Dog-Friendly Kilkenny: The Complete County Guide
Forests, rivers, mountains, swimming spots, places to stay, and dog services. One page. Everything a dog owner needs in Kilkenny.
Kilkenny is three rivers, fifteen forests, fifty villages, and one of the best counties in Ireland for walking with your dog. This guide covers all of it.
The Nore, the Barrow, and the Suir wrap around this county like three arms. Between them you’ll find Coillte recreation forests with waymarked trails, hidden tributaries where nobody else walks, hill summits with views across eight counties, and villages so quiet your dog’s bark is the loudest sound for miles. We’ve mapped the lot. The famous spots and the ones only the locals know.
Every location has been checked for dog access, parking, terrain, and water. Where there’s a swimming spot for your dog, we’ve marked it. Where there’s a lead requirement, we’ve noted it. Where you can park overnight in a car or van and walk at dawn, we’ve listed it. This is the guide we wished existed when we started walking Willow and Bella.
The Map
Every location in this guide is pinned below. Tap any marker for the name, type, and quick details. Green markers are forests, blue are river walks, red are hills and mountains, orange are community walks, and purple are swimming spots.
The Nore Valley Walk
The flagship trail. 34km following the River Nore from Kilkenny City to Inistioge in three stages. This is to Kilkenny what the Barrow Way is to Carlow. The middle section (Bennettsbridge to Thomastown) is still not fully completed, so you’re working with two walkable stages and a gap that requires road walking.
Starts on the Lacken Walk, a raised wooden boardwalk along the Nore. Passes under the N10 into deciduous forest, through farmland with a wide variety of stiles, past Inch Sawmills with huge stacks of hardwoods, to the craft village of Bennettsbridge. Waymarked throughout. Can be wet and boggy after rain, so bring boots not runners.
The gap. This middle section has been incomplete for years. The route passes through Mount Juliet Estate lands (500 acres of parkland, oak woodland, river frontage), and the trail is not fully waymarked. Road walking is needed. Doable but not recommended for a casual walk, especially with dogs on busy roads.
Starts at Thomastown GAA pitch. Follows the riverbank for 2km into Dysart Forest, then some road walking (3km, but quiet roads), through Brownsbarn Wood (broadleaf forest on the Nore banks with walkways and a bench), and along the final stretch into Inistioge, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages. Green arrow waymarked.
Forest Walks
Kilkenny has three Coillte recreation forests with waymarked trails, free parking, and proper facilities. Beyond those, there are woodlands and estate forests scattered across the county that most visitors never find.
Historic estate grounds with mixed woodland of beech, ash, oak, and spruce. The Walled Garden Loop enters and exits through “doors in the walls” and passes St. Colman’s Well. The Jenkinstown Loop takes in viewing points of the countryside. Deer in the woods. Thomas Moore, the poet, wrote some of his most famous works while living here.
The closest Coillte forest to Kilkenny City. Native broadleaf planting with millennium forest section. Two accessible loops. The Green Walk is a short stroll, the Red Walk loops around the wider forest. Quiet even at weekends.
The old name “Diore Lia” means “great wood” and it lives up to it. Former estate of the Morres and De Montmorency families. Coniferous woodland mixed with oak, beech, birch, larch, and ash. Three colour-coded loops of increasing length. Starts at the Grand Gates. The most popular forest for cycling as well as walking.
Formal gardens, arboretum, and woodland being restored to their 1800s condition by the Tighe family. Spectacular redwoods and exotic species. Multiple looped walks through formal avenues, secret woodland, a terraced flower garden, yew walk, rose garden, and walled garden. Overlooks the Nore Valley. Worth the €4.
More Forests
Ballykeeffe Woods (Kilmanagh). Oak woods and nature reserve. Also used as an outdoor amphitheatre for summer concerts. Various walks through native woodland.
Castlecomer Discovery Park (Castlecomer). 80 acres of woodland and lakes with themed walking trails and sculptures. Also an adventure park (zip wires, high ropes, tree top walk). Get there early for the quiet woodland trails before the adventure park opens.
