Kilkenny’s Best: 5 Private & Luxury Tour Experiences

If you’re thinking of visiting Kilkenny, that beautiful bit of Ireland practically bursting with history, you might consider skipping the usual tourist routes. Like, ditch the big bus tours, and instead look at something a little more…personal. Something memorable. A few luxurious private tours of Kilkenny offer this sort of elevated experience. So, I’ve put together my top 5 choices for you to check out!

1. The Castle & City Highlights Private Tour

A trip to Kilkenny almost needs a stop at the iconic Kilkenny Castle, it really does. If you want to dig a bit deeper than most visitors, then maybe check out a private tour of the castle and city highlights? Often, these kinds of tours give you that special access and added insights from folks who very much know their stuff about the town.

The beauty of this kind of thing is that, seemingly, you get to set the pace. No jostling with crowds; so too you can ask all the questions you like. Generally, the guides are quite local and know all the funny stories and important details that some people totally miss out on if they are trying to follow a flag in a big group.

The guides can meet you right at your hotel, apparently, and from there they show you the highlights, such as, the medieval streets, St. Canice’s Cathedral, and, obviously, the stunning Kilkenny Castle. Many find this kind of private attention totally makes the whole experience more memorable. Oh, and seemingly, it is all done at your pace.

2. Smithwick’s Experience & Local Brewery Tour

Did you know that Kilkenny has a rather famed brewing heritage? Probably. And many folks find that no visit to this Irish gem is complete unless they take in that brewing history – especially, let me tell you, if you are keen to try some local brews. One experience worth investigating, that, seemingly, has folks talking, is a Smithwick’s Experience combined with a local brewery tour. And, rather fortunately, quite a number of these operate on a private basis for the serious beer fan.

The Smithwick’s Experience kind of brings the story of one of Ireland’s oldest breweries to life, doesn’t it? You might think that it isn’t all just about the beer (though very, very much is), and in fact this also presents some really lovely Irish history. A great many of these brewery tours don’t stop at the Smithwick’s Experience either, as a matter of fact. Quite a few of them take you around some of Kilkenny’s smaller, independent breweries, too. This sort of thing allows you to get a taste, literally, of that contemporary Irish brewing scene, as well as meet some local characters.

What’s neat, seemingly, about taking a private brewery tour is, in some respects, the level of engagement. You get to talk to the brewers, potentially, so too learn about their process, and usually, yes, taste a range of different beers. The whole vibe ends up really quite personalized, apparently, compared to turning up and listening to some guide. It really ends up much more interactive.

3. Countryside & Scenic Drive Private Day Trip

You’ve got to know that Kilkenny isn’t all about the city, it’s almost like a gateway to some utterly breath-taking Irish countryside. Honestly, the rolling hills, pretty villages, and scenic views, well they’re pretty special. Apparently. To see these in comfort, rather consider a private scenic driving tour. These tours mean you can, like, avoid the stress of trying to drive on the left side of the road – as if, particularly on those narrow, winding Irish lanes – yourself, apparently.

One such type of trip usually incorporates places such as, for example, the medieval Jerpoint Abbey (worth checking out), the pretty town of Inistioge, so too maybe some gorgeous spots along the River Nore. Usually, these private tours let you adjust the day to your personal interests, basically. If you fancy stopping to take photos, or just explore a place a little bit longer, apparently you can!

Another potential upside could be your driver-guide will generally be a local with all sorts of knowledge about the area, in fact. This means, very often, you could end up getting the story from the area. It could also mean local insights that you simply won’t read about in some guidebook.

4. Kilkenny Ghost Tour (Private)

Kilkenny has quite a bit of history. And because of its particularly old age, Kilkenny has collected more than its fair share of spooky stories! Should you be a fan of the paranormal, like your tour with an added shiver, well it’s always an option to look at some private Kilkenny ghost tours? Private tours really elevate these experiences to a different level.

This type of tour tends to take you to some of Kilkenny’s spookiest locations after dark. I’m thinking graveyards and old buildings. Guides tell scary stories based in local legend and local history, as a matter of fact. Going on this tour on your own (or at least only with your immediate friends or family) simply amplifies the scariness.

In general, these private tours let you ask questions about all that ghostly business and explore places you would perhaps usually be too scared to venture alone. Plus, in some respects, those experienced guides know just how to build suspense and maybe even convince you there are actually ghosts there!

5. Custom Cultural Heritage Tour

You know what is awesome, I find, when you visit a place that you care about? Basically. Discovering its unique culture? Yes. So, very fortunately, you’re quite spoiled in Kilkenny! It might be really neat to spend a few days digging a little deeper into everything from art and music, to local crafts!

One route you could go down would be a privately guided cultural and historical tour. These kinds of tours could be particularly interesting if, for example, you have quite specific interests. One such thing would be tracing your Irish ancestry, or, oh, understanding some kind of area of Irish history or literature.

Private guides can then adjust those kinds of tours seemingly to focus on just the bits that really interest you, seemingly. They also seemingly tend to be very flexible, as well, offering options to maybe visit local craft workshops, or attend traditional music sessions, oh, or meet some local artists, too. It becomes almost like your own special curriculum, if you ask me, tailored to your exact interests and inclinations!