Category: What’s On

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 2^nd & 4^th 
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.

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Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

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

Looking for something a little different this Easter holiday? The Medieval Mile Museum invites families to enjoy a fun-filled historical adventure inspired by one of Kilkenny’s most fascinating medieval figures, Lady Isabel de Clare.

 

This Easter, young explorers can travel back in time and take part in a thrilling Easter Egg Hunt through the museum. Armed with clues and curiosity, children will search through the galleries to uncover hidden hints and solve the puzzle that reveals a secret word. Along the way, keep an eye out for special Easter eggs, some of which hold extra surprises for sharp-eyed adventurers.

The story behind the hunt brings children closer to Kilkenny’s remarkable history. Lady Isabel de Clare, daughter of the famous Strongbow, was one of the most powerful women in medieval Ireland and played a key role in shaping the city’s history. During this interactive adventure, families will encounter echoes of that history as they explore the museum’s fascinating exhibits.

The fun doesn’t end with the treasure hunt. After completing their quest, children will have the opportunity to celebrate the arrival of spring in a creative way. Each young adventurer can plant wildflower seeds for Lady Isabel’s garden, helping to create a colourful symbol of renewal and growth.

To make the experience even more memorable, we have a face-painting stand and a balloon artist; children can also add their names to the Cloak of Dreams, a magical keepsake celebrating their Easter adventure at the museum.

Event Details
Date: 3^rd to 6^th April
Time: 12:30 – 13:30 & 14:00 – 15:00
Tickets:  €10 per child. Adults join for free

Book your Easter Adventure Ticket Here

This event is designed especially for families, combining history, imagination and hands-on fun in the unique surroundings of the Medieval Mile Museum, located in the beautifully restored 13th-century St Mary’s Church in the heart of Kilkenny.

Bring the family, follow the clues, uncover hidden surprises and enjoy a memorable Easter adventure in the heart of Kilkenny’s medieval past.

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Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our
guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

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

A Children’s Workshop at the Medieval Mile Museum

Calling all young heroes.
This St Patrick’s weekend, children are invited to train like real knights in a lively, hands-on workshop set within the historic walls of the Medieval Mile Museum.

Learn to Be a Knight is a fast-paced, imaginative experience designed for children ages 4–9, though all ages are welcome. Through games, crafts and friendly challenges, young participants will explore medieval life while building confidence, teamwork and creativity.

Workshop Details

Date: Monday, 16 March 2026
Times: 11:00 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Tickets: €10 per child

Spaces are limited, so booking in advance is recommended.

Click Here to Book Your Ticket

 

What Is a Knight?

The workshop begins with a short, interactive introduction to medieval knights. Children will learn what knights wore, the armour they used, and the weapons they carried, as well as the importance of manners, rules and chivalry. This gentle introduction helps set the scene and gets everyone ready for training.

Knight Training Begins

Once training starts, young knights are put to the test with a series of playful activities designed to encourage listening, cooperation and movement. Games include castle-themed challenges, following orders and preparing armour for battle, all inspired by medieval life and adapted for safe indoor fun.

Creative Craft Time

Each child will decorate their own pre-made sword, choosing colours and designs inspired by medieval heraldry. This creative section allows time to slow things down, express individuality and prepare for the games ahead.

Let the Games Begin

With helmets on, the action really starts. Children will take part in a series of energetic medieval games, including:

• Walking a castle wall and testing balance
• Tossing balls into a dragon’s mouth
• Stealing dragon eggs in a playful team challenge
• A mini jousting tournament, where knights ride their trusty horses and try to hook rings with their swords

All games are designed to be safe, supervised and age-appropriate, with plenty of encouragement and laughter along the way.

The Grand Finale

At the end of the workshop, each child is officially knighted and presented with a certificate to mark their achievement. Prizes are awarded, and there’s time to celebrate new knights before the session concludes.

What’s Included

All materials and equipment are provided, including swords, helmets and game props. Our guides will be in costume and on hand throughout to lead activities, encourage participation, and ensure a fun and safe experience for everyone.

A Memorable Family Experience

Learn to Be a Knight workshop is a wonderful way for children to experience history through play, imagination and movement. It’s lively, friendly and full of medieval fun, creating memories families will take home long after the day is over.

The workshop starts promptly. Please arrive on time so your young knight doesn’t miss a moment of the adventure.

Spaces are limited, so booking in advance is recommended.

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Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our guided tours, immersive exhibits, andspecial events.

Click here to book your visit today.

 

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

A Clever Cat & A Brave Rat Puppet Show

Date: 19th, 20th & 21st February | 12: 00 & 14:00

This February midterm, the Medieval Mile Museum invites families to enjoy a delightful puppet adventure with A Clever Cat & A Brave Rat, a heart-warming story created especially for younger audiences.

Join our friend Malice on a brand-new journey filled with wit, courage and an unexpected friendship. Through gentle humour and imaginative storytelling, this charming show celebrates brains over brawn, bravery in all shapes and sizes, and the simple joy of working together. Bursting with colour, character and playful moments, it’s a performance designed to spark curiosity, laughter and young imaginations.

Taking place in the Kilkenny Room, the puppet show offers a lovely introduction to storytelling and theatre for children under 10, set within the historic surroundings of the Medieval Mile Museum. Families can enjoy the show as part of a wider visit, exploring 800 years of Kilkenny’s history before or after the performance, making it a relaxed and enjoyable day out during the midterm break.

