Thomastown

Thomastown (Irish: Baile Mhic Andáin) is a 13th Century medieval walled town in County Kilkenny. It is on the bank of the river Nore and is famous for Jerpoint Abbey, Kilfane Glen gardens, and Mount Juliet Golf Course. Thomastown lies in a valley. Thomastown is 17km southeast from Kilkenny on the R700. It is the middle town on a series of towns dotted along the River Nore. To the northwest is Bennettsbridge. To the southeast is Inistioge. If driving please note that the centre of Thomastown operates a one way system due to the narrow nature of the streets in its core. The town has grown substantially over the past decade due to its proxminity to Kilkenny and less expensive housing. The town has all the essential services required for tourists. In the last year a new Super Valu and Lidl supermarket opened on the road towards Gowran on the edge of town. The town's best aforementioned attractions lie a couple of kilometres outside the town all in different directions so a car will be required to see them. Be sure to visit the watergarden in the town just off the main street.

• Jerpoint Abbey, +353 56 772-4623. 09:30-17:00 (17:30 Apr-Sept, 16:00 Nov, Dec-Mar by arrangement). Built in the 12th century. It is Ireland's finest Cistercian monastic ruin with a magnificently sculptured cloister arcade. Includes visitor and exhibition centre. €5 adult, €3 child.
• Kilfane Glen and Waterfall, Kilfane (3.2km north of Thomastown on N9, +353 56 774-7105. 11:00-18:00 Jul-Aug. The gardens of Kilfane House were built in the 1790s. They were restored in the 1970s. They are listed as an Irish Heritage garden. There are woodlands, walks and a waterfall over 15 acres. €6.
• Grennan Castle. A 13th century, built by Thomas FitzAnthony, after who Thomastown is named.
• Watergarden, Ladywell Street, +353 56 774690. Peaceful garden hidden in Thomastown with many interesting features – sparkling fountains, water wheel, waterfall, wonderful plants, coffee shop, craft shop and garden centre.

Jerpoint Abbey, +353 56 772-4623. 09:30-17:00 (17:30 Apr-Sept, 16:00 Nov, Dec-Mar by arrangement). Built in the 12th century. It is Ireland's finest Cistercian monastic ruin with a magnificently sculptured cloister arcade. Includes visitor and exhibition centre. €5 adult, €3 child.

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall, Kilfane (3.2km north of Thomastown on N9, +353 56 774-7105. 11:00-18:00 Jul-Aug. The gardens of Kilfane House were built in the 1790s. They were restored in the 1970s. They are listed as an Irish Heritage garden. There are woodlands, walks and a waterfall over 15 acres. €6.

Grennan Castle. A 13th century, built by Thomas FitzAnthony, after who Thomastown is named.

Watergarden, Ladywell Street, +353 56 774690. Peaceful garden hidden in Thomastown with many interesting features – sparkling fountains, water wheel, waterfall, wonderful plants, coffee shop, craft shop and garden centre.

• The Irish Whiskey Event, Stoneyford, Kilkenny. But run in location of choice, +353 86 858-0630. This group whiskey tasting has some excellent reviews. Learn about whiskey and try some rare Irish whiskies.
• Mount Julie, +353 56 777300.

  * Golf. This golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is one of the top golf courses in the country. It often holds international golf tournaments. Green fees €70-150.

  * Horse Riding. 08:00-18:00 Daily. Lessons, treking and cross country over 700 acres.

  * Spa. The perfect place to escape

The Irish Whiskey Event, Stoneyford, Kilkenny. But run in location of choice, +353 86 858-0630. This group whiskey tasting has some excellent reviews. Learn about whiskey and try some rare Irish whiskies.

Mount Julie, +353 56 777300.

* Golf. This golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is one of the top golf courses in the country. It often holds international golf tournaments. Green fees €70-150.

* Horse Riding. 08:00-18:00 Daily. Lessons, treking and cross country over 700 acres.

* Spa. The perfect place to escape

• Tara Antiques, 2 Market St, +353 56 775-4077. Some beautiful old furniture, mirrors and clocks.

