These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Kilkenny
- 1st Place: Inistioge – Often described as one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages, Inistioge’s magic lies in its stunning location on the River Nore, framed by a iconic tree-lined square and a 10-arch stone bridge. Visitors come for the beautiful riverside walks, the historic Woodstock Estate gardens, and its appearance in classic films like “Widows’ Peak.”
- 2nd Place: Kilkenny City – The Marble City is a powerhouse of heritage and culture, seamlessly integrating its pristine medieval streets with a vibrant contemporary arts and food scene. Top attractions include the majestic Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower, the Medieval Mile Museum, and a thriving craft brewery and restaurant culture.
- 3rd Place: Tullahought – A small, proud village in the foothills of Slievenamon, renowned for its incredible community spirit and dedication to preserving its geological and cultural heritage. The nearby Tullahought Cove (a UNESCO Global Geopark site), the fascinating Connogeary Mass Rock, and the scenic South Leinster Way walking route are key draws.
The 2025 Irish Restaurant Award winners for county Kilkenny
- Overall: Campagne
- Café: Knockdrinna Cafe
- Casual Dining: Nóinín
- Chef: John Kelly, Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
- Customer Service: Butcher Restaurant
- Employee Excellence Award: Anita Massey, The Grill Restaurant at Lyrath Estate
- Gastro Pub: Langton’s Bar and Restaurant
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate
- Innovator: Arán Artisan Bakery & Bistro
- Local Food Hero: Tracie Daly of Tracie Daly Food Business Coach
- Newcomer: Dizzy Goat Restaurant
- Pub: Malzards Bar and Pub
- Restaurant Manager: Shane Rice, Zuni Restaurant at Zuni Boutique Hotel
- Sustainable Practices: The Greenhouse at Mountain View
- Use of Social Media: Cafe La Coco
- Wine Experience: Ristorante Rinuccini
- World Cuisine: Tābú
Awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Restaurant awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Kilkenny:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Kilkenny is a county of medieval charm, with Kilkenny City’s castle and St Canice’s Cathedral showcasing well-preserved architecture and round towers. The Dunmore Cave offers intriguing limestone formations, while the Nore Valley’s walking trails provide scenic beauty. Other attractions include the historic Jerpoint Abbey’s intricate carvings. Kilkenny is Ireland’s 16th largest county by size (2,062 square km) and 21st largest by population (104,160). Population peaked at 202,420 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 60,463 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Kilkenny is Ireland’s eleventh most visited tourist county with around 207,000 international visitors per year.
2025 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