Silaire Wood (near Graiguenamanagh). Features a boardwalk along the river. Connected to the Barrow Way. Beautiful and quiet.
Mountain Grove Woods (Piltown, south Kilkenny). Mixed woodland loop between undulating hills near the Comeragh foothills.
Clonassy Wood (near Goresbridge). Quiet woodland. Almost never mentioned anywhere.
River Walks the Locals Know
Everyone writes about the Nore Valley Walk. Nobody writes about the King’s River at Kells Priory or the Nuenna at Freshford. These are the walks the locals do. The ones you’ll have to yourself.
Kells Priory is one of the most impressive medieval ruins in Ireland. Massive walls, towers, and courtyards sitting right on the King’s River. Almost deserted most of the time. Walk the river banks alongside 12th-century walls while your dog splashes in the shallow water. This is pure TTT territory. Nobody else is writing this up as a dog walk.
The Nuenna flows through this heritage village and the Freshford Loop follows parts of the river corridor. Quiet, pretty, and almost never mentioned on any walking site. Your dog can wade at several points along the route.
One of the most hidden walks in the county. 6.5km loop from the town centre passing along the River Goul, a restored quadrangular church, and a 15th-century castle built by Celtic chieftains. Through forest with wildflowers in summer. The kind of walk you’d never find without local knowledge.
More hidden river walks: Ballyragget riverside on the Nore (Norman motte, castle ruins, quiet banks), King’s River at Callan (through town, abbey ruins), Little Arrigle near Thomastown (confluence with the Nore near Jerpoint Abbey), River Dinan/Dinin through north Kilkenny (fishing river, no formal trails but walkable banks), Coolcullen River (deep countryside, virtually unknown), and the Glory River near Kells.
Hills and Mountains
The big one. Mixed woodland on the lower slopes gives way to open hillside. Rocky terrain on the descent. Panoramic views from the summit across to Hook Head, the Comeraghs, and the Blackstairs Mountains with Mount Leinster. Download offline maps before you go as signposting is patchy.
Two loop options, both with 360-degree views across four counties. Gravel track available for when the mountainous terrain gets rough. Wildflowers in spring and summer. Completable in about 2 hours. One of Visit Kilkenny’s own “off the grid” recommendations.
More hill walks: Kilmacoliver Loop (starts at Tullahought Watering Place, stunning views), Castlecomer Loop (through the Discovery Park woodland area).
Community and Village Walks
Short loops maintained by local communities. The walks the locals do on a Tuesday morning that never make it onto any tourist website.
Waymarked. Passes Grennan Castle on the Nore. Combine with a swim at the weir pool and coffee in the village.
~4km. Country roads, old laneways, woodland track, and riverbank. Starts at the primary school.
Village walk. Malzard’s Pub has log cabins, camping, and live music. Walk, swim, eat, sleep. All in one village.
Deep rural. Near the Barrow valley. So small it barely appears on most maps. Total solitude with your dog.
Two loops from one village in south-west Kilkenny. Near Slievenamon. Rural and quiet.
Near Urlingford. Short walk through the hinterland. Quiet roads and countryside.
Near Bennettsbridge. Listed trail. Quiet lanes and farmland.
Quick Walks: 10 to 30 Minutes
For the mornings when you just need to burn off some energy before getting in the car, or the evenings when the light is going and you want a quick loop.
Kilkenny City. Riverside boardwalk along the Nore. Flat, accessible. 15-20 minutes there and back. Right in the city.
Kilkenny City. Tree-lined avenues through Castle grounds. 10-15 minutes. Links to Lacken Walk.
Kilkenny City. 10km network but you can do any length. Footpaths and cycle lanes along the river.
5km from city. Kilkenny’s first dedicated dog park. Let them off, tire them out, done.
2.2km. 30 minutes. Accessible forest path near the city. Quick and quiet.
Dog Swimming Spots
Kilkenny is landlocked, so it’s all rivers. The good news: the Nore, Barrow, and their tributaries have some beautiful spots where your dog can get in safely.
