Inistioge

• Accommodation
• Restaurants
• Pubs
• Things to See and Do
• Things to Know about Inistioge
• Inistioge Village - Historical Overview
• Getting to Inistioge
• Inistioge Summer Festival Competition

Inistioge offers visitors a host of activities to take part in, sights to see and places to relax.  Here we outline a few things you might enjoy during your visit.

Inistioge Village 

Many visitors enjoy a walk around the village taking in the tree-lined square and then down to the river.  The green area by the river is delightful and if you continue under the bridge you will be able to see Mount Sandford Castle, a folly, which is hidden in the trees.  A wildlife guide will help you identify the birds and animals you will encounter.

Behind the churches is the graveyard where you can examine the ruins of the 13th Augustinian Priory and the Mausoleum with Mary Tighe, of Woodstock House, is buried.  Moving on to Hatchery Lane, behind the Catholic Church, you can visit St. Colmcille's Well.  Woodstock Heritage Museum is not far away on High St.  Here you can examine the history of Woodstock and the village. 

Inistioge Art & Craft Centre

Inistioge Art & Craft Centre opens on St. Patrick's Day 2011 for the summer season after a very successful first year in 2010 and will run until middle of October with exhibits (not artists) changing every four weeks or so.  All are welcome to come and peruse, including children who we are anxious to interest in the world of art.

The centre will again have works from a great variety of artists this year.  Joining resident artist Edward Fox-Doyle will be local artists Maeve Doherty, Ray Osborn, Anne Cotterell and Patricia Cantlon in addition to internationally renowned artists Paul Kavanagh, Caroline Carroll, Aileen Rogers and Willie Redmond.  Local photographer Nicholas Vereker will also be displaying his work. The centre has had wonderful support from the local population, and from the many who visited the village last year.    

Inistioge Arts Centre is located on High St, Inistioge (50 yards from the Square) and will be open Wednesday- Sunday 10am-6pm.  (Or by appointment outside these hours:  Phone 086 8568259 / 086 8332256)

Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum

Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum are located within a mile of village. The gardens were once regarded as one of the great gardens of Ireland and Kilkenny County Council has undertaken a major of restoration.  There are over 50 acres of formal gardens and parkland dating from the Victorian period.  The gardens offer the visitor a wide variety of interesting features such as the Flower Terraces, the Winter Garden, the Monkey Puzzle Walk, the Noble Fir Walk, and the Arboretum with its rare collection of trees from all over the world.  The Dovecote and the curious Grotto provide an interesting focal point in the gardens.   Admission fee is €4 per car which includes admission for all occupants to the gardens.  Large groups and coaches, price on request.
087 854 9785          www.woodstock.ie 

Kilfane Glen & Waterfall

This is a 1790's Romantic era garden, complete with waterfall and cottage Orné. It is open during July and August from 11am to 6pm and situated two miles north of Thomastown, off the N9.  Follow the signpost opposite the Long Man Pub.
056 7724558      www.nicholasmosse.com

Jerpoint Abbey

Jerpoint was built around 1160 by the King of Ossory, Donal MacGillapatrick, for the Benedictine monks.  In 1180 it was taken over by Cistercian monks from Baltinglass Abbey.  By 1228 the population of the abbey had reached 36 monks and 50 brothers.  The monastery was self-contained, and included its own gardens, watermills, infirmary, cemetery, kitchens, granary, stables and other outbuildings.   At the time of the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540 the abbey was granted on lease to James, the Earl of Ormond by the English crown. The lease included some 6,000 hectares of land belonging to the Abbey, watermills, cottages, weirs, fisheries and a castle.  It is situated on the N9 a short distance south of Thomastown.   
056 7724623

Fishing

The Nore is highly rated as a salmon river with the stretch between Inistioge and Thomastown particularly popular during the season.  Fishing is controlled and a license is required which can be obtained in O'Donnell's pub.  Jim Brown is the local expert and can arrange trips for individuals and groups on the river.

Boating

The Nore is navigable by boat up as far as the boat slip in Inistioge.  The river is tidal, however, so trips need to be made at high tide.  Despite this many boats travel to the village each summer and the trip to Inistioge is a fun excursion for more experienced boating enthusiasts. 

Click here for a map of the navigation to Inistioge from the Inland Waterways of Ireland (IWAI) web-site.

Golf

There are a numerous golf courses within a short distance of Inistioge of which the following are some of the most popular. 

Mount Juliet

This 18-hole, par 72, 7,100 yards – 6,500 Metres course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in July 1991. The course has already been voted the best inland course in Ireland. Set close to the River Nore, water comes into play on six holes; the beauty of woodland and trees is ever present, while some 80 ever-vigilant bunkers, strategically placed throughout the course, place a premium on accuracy from tee to green.
In September 2002 and September 2004 Mount Juliet played host to the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship, which featured the top 50 golfers in the world. 
056 777 3000       www.mountjuliet.ie

Mountain View Golf Club

Mountainview is a picturesque 18-hole course situated in South Kilkenny (12 miles from Kilkenny and 14 miles from Waterford). The course offers a wide panoramic view of the surrounding areas from various parts of the course. There are two large sized lakes constructed which come into play on six of the holes. This beautiful all-year-round course provides an exciting challenge for the avid golfer. 
056 776 8122      www.mviewgolf.com

Gowran Park Golf Course

This is a wonderful Jeff Howes-designed golf course set amidst the old Annaly Estate in the heart of Co. Kilkenny.  Incorporating a mixture of old established woodland and lakes, this Par 71, 18-hole golf course provides an excellent test for the low handicap golfer whilst also being very enjoyable for the middle to high handicappers.  The newly developed club house and corporate entertainment facilities are especially suited to large corporate groups and societies. 
056 772 6225       www.gowranpark.ie