Kilkenny Archives - Europe Up Close

8 Best Highlights of Kilkenny, Ireland

Published/Revised July 25, 2016 By Bram Reusen This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

What makes Ireland such a superb travel destination besides the epic coastlines, quaint countryside and world-renowned pub life are its cities and towns. From Dublin on the east coast to Galway on the west coast, from Belfast (let’s include Northern Ireland too, as it’s part of the same island after all) in the north to Cork in the south, Ireland’s cities are places that should by no means be ... Read Full Article

Visit These Top 5 Cities in the Emerald isle

Published/Revised July 10, 2015 By Guest Contributor This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Céad míle fáilte! The Irish saying that means ‘a hundred thousand welcomes’ is something that you’ll hear plenty of times when traveling around Ireland. It’s the unofficial slogan of the Emerald Isle, often considered to be one of the friendliest places on earth and renowned around the world for its iconic symbols: clover leafs, leprechauns, St. Patrick, whiskey and Guinness. Ireland’s ... Read Full Article

The Joys and History of Irish Beer

Published/Revised June 11, 2014 By Michael Orr This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Discussions of Irish beer usually begin and end with one word: Guinness. There is no doubt that Arthur Guiness’ great creation is the most famous beer in the world, let alone in Ireland. But there is much more to the beer scene on the Emerald Isle than just the meal-in-a-glass that draws all the headlines. Of course one cannot simply ignore Guinness when dissecting Irish beer. In the ... Read Full Article

Galway – The Stunning Jewel of Ireland’s West Coast

Published/Revised May 13, 2016 By Cam Hassard This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

While Dublin pulled well over it’s weight in nightlife craic (an Irish term for fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation), I’d been told by more than one Irishman along my brief stint in the capital city, that equal, perhaps even more glory might be found a bus ride away in Galway. Galway is located on the precipice of the stunning western peninsula. The western coastline of Ireland is ... Read Full Article

Enjoy the Nightlife and More in Kilkenny, Ireland

Published/Revised May 13, 2016 By Morgen Young This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

The small city of Kilkenny is known for its eponymous castle and preservation of its medieval history, but this Irish destination also offers lively nightlife and great shopping. The town is a popular weekend destination for many Irish denizens. Whether interested in history, shopping or a vibrant nightlife, Kilkenny offers all in a condensed, easily navigated city center. From Dublin Airport, one ... Read Full Article

Touring Irish Breweries

Published/Revised June 30, 2016 By Katie Hammel This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

The Irish people are justifiably proud of the fine beer created in their country. You can sip local productions in every pub in Ireland, but for a full understanding of the cultivation and culture of the country’s famous tipples, you’ll need to journey to the source. These breweries located around Ireland, are open to the public and offer comprehensive tours and tastings. Guinness Storehouse – ... Read Full Article

Ireland’s Historic Castles

Published/Revised May 14, 2016 By Terri Fogarty This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

A visit to Ireland would not be complete without a visit to one of its historic castles. Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have some fine specimens. Located on the northwest coast of Ireland, Carrickfergus is Ireland's best-preserved Norman castle. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, this massive stone fortress includes a keep, guardroom, storeroom, kitchen, chapel, hall, ... Read Full Article