Thomastown Weir Pool (Nore). Created by the community river trust. Shallow, calm, stone steps for access, grassy banks. Dogs can access upstream and downstream of the main pool. The best overall.
Inistioge (Nore). Below the ten-arch bridge. Shallow, clear. Walk upstream or downstream from the bridge for quieter access away from swimmers.
King’s River at Kells Priory. The hidden gem. Shallow, calm, with a medieval priory as the backdrop. Almost always deserted. Best dog swim in the county.
Clashganny Lock (Barrow). Two swimming areas, multiple access points. Specifically recommended for dogs. Best on the Barrow.
Graiguenamanagh (Barrow). Wide and gentle. Multiple access points along the towpath banks.
Poulanassy Waterfall (near Mullinavat). Pool below the falls in enchanting woodland. Rougher access but worth it.
Tullahought Watering Place. Spring-fed wildlife lakes. Total solitude. 1km from the village.
Bleach Weir / Bishops Meadows (Kilkenny City). Shallow edges work for dogs. Check water quality notices. E. coli issues in recent years.
Where to Stay with Your Dog
Only the places that actually welcome dogs. Confirmed policies where possible.
Five traditional Irish cottages with everything you need. House-trained dogs welcome in the cottage with you, no extra charge, any size. Eco-friendly. Guests say: “So often dog-friendly accommodation is very basic, but we found everything to be of the highest standard.” Dogs must be kept on lead on the grounds (farm animals). The gold standard.
More Dog-Friendly Stays
Glamping at Treegrove. Dogs of any size, no extra fee.
Hill View Lodge (south Kilkenny). Glamping pod with hot tub, fire pit, pizza oven. Pet-friendly.
Malzard’s Pub Cabins + Camping (Stoneyford). Log cabins and camping pitches. Dog-friendly. Pub on site.
Nore Valley Park (Bennettsbridge). Campsite. Pets in campground only (not rental accommodation). Supervised by adult.
Killure Lodge (Goresbridge). Lodge and barn. Near the Barrow. Pet-friendly.
Wren’s Nest (Borris area). Off-grid retreat in a wild garden. Dog-friendly.
Riverside Mill Farm (Clashganny). Overlooks the river. Wild swimming 10 steps away.
Preston House (Kilkenny City). B&B. Dogs in designated rooms. €25/pet/night. Bowls provided.
Butler House (Kilkenny City). Garden room “The Botanical.” New June 2025. Premium city option.
Airbnb: Search “Kilkenny pet-friendly.” Filter by “pets allowed.” Read house rules carefully.
Car and Van Overnight Spots
The spots nobody else writes about. Arrive late, leave early. Leave no trace. Keep the dog quiet. Respect signage.
Formal campsite. Bennettsbridge. Only official option. Facilities on site.
Camping pitches. Buy a meal, park up. Live music. Near Nore Valley walks.
Remote trailhead. Quiet at night. Summit at sunrise. Bring warm layers.
Grand Gates. Secluded forest. Walk at dawn before anyone else arrives.
Forest park. Deer at dawn. Two loops from the car park.
Near the ten-arch bridge. Prettiest overnight in the county.
Near Duiske Abbey. Barrow Way access. Quiet abbey town.
Small village. King’s River. Wake up next to 12th-century ruins. Nobody else here.
Near the Nore. Start point for Nore Valley Walk to Inistioge.
Tiny village. Barrow valley. Total solitude. Your dog and the stars.
Go in, buy a meal, ask politely. Rarely refused. Try Goresbridge, Inistioge, Windgap, The Rower, Tullahought.
Apps to download: Park4Night (free, community-reported spots) and Safe Nights Ireland (€15/year, 350+ locations across Ireland).
Doggy Day Care and Services
Coco’s Kennels (Villa Maria, Danville, Kilkenny). Premier facility. Jenny and David Nolan. Purpose-built, heated kennels, all-weather play area, indoor lounge. Day care €20/dog. Overnight €25/dog. Reviews: “Our dog jumps around when he hears the word kennel.” The best in the county.
