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Kids Bealtaine Carnival at the Museum

Looking for things to do with kids this May Bank Holiday in Kilkenny? Celebrate the arrival of summer together at the Kids Bealtaine Carnival at the Medieval Mile Museum, a joyful family event specially created for children aged 5 and up. Inspired by ancient seasonal traditions, this lively event brings together storytelling, crafts, music, games and movement in a fun and welcoming setting for young explorers.

Bealtaine marked the beginning of summer in Ireland long ago, a time of gathering, creativity and celebration. At the museum, children can experience a taste of those traditions through hands-on activities designed especially for curious minds and energetic imaginations.

A Morning or Afternoon of Medieval Fun
Young visitors will enjoy a range of activities throughout the carnival, including:

  • Making their own flower crowns or festival masks
  • Listening to stories from our Chief Storyteller
  • Taking part in traditional medieval games
  • Learning a traditional dance
  • Helping decorate the colourful Maypole

It’s a wonderful chance for children to learn through play while connecting with Ireland’s seasonal traditions in the heart of Kilkenny’s historic Medieval Mile.

Event Details
Event: Kids Bealtaine Carnival
Dates: May 2nd & 4th 
Time: 11:30 and 15:30
Tickets: €10 per child
Suitable for: Ages 5+

Click Here to Book Your Tickets!

A Celebration Inspired by the Past
Bealtaine was once one of the most important seasonal festivals in Ireland. Communities gathered to welcome longer days, new growth and brighter weather. The Kids Bealtaine Carnival brings a playful version of that spirit to life inside the unique surroundings of St Mary’s Church, offering families a memorable way to celebrate the season together.

Come along, get creative, enjoy the stories, and help us welcome summer the way it might once have been celebrated in medieval Kilkenny.


Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided toursimmersive exhibitsand special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

For more info
Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie

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What’s On This Autumn & Halloween

This October, the Medieval Mile Museum is summoning a season of magic, mischief and music to the heart of Kilkenny. Whether you’re chasing chills and thrills with the kids or fancy dancing the night away, there’s plenty to enchant your midterm break.

Magic & Mischief on the Mile

From 28th to 31st October, families with children aged 4 to 14 are invited to step into a world of enchantment with Magic & Mischief at the Medieval Mile Museum. Delivered in collaboration with Home of Halloween and Kilkenny Tourism, this spooktacular event is tailor-made for curious children and brave parents alike.
Step inside the ancient stone walls of the Medieval Mile Museum where shadows whisper and secrets linger… the perfect setting for a Halloween adventure steeped in folklore, fun and frightful surprises.

Each 60 – 75 minute session tricks up:

Spooky Storytelling with The Grim Chronicler, spinning eerie tales of witches, folklore and ghostly goings-on from Kilkenny’s medieval past. Expect flickering lanterns, goosebumps, and a tale or two you’ll never forget. Secure your place… before the witches do!

Potion-Making Workshop, where little witches and wizards can brew their own bubbling concoctions. There’s just enough mystery in the mix to spark wide-eyed wonder.
Claim your potion-making pass while supplies last!

Halloween Scavenger Hunt – Creep through the museum’s nooks and crannies on a quest filled with strange clues and chilling giggles, ending in a trick-or-treat surprise for every child.
Book now… if you dare step inside the Mile!

With spot prizes, themed décor and plenty of frightful fun, Magic & Mischief is set to be one of Kilkenny’s most memorable Halloween happenings. Sessions run twice daily at 10:30am and 2:30pm, but beware, spaces vanish fast, with just 25 children per session.

Cost: €7.50 per child
Dates: 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st October
Daily Times: 10:30 am and 2:30 pm
Ages: 4–14 and their families (children must be supervised).

Book your spooky spot before it disappears into the mist!


Latin Dance Nights – Bachata & Salsa

If ghosts and ghouls aren’t your thing, swap broomsticks for dance shoes! On Wednesday nights in November, the museum transforms into a dance floor for Latin Dance Nights, presented by The Dance Club Kilkenny and supported by Kilkenny County Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

Originating in the Dominican Republic, Bachata is known for its soft, romantic rhythm and close partner connection. It’s expressive, smooth, and easy to learn. Salsa, with its roots in Cuban and Afro-Caribbean traditions, is faster and more energetic full of spins, footwork, and joyful movement that lifts the soul. Whether you’ve danced before or you’re stepping out for the first time, these Latin styles bring people together through rhythm, laughter, and pure fun.

6:30pm – Bachata: smooth, romantic and full of flow.
7:30pm – Salsa: fiery spins and high-energy moves that will lift your spirits.
No partner required, all levels welcome, just bring your best moves (and maybe a little courage).
Cost:
• €12 for one class
• €18 for both classes on the same night
• €45 for all six classes
Dates: 5th, 12th, 19th November

Reserve your spot now and make your November nights sizzle with dance!

A Season of Spells & Steps

This autumn, the Medieval Mile Museum is alive with stories, spirits, and salsa. From eerie legends to sizzling Latin rhythms, we promise a season that’s equal parts spine-tingling and toe-tapping. And as always, our tours continue, whether you choose a guided tour, explore at your own pace with our interactive self-guided experience, or set out on a Medieval Mile walking tour. There’s no better way to encounter history than along the Medieval Mile in the golden glow of the autumn, with plenty of things to do in Kilkenny this autumn.

Dare to join us? Book your tickets now… if you’re brave enough.

Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie
Call: 056 781 7022 | Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie


 

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Culture Night 2025

Culture Night 2025 at the Museum

This Culture Night, Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile Museum invites you to experience an evening where history, harmony, and heart come together in perfect tune. On Friday 19th September 2025, from 6.30 – 7.30 pm, the museum’s historic walls will resonate with the sublime sounds of the Phoenix Choir, performing a special set in aid of local charity Teac Tom.

The Phoenix Choir is a Kilkenny-based choir with over 30 members singing in four-part harmony. They cover a wide range of music genres including pop, country, and music from the 1960s to the present day. Their passionate and emotive performances promise to bring warmth, joy, and energy to Culture Night, making this a truly special occasion for audiences of all ages.

Culture night 2025

Teac Tom provides vital mental health support and suicide intervention services to those in need. Their mission as a community and voluntary organisation is to provide affordable and immediate services to help individuals struggling with their mental health or who have been bereaved by suicide. All donations and support from this performance will go directly to helping Teac Tom continue their essential work in the local community.

Expect a night filled with live music, community spirit, and the enchanting atmosphere of one of Kilkenny’s most iconic cultural landmarks. This free event promises to be a highlight of Culture Night, offering families, friends, and music lovers a chance to celebrate creativity, community, and Kilkenny’s rich cultural heritage.

Culture Night 2025

Come along, enjoy the music, and support Teac Tom make this Culture Night one to remember at the Medieval Mile Museum.

For more information, please get in touch with the Medieval Mile Museum:

Phone: 056 779 4180
Email: info@medievalmilemuseum.ie