free and open daily; the Kilkenny Design Centre in the old stables across the road sells Irish crafts.
Getting there by bus
The castle is at the top of the Parade, at the southern end of the High Street; buses to Kilkenny stop on the Parade and Patrick Street beside the gates (Kilkenny Castle stop), and MacDonagh railway and bus station is a 15-minute walk.
The Medieval Mile — Rothe House, the Black Abbey and St Canice's — runs north from here along Parliament Street.
