Located at 2 Saint Mary’s Lane, High Street, Kilkenny City (R95 ANW5), the Medieval Mile Museum is housed in the restored 13th-century Saint Mary’s Church, a cruciform structure and one of Ireland’s finest medieval churches. As the starting point of Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, a historic trail linking Saint Canice’s Cathedral to Kilkenny Castle, this museum offers an immersive journey through over 800 years of Kilkenny’s history. Ideal for history enthusiasts, families, and international visitors, it combines cutting-edge technology, medieval artefacts, and engaging storytelling, earning a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award for its top 10% global ranking.
Key Attractions and Experiences:
- Guided and Self-Guided Tours: Visitors can choose 45–60-minute guided tours (€12/adult, €9.60/concession, €6/child, €30/family of 2 adults and up to 4 children under 16, March–October 2025 prices) led by “knowledgeable” and “passionate” guides like John, Anna, Lyn, or Hugues (French-speaking), who share tales of Kilkenny’s medieval families, such as the Rothes and Shees.
- Tours, praised as “legendary” and “entertaining,” cover the church’s architecture, civic treasures, and historical anecdotes, running daily at 10am, 2pm, and 3pm (March–October). Self-guided audio tours (€9/adult, €7.50/concession, €4.50/child, €20/family) are available in five languages (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish) with child-friendly versions, downloadable to personal devices via QR codes.
- These allow exploration at one’s own pace, delving into exhibits like the Liber Primus Kilkenniensis (1231) and Ossory High Cross replicas. Reviews highlight the “immersive” and “fun” experience, with tours rated 5 stars on Tripadvisor.
Exhibitions and Artefacts:
- Civic Treasures and High Crosses: The museum displays Kilkenny’s civic records from the 1200s, including the Liber Primus, the 1609 Charter of James I, and the city’s ceremonial sword and mace. Replicas of Ossory High Crosses introduce the High Kings of Ossory and Saint Canice’s monastic legacy, showcasing Ireland’s finest stone sculptural tradition from Neolithic to modern times.
- 3 Lives, 3 Deaths, One Life Unlived: This cutting-edge exhibition features three skeletons excavated at the museum’s gate in 2016, with forensic analysis revealing their lives’ secrets. Visitors encounter the physical remains of medieval Kilkenny residents, offering a poignant glimpse into daily life and mortality.
- Rothe Chapel: A 1560s chantry chapel built by the wealthy Rothe merchant family, it houses well-preserved limestone tombs and carvings, providing insight into Kilkenny’s elite. The chapel’s ornate design is a highlight, described as “stunning” and “unique.”
- Kilkenny Room: Overlooking the city through a magnificent glass window, this space showcases artefacts like medieval manuscripts and archival documents, with interactive displays tracing Kilkenny’s civic evolution.
- Interactive Technology: A giant iPad-like touchscreen table, elongated plasma screen, and projected wall imagery create an “immersive” experience, allowing visitors to explore medieval Kilkenny’s streets and stories. Floor projections guide visitors to key exhibits like the Liber Primus, augmenting engagement.
- LEGO® Minifigure Hunt: A family favourite, this free activity tasks children with finding 10 LEGO® minifigures of Kilkenny’s historical figures (e.g., medieval merchants, wizards, Jedi Knights) hidden around the museum. Hand-crafted by guide Lyn, the hunt offers a small prize for completers, earning praise as “extremely popular” and “fun for all ages.”
- Medieval Mile Trail: A 90-minute guided walking tour (€15/adult, €13.50/concession, €8/child, €40/family) departs daily at 11am, exploring Kilkenny’s cobblestone streets, Kilkenny Castle, Saint Canice’s Cathedral, Black Abbey, and Rothe House. Expert storytellers reveal “hidden gems” and anecdotes, making it a “must-do” for understanding Kilkenny’s medieval capital status. The trail is included in some tour tickets or bookable separately.
- Graveyard and Wildlife Oasis: The 800-year-old graveyard, now a public garden, features medieval and Renaissance tombs visible through glass floors, alongside bats, butterflies, and diverse plants. A 3pm graveyard tour (March–October, included in guided tour tickets) explores its history and ecology, described as an “oasis” in the city centre.
- Educational Programmes: School tours for primary, secondary, and language schools offer insights into medieval life, craftsmanship, and archaeology, with tailored packages (book via www.medievalmilemuseum.ie). The museum’s education outreach is a “key priority,” engaging students and artisans like stone-carvers and designers.
