Hotels Near Kilkenny Castle Park

Not many buildings in Ireland are able to boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Kilkenny Castle. Built in 1195 to control a fording-point of the River Nore, the Castle was home to the Butler Family. Having been found soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle was rebuilt with extensions and adaptations put in place to suit the changing circumstances of it’s ownership over an 800 year period.

Having had decades of the Butler Family moving into the Castle and making it their home, in 1967 it was decided that the Castle would be transferred to the people of Kilkenny. Since then, Kilkenny Castle has been managed by the Office of Public Works with the gardens and adjoining parkland open to the public.

Restoration and maintenance to the castle in the 20th century led to the opening of the Butler Gallery. Situated in the Castle Basement, the Butler Gallery hold exhibitions by the Kilkenny Art Gallery Society in a venue named after Peggy and Hubert Butler.

The Thirteenth Century Castle has become one of the most visited tourist sites in Ireland with hundreds of thousands of visitors coming to view the spectacle every year. Entry to all areas of the castles gardens are free of charge with a tearoom, playground and several orienteering trails for visitors to enjoy.

Looking for a fantastic hotel near Kilkenny Castle Park and in the heart of Kilkenny City? Stay at Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel. Our 118 contemporary guestrooms offer comfortable space for you to relax in after spending time exploring the great city of Kilkenny. Our rooms are generous in size and have a bright and airy feel with all the comforts you’d expect in a contemporary, urban Kilkenny City hotel. Guests also enjoy free access to our hotel’s Leisure Centre which includes a 21m pool, children’s pool, fully equipped gym, sauna and steam room while there is also an opportunity to treat yourself to a pamper day at KO Spa.

See what our guests have to say about visiting Kilkenny Castle Park during their stay at Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel:  

‘Great Stay’

“We had a wonderful stay at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, centrally located, modern, immaculately clean with a great staff.  Hotel bar and restaurant were lovely and they also have a small bar open in the lobby for coffee and light snacks. Seemed like a popular place for locals and residents to congregate. Two minute walk to Kilkenny Castle & park and one minute walk to a great pub called The Field where we had a wonderful night of conversation and terrific music.”

‘Short post-Christmas break’

“We spent 2 nights here to recover at the end of our Christmas break and were delighted with the room, central location and superb service. The staff were extremely obliging and efficient. The hotel is a 2-min walk from the Castle, the Kilkenny Design Shop and the Main Street. All of Kilkenny’s bars and restaurants are a short walk away. Very pleasantly surprised. Would recommend.”