Blaze a trail as Kilkenny Trails Festival kicks off
Celebrate, explore and get active– hikes, bikes and so much more, from 1st-29th September!
The Kilkenny Trails Festival kicks off this Sunday 1st and runs for the month of September, with a jam-packed and exciting programme of events designed to inspire you to get out and about, get active and get exploring the wonderful Kilkenny countryside.
A collaboration between Trail Kilkenny and Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership, the Kilkenny Trails Festival is a month-long celebration with more than sixty events planned for September, there are trails and fun for everyone, featuring everything from heritage to harvests, paddling to picnicking, biking to bat-watching, scavenging to scones, and all culminating with the grand finale event The Harvest Picnic at Highbank Organic Farm on Sunday 29th; a gathering picnic with artisan food and craft market, heritage train and lots more fun on the farm!
Many of the events are free and where there is a charge they’ve been priced to encourage people to join in. Charges for Trail Kilkenny or KRSP events are simply to cover any costs.
Get active on one of the activity trails like the Hike and Bike to Bennettsbridge on Sundays during September leaving the Tea House at Bateman Quay at 11 and cycle to Bennettsbridge, leave your bike there and walk back into the city along the riverbank. Costs are €20 per person
If you have a bike in your shed and would like to get back on the road, join the Re-Introduction to Cycling workshops over 2 nights – call KRSP 056 779 4990 to book your free place.
Walk Challenges Start a walking habit on the ever popular City Fit Walk Series; starting this Monday evening at 7pm; meeting at Canal Square, opposite XtraVision.
For experienced walkers, there’s the challenging weekly walks with Tyndall Walking Club each Sunday; starting with Brandon Hill this Sunday, then Mount Leinster, Nore Valley Walk, Slievenamon and Mount Alto. A highlight will surely be the Brandon Moonlit Walk on Friday 20th September. These walks are suited to teenagers (accompanied) and adults with reasonably high level of walk fitness. Meet at Kilkenny Cinema at 9.30am and car pool from there.
Explore and Picnic with the family in the woods and enjoy a free guided tree trail at Woodstock (Sunday 15th) or Jenkinstown (Sunday 22nd). Have fun foraging and join Mary White’s free taster tours at Kilkenny Castle on Wednesday evenings (4th and 11th) ay 6pm.
Discover stunning country estates with a Garden and History tour of Shankill Castle (€5 weekends), meet the Gardener and enjoy afternoon tea or join a walking trail at Mount Juliet (from €20 per adult/€10 child on selected Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Try something new like Nordic Walking (Saturday 7th September) Canadian Canoeing with Charlie Horan of Go with the Flow every Sunday for the month, €15 for children €20 adult. Orienteering in the Discovery Park (€25 on Saturday 14th) or Guided Cycle Trails to Dunmore Caves (€23 on Saturdays) or along the Barrow Towpath (€15 adult €10 child on Saturday 21st)
Pick up a copy of the Events Guide
Booking most events need to be pre-booked. You’ll find details in the Events Guide – pick up a copy in Kilkenny People office on High Street or from the Tourist Information office on Rose Inn Street and many other outlets. You can also view or download the Kilkenny Trails Festival Events Guide on www.kilkennytrailsfestival.ie
Many of the events are free and where there is a charge they’ve been priced to encourage people to join in. Charges for Trail Kilkenny or KRSP events are simply to cover any costs.
IN BRIEF
Don’t miss
this week’s free events
Brandon Hill Walk
Sunday 9.30am at Cinema
City Fit Walk Series
Monday 7pm 056 7794990
Re Introduction to Cycling
Tuesday 6pm 056 7794990
Incredible Edibles
Wednesday 6pm Tel: 087 2707189
Plan Ahead
Next Week’s Highlights
Meet the Maker City Craft Trail
Saturday 7th 11am Ray Power 087 232 7743
Nordic Walking
Saturday 7th KRSP 056 7794990
Cycle the Barrow Tow Path
Saturday 7th11am Brian Roberts 086 408 4008
River Walk and Tea in Ballyduff House
Saturday 7th 3pm €3 pp Eoin Hogan 056 775 2111