Why Kilkenny?
Ireland’s medieval capital: a castle on the River Nore, a mile of history, the home of hurling — and a city small enough to walk end to end between sessions.
Ireland’s medieval capital
Kilkenny is a small city with a long memory. Built along the River Nore around a Norman castle and a 13th-century cathedral, its “Medieval Mile” of lanes, abbeys and merchant houses is one of the best-preserved in Ireland — and one of the liveliest, with a reputation for pubs, restaurants, craft and festivals that outruns its size. It is the home of hurling, Ireland’s fastest field sport, and the black-and-amber of the county team is everywhere in late summer.
Ninety minutes from Dublin Airport and in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, Kilkenny offers the Roundtable what it needs most: a place where a group of peers can walk, talk and eat together without a shuttle bus in sight.
The Roundtable’s home
Lyrath Estate is a five-star country estate on 170 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland on the eastern edge of Kilkenny, with a 17th-century house at its heart, an award-winning spa, and one of Ireland’s finest convention centres alongside — the Roundtable’s meeting rooms, reception and lunches are all on the estate. The city centre is ten minutes away by car.
Special INMA room rate: to be announced. See Details for booking.
Recommended things to do in Kilkenny
Kilkenny is built for the hours around the programme: a morning outdoors on Tuesday, evenings on the Medieval Mile, and a day either side if you can spare it.
Hurling, the Kilkenny way
Kilkenny is the home of hurling — Ireland’s fastest field sport and the county’s abiding passion. The Roundtable’s Tuesday morning offers a hands-on session; the season’s big matches are played at UPMC Nowlan Park.
Kilkenny Castle and Parklands
A Norman castle on the River Nore, rebuilt as a Victorian stately home, with a rose garden, parkland and the Butler Gallery a short walk from the city centre.
St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower
A 13th-century cathedral at the northern end of the Medieval Mile. Climb the 9th-century round tower for the best view in the city.
The Medieval Mile
The lanes between the castle and the cathedral: the Medieval Mile Museum, Rothe House, Kyteler’s Inn, the Black Abbey and the Tholsel — best explored on foot.
Smithwick’s Experience
The story of Ireland’s oldest ale, brewed in Kilkenny since 1710, told on the site of the original brewery — with a pint at the end.
A round in the county
Mount Juliet, a Jack Nicklaus signature course in Thomastown, is around 25 minutes from Lyrath. Kilkenny Golf Club is on the edge of the city. The Roundtable’s Tuesday morning includes a golf option.
Walks and hikes
The Nore Valley Walk follows the river south from the castle; further afield, Castlecomer Discovery Park and the Blackstairs Mountains. The Tuesday morning hike is guided.
Jerpoint Abbey and Kells Priory
Two of Ireland’s finest medieval monastic sites, both within half an hour of the city, for a longer afternoon out.
Kilkenny Design Centre
Irish craft and design in the castle’s former stables, from ceramics and glass to textiles — the city has been a centre of craft since the 1960s.
Contact INMA