Oakland Boarding Kennels (Dunningstown, R95 WD34). Day care and boarding. Tel: 087 615 3236.
Woofys/Snuggles. 15 acres, heated/air-conditioned kennels, 24/7 music, morning/afternoon/evening walks, games, jump tunnels, qualified canine responders, vet on call.
Hillview Boarding Kennels (Castlewarren). Day and overnight.
Stoneyford Boarding Kennels & Cattery (Ballycaum).
Pet Sitters Ireland. Covers all of Kilkenny. Home-based. Freephone: 1800 303010.
Pawshake / Gudog / PetBacker / Rover. Platform sitters from ~€15-25/day. Insurance included. Photo updates.
TrustedHousesitters. 15 sitters near Kilkenny. Sitter stays in your home. Annual membership, no per-night fees.
Grooming: Paws Grooming Studio (Village Veterinary, Maiden Hill), Petmania (Loughboy), Posh Pets (Thomastown).
Training: Profound Hound Dog Training (Thomastown), Petmania Puppy Classes (Loughboy), The Canine College (087 238 9260).
Vets: Village Veterinary (Maiden Hill). Save the nearest emergency vet number before hitting any trail.
Pet Stores: Petmania (Loughboy), Pet Depot (Newpark Shopping Centre), Connolly’s Red Mills (Cillin Hill, Dublin Road).
Dog Park: Kilkenny Countryside Park (5km from city). First dedicated dog park in the county.
Rescues: Kilkenny SPCA (Green’s Hill), Carlow Kilkenny Dog Shelter (Kilmacahill), Inistioge Puppy Rescue (Cullaun).
Planning Your Visit
Kilkenny sits about 130km south of Dublin, under 90 minutes on the M9. The county is bigger than Carlow but the road network is good. Kilkenny City sits centrally with trails radiating in every direction. The Nore Valley Walk runs south from the city. The forests cluster north (Jenkinstown, Castlecomer) and south (Castlemorris, Woodstock). The Barrow towns (Goresbridge, Graiguenamanagh) are on the eastern edge. The hidden tributary walks (Kells, Freshford, Urlingford) sit west.
Best for a quick 10-minute energy burn: Lacken Walk, Canal Walk, Kilkenny Countryside Park dog park.
Best for a morning walk under an hour: Coill an Fhaltaigh, Jenkinstown Walled Garden Loop, Bennettsbridge Community Walk.
Best for a half-day walk: Nore Valley Walk Stage 1 or 3, Castlemorris Holly Loop, Brandon Hill.
Best for a full day out: Nore Valley Walk Stage 3 + Woodstock Gardens + Inistioge. Or Brandon Hill + Graiguenamanagh for a hill and a swim.
Best for hiding from the world: Skeoughvosteen, Tullahought, River Goul at Urlingford.
Best for dog swimming: King’s River at Kells Priory (hidden gem), Clashganny Lock (best on the Barrow), Thomastown Weir Pool.
Best for sleeping in the car: Brandon Hill car park (sunrise summit), Kells (medieval ruins at dawn), Inistioge (prettiest overnight).
Best base for a week: Croan Cottages (dogs welcome, 20 mins from everything).
Best for a group or family: Nore Valley Park campsite + Nore Valley Walk + Thomastown swimming.
Best walk nobody else knows about: River Goul at Urlingford. 6.5km loop past a river, a restored church, and a 15th-century castle. You’ll have it to yourself.
We parked at Kells the night before. Woke up at 6am, clipped on the leads, and walked to the priory. Not a soul. The King’s River was glass. The towers caught the first light. Willow went straight into the water. Bella inspected every wall. We stood there for ten minutes not saying anything. A priory, a river, two dogs, and nobody else in the world. That’s a morning no hotel can sell you.
Explore Carlow Next Door
Already done Kilkenny? Our Carlow mega guide covers 20+ walks, stays, services, and overnight spots right next door. Same format. Same depth. One page. Everything.