St. Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower
St. Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower
St. Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower are an essential part of the structural heritage in the vibrant medieval city of Kilkenny. This ecclesiastical site was founded in the 6th century and named after St Canice. Cill Channigh is the Gaelic for the Church of Canice, the church that originally stood on the site in the 6th century. The Round Tower is the oldest standing structure in Kilkenny City. Tourists can enjoy climbing the Round Tower capturing great views of the city (weather permitting). St Canice’s Round Tower is one of only two Round Towers that people can climb in Ireland.. Admission fee applies for visit into Cathedral and Round Tower.
Duration: < 1 hour
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See what travelers are saying
- Latifia RMancos, Colorado1 contributionA Must SeeThis place was amazing. You must climb the round tower and see the view. You must also tour the inside of the church. Absolutely stunning, so much rich history and the stained glass is breathtaking. The grounds are humbling.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 14, 2024
- Daniele_GoriziaSavogna d'Isonzo, Italy1,055 contributionsUnmissableAs for the cathedral, I believe that the previous reviews are already very complete, so I focus in particular on the climb up the tower: 7 flights of very, very steep and uncomfortable wooden stairs, then from the top you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the city below . In summer access is allowed until 9pm. I do not recommend the climb to those who are not in good physical shape, to those who suffer from vertigo or claustrophobia, and to those who are too robust in build, also because the last passage to get to the top is decidedly uncomfortable and quite narrow. Single ticket with the visit of the church.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 2, 2024
- Bobby HCounty Wexford, Ireland7 contributionsGuided TourHad a private tour with Daniel our tour guide who was very pleasant and very knowledgeable. He explained the history of the Cathedral in great detail and the local area.Really enjoyed the guided tour and would highly recommend.Also got to climb the tower on our own and had fantastic views from the top. Would need a moderate level of fitness to complete the climb. Excellent example of medieval Kilkenny.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 4, 2024
- Bozeman-DublinTrim, Ireland11,387 contributionsAmazing Views and Interesting TourWe had a lovely afternoon at St Canices recently. I loved the round tower climb and the views from the top. It's not an overly taxing climb if you have any level of fitness but it's done via a series of internal wooden steps, almost like ladders, so be ready for a bit of effort! As I said, the views of Kilkenny from the top make it well worth it! The cathedral itself is beautiful. We were given a laminated map to use to tour the 18 points of interest but I did also see folks with an audio guide. I have to say we really enjoyed it, done at our own pace and we found it fascinating. A brilliant way to spend an hour or two. You can pay for the Tower and cathedral separately or do what we did and buy a combo ticket for €11.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten July 2, 2024
- Victoria FLambersart, France156 contributionsInstructive audio-guided tourWe very much enjoyed the tour with an Audio Guide in our language with a screen that allows you to locate and place yourself in the right place to look in the right place. That was very instructive. We have paid a reasonable Award but accept it because it helps to maintain the medieval building.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 18, 2024
- Belinda L14 contributionsA must see in KilkennySt. Canice’s Cathedral is a must see in Kilkenny! But if you’re going there you might as well get the combo ticket which allows you to climb the round tower! First, I’d like to say that tickets to the Cathedral are inexpensive but more importantly they can be used all day so you don’t have to worry about having to be there at a precise time. Second, we were greeted by a very friendly worker, Fran, who was incredibly helpful and even recommended we climb the tower first and then come back to visit the chapel, just due to the fact that it was supposed to rain so it was our best chance for an amazing view. Climbing the tower was not for the faint of heart or anyone who is afraid of heights. These aren’t your typical “stairs.” Instead, be prepared to climb wooden (but stable) ladder stairs and if someone is coming down and you’re going up or vice versa, you will have to stand off to a very tight side to pass. However, once you get to the top the views are breathtaking! A full panoramic view of Kilkenny will leave you speechless! And have fun going back down! The cathedral was beautiful and I should note we did a self guided tour. I would be remiss if I didn’t call out the graveyard and the fact that members of the Smithwick Family (local brewery) are buried here.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 25, 2024
- JanChattanooga, Tennessee28 contributionsBeautiful!Beautiful cathedral with good guide. Round tower was enjoyable, but if you are claustrophobic or not in reasonable shape, it would be tough. I felt like if I missed a step I would fall so far I would die. Views at top were not that impressive to me.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 6, 2024
- James M2 contributionsWonderfulI was not expecting to be able to climb up to the top of a Viking Round Tower on my Ireland trip. Kilkenny itself is amazing and this was a great and historic experience. I would recommend this to anyone with a fascination of history like myself. The cathedral itself is also well worth the visit.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Antonio E
175 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
One of the most interesting cathedrals on a historical and artistic level in the whole of Ireland, also due to the evident overlap of architecture from different eras. Some funerary monuments and especially the floor slabs are of great interest. The 9th century tower may also be worth a visit but it is advisable for those who do not suffer from claustrophobia and are able to walk up and down the over 120 steps. Please note that there may be relatively long waiting times to enter the tower at peak times. The combination of church, tower and cemetery is very scenic from the outside (especially in the evening hours when there are no gatherings of tourists).

