Kilkenny Castle is Ireland's second most visited ticketed OPW site
Other Kilkenny sites listed outside of the top ten include Jerpoint Abbey (30,937), Kells Priory (28,225), Dunmore Cave (26,548) and St Mary's Church, Gowran (418)
Kilkenny Castle and Parklands was the number two most visited ticketed OPW heritage site last year, according to recently released data.
The site recorded 477,748 visitors in 2025, second only to Dublin Castle, which recorded 588,069 visitors.
Third on the list for last year was the Rock of Cashel (377,345) followed by Kilmainham Gaol (271,233), Phoenix Park Visitor Centre (171,148), Ross Castle (155,130), Dún Aonghasa (142,448), Brú na Boinne (140,440), J F Kennedy Arboretum (130,598) and Clonmacnoise (123,461).
Other Kilkenny sites listed outside of the top ten include Jerpoint Abbey (30,937), Kells Priory (28,225), Dunmore Cave (26,548) and St Mary's Church, Gowran (418).
Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, stated that the 2025 visitor data “is a testament to the enduring appeal of our national heritage”.
“From historic houses to ancient monuments, the continued investment by the State in our rich and unique heritage portfolio is essential for the safeguarding and preservation of our built heritage,” he added.
Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive castle.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see this grand country house and walk through its fifty acres of rolling parkland and wildlife.
Other features include a formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and a man-made lake, which were added in the nineteenth century.
There is also a tearoom, playground and several orienteering trails for visitors to enjoy.