What do you look for when booking a staycation destination in Ireland? You’ll want a balance of the great outdoors, with lots of historic and culturally significant sights to see. You’ll want somewhere you can chill out with a night in the cinema or a place to tear up the town with your pals. You’ll want somewhere with high class and high street shopping and a fabulous selection of pubs, bars and restaurants. Most of all you’ll want a luxurious, affordable, central hotel to rest your head after the exploring is done. You’re in luck! Kilkenny and Pembroke Hotel in the heart of the city have everything you need for a staycation you won’t forget.
Outdoor Activities in Kilkenny
If you come from a city or just love the great outdoors, you’ll seek out somewhere beautiful on your staycation. Outdoor activities in Kilkenny range from a sunny round of golf in one of the local championship courses to adventures in Discovery Park, outside the city in nearby Castlecomer. If you’re travelling with children, take them for a day of cultural experience, training in hurling or camogie with the countries most decorated hurling team The Kilkenny Cats. If you want to keep it local, explore the ground of Kilkenny Castle, a stones throw from our boutique hotel. You can also enjoy many gorgeous walks in and around the city, ideal for families, couples, groups and solo travellers.
Discover Kilkenny Heritage
We are one of the oldest cities in Ireland’s Ancient East and have many culturally and historically significant sites for visitors to explore. A great way to learn more about the history of Kilkenny on your visit is to stop by Kilkenny Castle and its beautiful surrounds. Take some time to visit the magnificent St Candice’s Cathedral and its unique round tower, one of the only towers in Ireland that you can still climb. Explore the cobbled lanes, dotted with historic buildings and drop into the Medieval Museum to learn how our locals used to live. A culturally significant and very tasty stop along the way is the Smithwick’s Experience, giving you a history of the area and a taste of their delicious beer.
Shopping in Kilkenny
If you’re in need of some retail therapy, Kilkenny has you covered. With everything from high street and chain stores to unique boutiques, you’ll find something to suit every taste and budget. We’ve always had a reputation as a market town and although what we sell has changed, the quality remains high. The city is compact and easily walkable meaning you could spend an entire afternoon bagging bargains. We are lucky to be surrounded by great shops like internationally renowned master craft jeweller Rudolf Heltzel, and vintage experts Folkster right here on Patrick Street. Read our blog for a guide to the best shopping in Kilkenny.
Socialising in Kilkenny
One of the highlights of any vacation is discovering new places to eat and drink. After a year of restrictions, we are all overdue a delicious meal cooked by someone else and a few drinks to celebrate everything we have missed with family and friends. Kilkenny is packed with bars, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs each with a very unique Kilkenny welcome. We are lucky to have a popular restaurant on-site in Pembroke Hotel serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and delicious coffee. Statham’s is the jewel in our crown and our talented team work hard to ensure every meal is prepared and delivered perfectly. Statham’s Bar is a great place to relax after a long day of shopping or to catch up with friends over a drink.
Rainy Day
If you find yourself here on a rainy day, and let’s face it – this is Ireland after all, there are lots of indoor activities to enjoy. Take yourselves to the local cinema showing a selection of blockbuster movies and serving delicious cinema snacks like salted popcorn. For an evening of fun, head to KBowl Kilkenny, located in McDonagh Junction Shopping Centre and show off your competitive side. Kilkenny Activity Centre have a great selection of indoor and outdoor activities like Escape Rooms & The Cube and if you want to get messy, an outdoor assault course. It’s already muddy so a little rain won’t hurt!
There is always something going on here in Kilkenny and Pembroke Hotel is right in the heart of this great city. If you want to book a staycation and create memories that will stay with you forever, book your stay in Pembroke Hotel today. We are expecting a busy summer so make sure to book soon to avoid disappointment.