Kilkenny is known for its excellent array of high quality arts and crafts. All of the items below are made in Thomastown. In most cases, you can visit the workshops themselves and see how the items are made.

The brand 'Made In Kilkenny' promotes the local craft industry. Look out for it.

• All That Glitters, Newtownbaker, Kells, +353 56 77 30740. Kilkenny is known as the marble city. This designer makes necklaces from local marble and other gems/stones.
• Clay Creations, Low Street, +353 56 772-4977. 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:30 W-Sa. Ceramic studio that makes comtempory, original designs. There is also a gallery.
• Jackie and Ed Keilthy Jewellery, Sugarstown, +353 56 779-3694. By appointment. Have been making individual jewellery for over 17 years.
• Jerpoint Glass Studio and Gallery, Stoneyford, +353 56 772-4350. 10:00-18:00 M-Sa, 12:00-17:00 Su. A family run glass studio production handmade items since 1979.

All That Glitters, Newtownbaker, Kells, +353 56 77 30740. Kilkenny is known as the marble city. This designer makes necklaces from local marble and other gems/stones.

Clay Creations, Low Street, +353 56 772-4977. 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:30 W-Sa. Ceramic studio that makes comtempory, original designs. There is also a gallery.

Jackie and Ed Keilthy Jewellery, Sugarstown, +353 56 779-3694. By appointment. Have been making individual jewellery for over 17 years.

Jerpoint Glass Studio and Gallery, Stoneyford, +353 56 772-4350. 10:00-18:00 M-Sa, 12:00-17:00 Su. A family run glass studio production handmade items since 1979.

Tara Antiques, 2 Market St, +353 56 775-4077. Some beautiful old furniture, mirrors and clocks.

• Sol Bistro, Low Street, +353 56 775-4945. 11:30-21:30 W-Su. good honest local food freshly cooked and tastefully presented at value for money prices.
• Mount Juliet, +353 56 777-3000.
• Kendal's Restaurant. Informal French restaurant in The Hunters Yard.
• Lady Helen Restaurant. Award winning formal restaurant.
• The Long Man of Kilfane, Dublin Rd, +353 56 772-4774. A restaurant running for over 17 years. Serves traditional food, steaks and seafood.
• Watergarden Cafe, Ladywell, +353 56 772-4690. Traditional cafe. Coffee, lunch, organic food.

Sol Bistro, Low Street, +353 56 775-4945. 11:30-21:30 W-Su. good honest local food freshly cooked and tastefully presented at value for money prices.

Mount Juliet, +353 56 777-3000.

Kendal's Restaurant. Informal French restaurant in The Hunters Yard.

Lady Helen Restaurant. Award winning formal restaurant.

The Long Man of Kilfane, Dublin Rd, +353 56 772-4774. A restaurant running for over 17 years. Serves traditional food, steaks and seafood.

Watergarden Cafe, Ladywell, +353 56 772-4690. Traditional cafe. Coffee, lunch, organic food.

• The Bridge Brook Arms. Traditional family run pub. Has live music and poetry readings. Also has internet café.
• Carroll’s Bar, Logan Street, +353 56 772-4273. Over 70 years old, this pub is knows for its traditional old surroundings. Have beer garden, serve lunch, and has live gigs and exhibitions.
• Presidents Bar, +353 56 777-3000. The main bar at Mount Juliet. Also serves light food.
• Murphy's, Low St, +353 56 772-4160.

The Bridge Brook Arms. Traditional family run pub. Has live music and poetry readings. Also has internet café.

Carroll’s Bar, Logan Street, +353 56 772-4273. Over 70 years old, this pub is knows for its traditional old surroundings. Have beer garden, serve lunch, and has live gigs and exhibitions.

Presidents Bar, +353 56 777-3000. The main bar at Mount Juliet. Also serves light food.

Murphy's, Low St, +353 56 772-4160.

• Kilkenny - The capital city of County Kilkenny is an attractive medieval town is 17km from Thomastown. It is home to the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, held annually in early June.
• Inistioge - a beautiful little village on the river Nore. Just above the village, are Woodstock Gardens, which are being restored to period 1840 -1890. Only a few km south of Thomastown.