20 Attractions to Explore Near Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum

Grennan castle was built in the 13th century by the Anglo-Norman, Thomas FitzAnthony. The twenty metre long rectangular castle stands on the west bank of the River Nore. The ruin was in relatively good condition up until the early 19th century, since then the courtyard walls and outer buildings have been destroyed. The first floor of the castle contained the great hall, and the second floor reached by a flight of steps in the east wall contained the dormitory area.

Brandon Hill is Kilkenny’s highest point. It is 515 meters high and has an ascent of 300 meters. It is situated 4 kilometers South-SouthWest of Graiguenamanagh and 7 kilometers east of Inistioge. Its beautiful walk includes country roads, forest tracks and hillside paths as it winds its way to the top of Brandon Hill.

Jerpoint Abbey is one of the best examples of a medieval Cistercian Abbey in Ireland, which was founded in the 12th century. The architectural styles within the church, constructed in the late twelfth century, reflect the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture. There is a Visitor Centre with an exhibition. It has been declared a national monument and has been in the care of the Office of Public Works since 1880.

Visit the unique Heritage Site in Jerpoint Park and enjoy a guided tour of the footprints of a deserted 12th Century Medieval town dating back to 1200AD. One of Ireland's best examples of a deserted 12th Century medieval town', a quote from The Heritage Council of Ireland. It was founded by either Earl Marshall or Griffin Fitzwilliam in 12th century, just west of the Cistercian Abbey, where the main crossing of the River Nore was formed by a tole paying bridge.

A beautiful example of a romantic era garden dating from the 1790s. Untouched for 200 years, it is a picturesque paradise with a waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage orné. Tiny bridges sit among ancient trees, wild fox-gloves, ferns and other historically correct 18th century planting.The garden is listed as an Irish Heritage garden and was awarded assistance in 1993 by the European Union Cultural Commission.

Tinnahinch Castle is a ruins in Kilkenny. It is situated northeast of Ballynakill, close to Duiske Abbey. It has a rectangular structure with a stair tower at the southwest angle, a machicolation between the angles of the two towers protecting the doorway, and a bartizan on the north east angle. All of the windows in the north wall have been stolen.

Woodville House is a fine five bay, two storey over basement Georgian house dating from about 1800 situated above the river Barrow. The property was acquired by P J Roche, great grandfather of the present owner in 1876 and is now occupied by the 5th generation of Roches to live there.

The Ros Tapestry Project is a major community arts and history project centered on the town of Wexford, Ireland. The project is dedicated to producing a tapestry in fifteen panels which tells the story of the coming of the Normans to Ireland in the 12th century and the foundation of the port and town of New Ross at the beginning of the 13th century. Each tapestry panel is approximately four and a half feet deep (1.5m) by six feet (1.8m) wide and tells of a unique aspect of the epic story.

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge over the river Barrow which opened last year has won the IABSE Outstanding Structure Award. It is one of the highest distinctions awarded by IABSE and recognises, in different regions of the world, some of the most remarkable, innovative, creative, or otherwise stimulating structures. Sustainability and respect of the environment is also an important factor.

Tory Hill rising to a height of 292 metres above sea level, is said to have derived its name from an outlaw named Edmund Den, who flourished in this locality around the year 1700. There is a pattern held each year on Tory Hill on the second Sunday of July. This is locally called 'Tory Hill Sunday' and 'Frocchans Sunday'. It never was a religious celebration, but merely consisted of the people of the neighbourhood gathering to pick the wild berries called 'Frocchans'.

The Kennedy Homestead, birthplace of President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy, celebrates the story of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty which is still farmed by his descendants. Visit our state of the art interpretative exhibit which explores the circumstances of Patrick Kennedy’s departure from Ireland in 1848 and pieces together the story of the most famous Irish-American family through the 20th century to the present day.

A beautiful waterfall situated south of Ballyknockbeg, northeast of Carrigatubbrid Wood. . The fall stands on the Pollanassa River - the name of the fall comes from Poll an Easa, meaning the 'pool of the waterfall' or 'bathing place'. It is popular with locals and visitors.

This Augustinian priory is situated on the bank of the King’s river, 0.5km to the east of the present village of Kells and 12km south of Kilkenny city. The priory was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the canons were granted a site near a pre-Norman ecclesiastical site dedicated to St Kieran. The priory is a National Monument and is in the guardianship of the Office of Public Works. One of its most striking features is a collection of medieval tower houses.

Leac an Scail, is one of the tallest and most spectacular examples of a portal dolmen in Ireland, it is located near Knocktopher in County Kilkenny. It has been constructed using a large capstone resting on two large portal stones and a pillow stone resting on a backstone. It is now a visitor attraction and there are so many tourists arriving day by day.

Mullins Mill is a home of unique character nestled on eight acres of landscaped grounds. The main house is constructed around a 17th century sugar mill offering privacy in the two adjoining guest cottages. The main house is constructed around a 17th century sugar mill offering privacy in the two adjoining guest cottages. A cosy gazebo on the ridge side has sweeping views of the Barbados coastline, and the property has a ridge side infinity swimming pool.

This church is a wonderful building, which was built in the late thirteenth century as a collegiate church and was served by a college - clerics who lived in a community but did not submit to the rule of a monastery. This rectangular church has undergone many changes over the years. The original chancel was removed and replaced by a 19th century Parish Church, the superb central tower was vastly modified in the 14th or 15th century and the crenellations were added to the church.

Blackstairs Mountain is a prominent hill on the main ridgeline separating Carlow from Wexford. The hill’s prominence means views are good in all directions, mostly over flatlands, but dominated by the mast-arrayed peak of Mount Leinster to the north. It is the second-highest mountain in the Blackstairs Mountains.The mountain stretches from Rathgeran to Gowlin at Cathaoirs Den

The John F. Kennedy Arboretum on the Hook Head Peninsula at New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, is a park under public administration. It covers a massive 252 hectares on the summit and southern slopes of Slieve Coillte and contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world. There are 200 forest plots grouped by continent.

This National Monument, is a well-preserved 15th century Norman tower house with a round gate tower, situated in the parish of Burnchurch, County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is said to have been built and owned by the Fitzgeralds of the house of Desmond in 15th century and continued to be occupied until 1817.It is known for being one of several Irish towers with the slightly narrower sides of the castle extending up an additional floor, creating in essence a pair of tower wide turrets.

The Nore Valley Way is a long-distance trail under development in County Kilkenny. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by Trail Kilkenny. Two stages are open at present: the first from Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge and the second from Thomastown to Inistioge.