Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny’s Barrel Yard the place to be for music and food - 2024 events kick off next Saturday

Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny’s iconic Barrel Yard venue kicks off its 2024 programme in style with an opening session on Saturday, March 30.

The event features free live music from Crossroads, mouth-watering Indian cuisine from the award-winning Spice Genie food truck and Smithwick’s, Ireland’s famous ale, on tap.

The excitement continues into the second weekend at Smithwick’s Barrel Yard, from April 5 to 7, with Mexican food and live music from The Raindogs on Saturday. From May until the end of September, the festivities continue every weekend at the history-steeped and buzzing location. Attendees can look forward to live music, DJ sessions, and a vibrant atmosphere, complemented by delicious food prepared and served on-site from a variety of top-class food truck vendors.

“The Barrel Yard sessions are the perfect meeting or starting point for a night out,” Ignacio Peregrina, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny Manager, said. He highlights the venue as the quintessential after-work gathering spot for locals, who subsequently venture to nearby pubs, restaurants, and hotels. Additionally, Ignacio emphasises its prime location, making it a central hub for weekend festivities, particularly during Kilkenny’s numerous festivals and sporting events.

“Last year's trial of the Barrel Yard was a resounding success. Entry is free, and we provide ample seating and standing space in our enclosed, heated outdoor space. A full bar will be available each weekend, featuring a range of options, including low and no-alcohol options," he says.

“Our entertainment programme will mainly showcase classic rock and Americana genres, but it will also feature a mix of chill-out vibes, DJ sessions, and festival celebrations,” Ignacio added. Full details of weekend events will be regularly updated on Smithwick’s social media platforms and advertised locally in the Kilkenny People and on KilkennyLive.

“We’re very excited to have teamed up with a variety of food trucks vendors offering tasty treats from around the world. We’re varying the offering to include Indian delicacies, barbecue delights, Italian fare, including wood fired pizza, and the very best in Caribbean cuisine, all freshly prepared and available for enjoyment at your table. Chef Christopher Braganza, winner of RTÉ’s Battle of the Food Trucks, will be on site to kick off the season in style.”

Ignacio underscores Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny’s commitment to supporting local businesses, stating: “We are proud to support local vendors and bands. It’s all part of our commitment to supporting the cultural and entertainment sectors in Kilkenny, as well as our investment in festivals such as the Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival, Savour and so much more.”

The Barrel Yard, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny’s new outdoor space, pays homage to the historic former brewery yard where wooden barrels were once repaired and stored, ready to be filled with Smithwick’s ale for distribution to pubs around Ireland.

It is the perfect spot for visitors and tour groups to unwind before or after their visit, and for friends and family to gather and enjoy Smithwick’s famous red ale in the heart of our medieval city before exploring the surrounding pubs, restaurants, and hotels.

For more information, visit www.smithwicksexperience.com or follow @smithwicks_ireland on Instagram.