County Kilkenny, with its medieval charm and scenic landscapes, is emerging as a compelling destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Combining modern facilities with cultural richness, Kilkenny offers a practical and engaging setting for business travellers seeking to blend work with memorable experiences.
The county features a range of venues tailored for professional gatherings. The Lyrath Estate Hotel, just outside Kilkenny City, offers conference spaces for up to 800 delegates, equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, advanced audio-visual technology, and flexible room layouts. The Newpark Hotel provides meeting rooms for up to 400 guests, with tailored catering and modern amenities. For exhibitions, the River Court Hotel hosts function suites accommodating up to 300 delegates, with on-site technical support and riverside views.
Incentive travel in Kilkenny draws on the county’s historic and natural attractions. Organisers can arrange team-building activities such as guided tours of Kilkenny Castle or craft workshops at the Kilkenny Design Centre. Experiences like private brewery tours at Smithwick’s Experience offer delegates a chance to engage with local traditions while fostering group cohesion. Kilkenny’s compact geography ensures these attractions are easily accessible, seamlessly blending leisure into business itineraries.
Kilkenny’s connectivity strengthens its MICE appeal. Located just 90 minutes from Dublin Airport and under two hours from Rosslare Europort, the county offers easy access for international and domestic travellers. Regular bus and train services, including Irish Rail and Bus Éireann routes, connect Kilkenny City to Dublin, Waterford, and Cork, with good road networks and on-site parking at venues simplifying logistics. Local event planners, supported by Kilkenny Tourism and Fáilte Ireland, offer expertise in delivering tailored programmes, ensuring smooth execution of conferences and incentive trips.
Accommodation options cater to business needs, with hotels like the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel offering comfortable rooms and meeting facilities for up to 500 delegates. Unique venues, such as the Mount Juliet Estate, provide elegant settings for boardroom gatherings or product displays, complemented by locally sourced dining. The county’s hospitality sector focuses on delivering professional yet welcoming experiences for delegates.
Kilkenny’s blend of modern infrastructure and authentic attractions makes it a compelling choice for MICE tourism. From well-equipped conference venues to engaging incentive activities, the county offers a balanced environment for business and leisure.
MICE
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 – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – 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 – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