- Event Venue: The museum hosts private events (weddings, conferences, concerts) in its atmospheric medieval setting, with bookings via museumevents@medievalmilemuseum.ie. Temporary exhibitions and cultural events enrich Kilkenny’s cultural scene, though specific 2025 events are not yet listed.
- Gift Shop: A “unique” shop offers reasonably priced souvenirs, books on Irish history, and local crafts, distinct from typical Irish gift shops. Reviewers appreciate the curated selection, though some suggest adding more Kilkenny-specific items.
Visitor Expectations:
- A visit typically lasts 1–2 hours, including a guided or audio tour, LEGO® hunt, and gift shop browsing.
- The museum’s “fascinating” exhibits, “welcoming” staff, and “beautiful” Gothic architecture create a “recommended visit” experience, rated #3 of things to do in Kilkenny on Tripadvisor.
- The €12 guided tour (or €9 audio tour) is “well worth it” for its depth, though some find the museum’s exhibit space “small” or less artefact-heavy compared to traditional museums. The interactive displays and “horrible history” style appeal to all ages, but the lack of multilingual signage (beyond audio guides) may challenge non-English speakers.
- The museum is wheelchair-accessible, with set entry times for safety, and located a 2-minute walk from Kilkenny Castle. Free parking is limited; nearby pay-and-display options exist. Accessible by Bus Éireann or Irish Rail to Kilkenny MacDonagh Station (15-minute walk), it’s ideal for combining with Kilkenny Castle, Saint Canice’s Cathedral, or Smithwick’s Experience. Bring comfortable shoes for the trail and cash for small purchases, as card payments may rely on Wi-Fi.
What’s New:
- Medieval Museum of Kilkenny Expansion: The most significant development is the €6.5m “Medieval Museum of Kilkenny,” incorporating the existing Medieval Mile Museum and a new visitor attraction at The Tholsel, Kilkenny’s 1761 City Hall. Construction began in 2024, with an expected opening in Quarter 2, 2025 (April–June).
- The project includes a 12-month construction phase and 3-month fit-out, featuring virtual reality (VR) elements to enhance the visitor experience. The Tholsel will retain its civic functions while adding historical exhibits, unified under a new brand with “fun, humour, and ‘horrible history’ style” storytelling to attract diverse visitors.
- The outdoor areas around Saint Mary’s Church will be landscaped, with an outdoor play space and covered seating for a coffee kiosk, creating a more inviting public space. The central interactive map table in Saint Mary’s will become mobile to accommodate large events, and the Kilkenny Room will be adapted for venue hire, increasing flexibility.
- This expansion aims to re-establish Kilkenny’s historic centre as a highlight of Ireland’s Ancient East, drawing visitors beyond Kilkenny Castle. The existing Medieval Mile Museum will operate normally during construction.
- Operating Hours: From March to October 2025, the museum is open daily with guided tours at 10am, 2pm, and 3pm, and graveyard tours at 3pm. November to February, it closes Tuesday and Wednesday, with tours at 10am, 11am, 2pm, and 3pm (Monday, Thursday, Friday) or 10am and 2pm (Saturday, Sunday, with graveyard tours at 3pm). The Medieval Mile Trail runs daily at 11am. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes early.
- Booking: Reserve guided tours or the Medieval Mile Trail via www.medievalmilemuseum.ie or +353 (0)56 781 7022, especially in summer or for groups. Cancellation is up to 24 hours in advance.
- Preparation: Wear comfortable shoes for the walking trail and bring headphones for audio tours. Cash is advised for small purchases or if Wi-Fi affects card payments.
- Getting There: From Dublin, take Irish Rail or Bus Éireann to Kilkenny MacDonagh Station (15-minute walk). Drive via M9 (90 minutes). Parking is pay-and-display near Saint Mary’s Lane.
- Combine Visits: Pair with Kilkenny Castle (2-minute walk), Saint Canice’s Cathedral (10-minute walk), or Smithwick’s Experience (5-minute walk). Jerpoint Abbey (20km) or Dunmore Cave (25km) are nearby day trips.
- The museum is wheelchair-accessible, but confirm specific needs in advance. Audio tours support multiple languages, but signage is primarily English.
- Events: Check for temporary exhibitions or cultural events, especially during Kilkenny Arts Festival (August) or Savour Kilkenny (October), which may feature museum tie-ins.
The Medieval Mile Museum offers a “fascinating” and “immersive” journey through Kilkenny’s medieval past, with the 2025 Medieval Museum of Kilkenny expansion adding VR and a new Tholsel attraction, cementing its status as a cultural highlight.