Written September 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lindsey c
Missoula, MT95 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
A medieval Cathedral that has been restored and is still used for worship. It's beautiful, tasteful and the audio tour was incredibly informative not only about the cathedral, but also about Kilkenny history.
I was unsure about doing an audio tour of an active worship space, but 10/10 recommend!! It's fascinating, and the self guided audio tour is top notch!
The tower was something I didn’t know we needed to check out (or even sure I COULD) the view of Kilkenny from the top is amazing, and the climb wasn’t too bad. (It’s basically several ladders!)
Don’t think, just do it!
I was unsure about doing an audio tour of an active worship space, but 10/10 recommend!! It's fascinating, and the self guided audio tour is top notch!
The tower was something I didn’t know we needed to check out (or even sure I COULD) the view of Kilkenny from the top is amazing, and the climb wasn’t too bad. (It’s basically several ladders!)
Don’t think, just do it!
Written November 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lita L
99 contributions
Jun 2023
If you have the rare opportunity to be in Kilkenny when a choir concert is scheduled at St. Canice, I'd highly recommend it. We had the great pleasure of enjoying a Wednesday evening choir concert highlighting the local choir as well as a high school choir from the USA. I've been to evensongs in the UK: St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey in London, York Minster, St. George's Chapel in Windsor; Wells, Ely, Exeter, and Chichester Cathedrals. As well as choir services at Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and Notre Dame in Paris and I can say St. Canice's ranks high on the list! It a heavenly way to experience the cathedral the way it was initially intended to be - a place to experience His presence.
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary M
Dublin, Ireland35 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
A warning: the climb is on wooden ladders, sturdy and large steps, but still ladders!
If you're ok with that then it's absolutely worth the climb. Good to experience the climb and chat to others on the way up and down. You have to wait at platforms in the tower to ensure you've left space for people going in the opposite direction!
I fear the tower may be closed due to safety concerns eventually so it was brilliant to have climbed it. The views from the top are amazing.
There was a haphazard queue the day we went but the lad at the base of the tower seemed to have it under control.
For anyone fit and well I would thoroughly recommend this climb, for the views, the experience and the general Irish commradarie inside the tower, chatting to strangers and everyone encouraging each other.
If you're ok with that then it's absolutely worth the climb. Good to experience the climb and chat to others on the way up and down. You have to wait at platforms in the tower to ensure you've left space for people going in the opposite direction!
I fear the tower may be closed due to safety concerns eventually so it was brilliant to have climbed it. The views from the top are amazing.
There was a haphazard queue the day we went but the lad at the base of the tower seemed to have it under control.
For anyone fit and well I would thoroughly recommend this climb, for the views, the experience and the general Irish commradarie inside the tower, chatting to strangers and everyone encouraging each other.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andydjp
Stotfold, UK638 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We walked the medieval mile from Kilkenny castle to the Cathedral. Up a few steps and welcomed by the round tower, which you can go up to the top of for five euro's. Entrance to the Cathedral was also five euro's each and an informative guide leaflet is provided. Full of history, we enjoyed an informative visit, a lovely ancient Cathedral.
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monica B.
Milan, Italy9,809 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The city developed enormously under the Normans, who used to build a large stone castle and a cathedral at opposite ends of the city. There appear to have been at least three earlier churches on the site of St Canice's Cathedral (from which the town takes its name: Cill Chainnigh “Canice's Church”). The date of its completion is certain, namely 1285; it was devastated by Cromwell's troops in 1650. It is located on top of a hill and the adjacent 30m high tower, which can be visited, offers a magnificent panorama.

Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janiemac2013
Dublin, Ireland74 contributions
Aug 2021
This Cathedral is wonderful, not just for its history and architecture. I thought the stained glass windows were really interesting - they could tell a social and historical story if somebody was willing to put in the time and expertise. This site deserves funding and expert advice on how to show it at its best. I loved it, but felt sad about the missed opportunity. I have visited it before as a music venue.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianne B
Chilliwack, Canada99 contributions
Jun 2022
Beautiful church inside and outside. The tower was narrow but interesting if your up to it. There are staff at this location that visited those waiting for the ones inside the tower climbing. They were cheerful and gave a lot of history of the church. Inside the church it self the history was there to see and the staff were able to answer questions.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K B
Evans, CO3 contributions
Mar 2022
For any person traveling in the Kilkenny area of Ireland, this is a must see and do item!
The history of this area is deep. St. Candice's Cathedral has so much history within its walls. This current cathedral was built in the 1100's and Christian services are still held today. To walk through, read and learn of this ancient history is awe inspiring.
Then be sure to go up the round tower! However, the climb itself is comprised of 125 or so steps that winds upwards as the tower itself is narrow. The views from atop the tower is very well worth the climb up. There are well done maps at the top of the tower so that you can identify what it is you are seeing.
To be honest, this was our highlight in Kilkenny while we were in Kilkenny county.
I would love to upload photos, but the site is not allowing me to at this time.
The history of this area is deep. St. Candice's Cathedral has so much history within its walls. This current cathedral was built in the 1100's and Christian services are still held today. To walk through, read and learn of this ancient history is awe inspiring.
Then be sure to go up the round tower! However, the climb itself is comprised of 125 or so steps that winds upwards as the tower itself is narrow. The views from atop the tower is very well worth the climb up. There are well done maps at the top of the tower so that you can identify what it is you are seeing.
To be honest, this was our highlight in Kilkenny while we were in Kilkenny county.
I would love to upload photos, but the site is not allowing me to at this time.
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaimee G
Urbana, IL452 contributions
Jun 2022
While Kilkenny Castle was a bit underwhelming, we found St. Canice's Cathedral well worth the visit. My parents toured the inside of the cathedral (with a numbered pamphlet) while my son and I climbed the round tower. It's one of only TWO round towers you can still climb in Ireland! It was a very bracing experience and not one for people with any kind of mobility issues or fear of heights. It involved first climbing a slender metal ladder and ducking into the tower followed by climbing short wooden ladders up to small platforms, squeezing around to the other side of the platform, and repeating until the top where there is a small viewing area on top of the tower. It was very windy and the tower leans ever so slightly- I definitely felt a bit of jelly in my legs. But the view was fantastic! You could leave your bags/backpacks at the bottom with the attendant for easier climbing. We also enjoyed the small cemetery at the back.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this opened again following lockdown?
Written July 15, 2020
Open hours from their website:
April, May & September
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm last admission 4.30pm
Sunday: 2pm – 5pm last admission 4.30pm
June, July & August
Monday – Saturday: 9am – 6pm last admission 5.30pm
Sunday: 1pm – 6pm
October – March
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 4pm last admission 3.30pm
Sunday: 2pm – 5pm last admission 3.30pm
Written June 29, 2019
Yes. There is also a lovely gift shop onsite. Both take. Credit cards. Enjoy!!!
Written June 2, 2018
We'll be in a big hurry because we only have a 2-hour stop in Kilkenny as part of a bus tour. What's the minimum amount of time we'd need to tour the cathedral and see/photograph the highlights? How much time will be needed to climb the tower? Will it be really crowded on a Saturday in August?
Written July 11, 2017
St Canice's C
Kilkenny, Ireland
Hello,
I am very sorry that I did not get to answer your question in a timely manner, I hope this did not put you off your visit to us as I can see some very concise answers from other Trip Advisor users, I recommend 30 minutes to see the Cathedral and a further 30 minutes to climb the Tower view the panoramic views of Kilkenny and descend. August is our busiest month however if you visit in the morning before 11 am you will have plenty of time to see everything when things are at their most peaceful.
Once again I am very sorry that I did not see this question and I hope you get a chance to visit.
Written August 12, 2017
About how long should you allot to tour Canice's Cathedral and climb the Round Tower?
Written May 13, 2016
St Canice's C
Kilkenny, Ireland
Hello and thank you for your email. The round tower climb will take approx 20 min. The Cathedral can take from 30 min to one hour depending on you level of interest in the building or to take time out to relax. Usual time of visit to Cathedral and tower is about 1 hour.
Written May 18, 2016
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