Rooms at Alcantra
All guestrooms at Alcantra are warm, comfortable and spacious.
Room Features & Amenities Include:
- All rooms en-suite
- Hair dryers supplied
- In-room televison.
- AA 4 Diamond Awarded.
- Bord Failte Approved.
- RTA Member.
- Private Parking.
- Non Smoking Premises.
- Assistance with Itineraries & Tours provided.
- Irish language spoken.
About Kilkenny Medieval City
Kilkenny, or the Marble City as it is known, is one of Ireland's oldest cities, and proud of it. Its array of ancient buildings is unrivalled. It is renowned for being a vibrant cultural center, devoted to the musical and visual arts. Its two most impressive landmarks are Kilkenny Castle, founded in 1172 and privately owned until 1967, and St. Canice's Cathedral. The current structure of the cathedral dates from the 13th century, though this is nowhere near the beginning of its story, which is rich in folklore and legend. There is no shortage of pubs to explore and enjoy in Kilkenny and during the summer the city is always full of life. The summer also sees the city host an Arts Festival and a very highly regarded Comedy Festival called the Cat Laughs.
The following locations are in close proximity to Kilkenny
Waterford City (1 hour)
Waterford City is the capital of the Sunny South East of Ireland. Waterford City was established in Viking times and it has an exciting medieval flavour and riverside bustle. The City is the home of Waterford Crystal, a lifestyle product of exquisite craftsmanship. Waterford county offers a dazzling coastline, beautiful river valleys and two dramatic ranges of very accessible mountains. A natural playground, Waterford offers the complete holiday experience.
The Rock of Cashel (1 hour)
If you approach Cashel from the north on the main Dublin-Cork road, you will round a 21st century bend and suddenly be transported back 1,500 years. There, standing proud on the plains, is the great 4th century fortification of Cashel - the stone fort. This was the seat of kings and medieval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Indeed there was a settlement here from pre-Christian times, traces of which have long since vanished. Brú Ború - the palace of Ború - is a national heritage centre at the foot of the Rock of Cashel. This cultural and interpretative village is designed around a village green and is home to the study and celebration of native Irish music, song, dance, story telling, theatre and Celtic studies. Cashel itself is a busy little market town
Glendalough Monastic Settlement (1.5 hours)
An hour south of Dublin nestled among the Wicklow Mountains lies Glendalough ("The Glen of the Two Lakes"), the site where St. Kevin founded a unique monastic settlement in the 6th century. Most of what remains of the settlement is in ruins but the Round Tower at Glendalough, built as a refuge from marauding Vikings, is over a 1000 years old and is remarkably well preserved. The site itself is set next to two clear water lakes beneath the sheer cliffs of a deep glacial valley. It is one of the most serene and beautiful places in all Ireland and it is easy to see why the monks picked it for a place of prayer and contemplation. There are a myriad of walking trails throughout the area making it a truly invigorating place to spend the day.
Avoca Village (1.5 hours)
The village of Avoca lies in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. It is here in Avoca where you will find the "Meeting of the Waters", the point at which the Avonmore and Avonbeg Rivers come together to form the Avoca River. Avoca is home to Ireland's oldest woolen mill, Avoca Handweavers, established in 1723. This family-owned craft design company began at the Old Mill where weavers produced the beautifully woven fabrics which became Avoca's hallmark. Recently Avoca has become most famous for being the setting of the popular BBC soap opera "Ballykissangel".