Whether you’re local or visiting Kilkenny for the holidays, this is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, share a story together and create a special midterm memory.

Show Details
Date: February 19th, 20th & 21st
Time: Two shows daily at 12 pm and 2 pm
Price: €7.50 per child

Suitable for children under 10 years old.

Advance booking is recommended, as spaces are limited.

Book Your Ticket Here.

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Discover more about Medieval Kilkenny through our guided tours, immersive exhibits, and special events.

Click here to book your visit today.

 

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

Science Week at the Medieval Mile Museum

November 10^th, 11^th & 13^th 2025

This November, the Medieval Mile Museum is bringing Ireland’s ancient ingenuity to life with a week of fascinating workshops for Science Week. Kindly supported by SETU, the South East Technological University and delivered by the School of Irish Archaeology and the McDonald Family of stonemasons, these free events invite both children and adults to explore how early innovation shaped our history, from the first farmers of the Stone Age to the stonemasons who built Kilkenny’s finest landmarks.

Throughout the week, visitors will uncover the creativity and skill that defined our ancestors, discovering the science hidden within age-old crafts.

Monday, November 10th

10:00 am & 12:00 pm
Begin the week with a journey back to the Stone Age and experience life as Ireland’s first farmers. Children will get hands-on with Stone Age pottery making, inspired by Neolithic art and symbols, learning how these early people expressed their connection to nature and community.
The morning continues with a Stone Age axe-making workshop, where participants explore the science behind toolmaking and discover how ingenuity helped our ancestors survive and thrive.

 

Tuesday, November 11^th

10:00 am – 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm
On Tuesday, the focus turns to passage tombs and rock art, a chance to uncover the stories carved into Ireland’s ancient stones. Participants will learn about the famous Knowth kerbstones and the meanings behind Neolithic patterns and spirals.
Children will then create their own clay tablets, decorated with these symbols, to take home as a personal piece of prehistory.

 

Thursday, November 13th | 6:30 pm
The week concludes with an evening dedicated to the timeless craft of stone masonry. Led by the McDonald family of stonemasons, this session offers a rare insight into the techniques, tools, and traditions that have shaped Ireland’s architecture for centuries.
Through live demonstrations and shared stories, visitors will see how ancient knowledge continues to influence craftsmanship today.

Click here to book your place.

Join us to celebrate history, creativity, and the science of human imagination.

All Science Week events are free to attend, kindly funded by SETU and supported by:

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

 

Festive Wreath Making Workshop

Date: 4th & 7th December 2025

Get into the Christmas spirit with a magical wreath-making workshop at the Medieval Mile Museum this December, held as part of Yulefest Kilkenny in collaboration with Festina Lente.

Surrounded by twinkling lights and seasonal cheer, you’ll be guided in  creating your own beautiful wreath using sustainably foraged natural greenery from their own sensory garden.

Festina Lente is a delightful creative space nestled in the heart of Bray, County Wicklow. Their beautifully maintained Victorian walled gardens, dating back to the 1780s, are designed to engage all the senses, offering a rich tapestry of textures, scents, and colours that inspire creativity and calm.

The greenery used in our wreath-making workshop is freshly gathered, eco-friendly, and sustainably foraged from these gardens, bringing colour, texture, and the scent of Christmas while inspiring creativity and calm. By the end of the workshop, you’ll take home a handcrafted wreath brimming with festive spirit and tradition.

Choose from an adults-only evening workshop for a relaxed night of creativity and sparkle, or join one of our Sunday family sessions, where adults and children can craft together and share in the joy of the season.

Dates:

• Thursday, 4th December – Adults Workshop
  Time: 18:30
  Tickets: €40
• Sunday, 7th December  – Family Workshops (up to 4 people/1 wreath per family)
  Time: 13:00, 14:30 & 16:00
  Tickets: €40

Spaces are limited! Book your place now and make this Christmas truly special!

Book Your Ticket Here.

This event is organised in partnership with Yulefest Kilkenny and Kilkenny County Council.

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

 

Toil and Trouble – An Evening of Fire, Light, Storytelling and Music

Date: Saturday, 1st November | Time: 18:45 – 21:00

This November, step inside the Medieval Mile Museum after dark for a night unlike any other. As part of the Kilkenny Home of Halloween Toil and Trouble programme, we’re opening our doors for an evening woven with fire, folklore, and music that promises to be both magical and memorable.

The night begins outdoors with a dramatic spectacle of fire and drumming, lighting up the evening sky and setting the perfect tone for what’s to come. From there, audiences will be welcomed into the museum’s historic surrounds, where the renowned Candlelit Tales will take centre stage. Known for their spellbinding performances, Candlelit Tales bring witches, ghosts and eerie folklore to life, blending ancient stories with live music in a way that captivates every listener.

As the evening draws on, the atmosphere will shift once more, lifted by the extraordinary talents of Zoë Conway and John McIntyre. This dazzling fiddle and guitar duo, deeply rooted in Irish tradition yet fearless in their creativity, have earned acclaim as “one of the best folk duos on the planet.” Their music will close the night on a high note, leaving audiences both enchanted and energised.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Halloween experience at the Medieval Mile Museum. It promises to be an unforgettable evening in one of Kilkenny’s most atmospheric spaces.

Ticket: €7.50 per child | €15 per adult

Tickets are limited, so be sure to book yours now and join us for this one-of-a-kind Halloween experience.

Book Tickets Here

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