Summer is finally here! The days are longer, the kids are on school holiday and it only rains half of the time! Unfortunately, parents will know all too well the cries of ‘I’m bored’ every few minutes during the summer break. Entertain the entire family when you plan a trip to Kilkenny this summer. With lots to see and do, plenty of family-friendly places to eat and lots of open space to tire out little legs, Kilkenny is the ideal choice for a family holiday. Hoban Hotel offers family-friendly hotel accommodation on the edge of Kilkenny City, ideal for walking to the heart of the action while enjoying a peaceful night’s sleep in quiet surroundings. Kilkenny is busy all year round so we advise booking our best available rates on our website to secure our lowest price as soon as possible.
Family Accommodation in Kilkenny
Before you add to your Kilkenny itinerary, book the ideal accommodation. Hoban Hotel is ideally located on the edge of the city, perfect for great days exploring the county and peaceful nights relaxing as a family. Our in-house bar and restaurants are family-friendly, and we have a dedicated kids’ menu with all of their favourites. Our family rooms are suitable for two adults and two children and rollaway beds are available at a small extra charge. We can provide baby cots so you can travel a little lighter. Our family package includes an overnight stay, free car parking and Wi-Fi so everyone’s devices are always connected. We’ll also include a surprise welcome pack for younger children. Our special offers are exclusively available on our website.
Castlecomer Discovery Park
If you’re lucky enough to get good weather on your trip to Kilkenny (and if you’re not it will make a good adventure!) Castlecomer Discovery Park is the perfect spot. It’s an 80-acre activity park with lots of space for family walks, picnics and making memories. Located a 25-minute drive from The Hoban Hotel, the park has outdoor activities for all ages which include a zipline, tree-top walk, climbing wall, Octagon, boats, archery, trails and more. You can enjoy the visitor centre, a coal mining exhibition, the beautiful park grounds and the Redwood Café on-site to freshen up and caffeinate. Guests can also enjoy a 10% discount on entry, just ask one of our team.
Nore Valley Park
If your children are fascinated by animals, we’d recommend a trip to the magical Nore Valley Park. The traditional farm on site has operated since 1898 and is a real favourite among younger members of the family. See farm animals enjoying life at Nore Valley learning more about their care and how to feed them. It’s a hands-on experience, bottle feeding baby kids and lambs and handling cute baby rabbits. For the more active children, they can enjoy the fun playground, sandpit with mini digger, straw play area and giant chess. There are camps mid-week during the summer so adults can enjoy Kilkenny in peace!
Reptile Zoo
Sticking with the animal theme, although a little less fluffy and cute, the National Reptile Zoo is located just outside Kilkenny, just 10 minutes drive from Hoban Hotel. The whole family will be amazed by the different species of reptiles housed here and learn about their natural habits. The zoo is home to over 50 species including alligators, pythons, geckos, and chameleons. Get close up and find out what a snake feels like in the demonstration area or watch the alligators relax in their pool. The animals are rotated throughout the day, so you won’t know what surprise you are in for! Booking is not mandatory but recommended during busy times like school holidays.
Rainy Day in Kilkenny
We know the weather isn’t always ideal in Ireland but never fear, there is still plenty to do in Kilkenny with your family when the rain pours. There are dozens of family-friendly restaurants in the city and our 1801 restaurant is ideal for a family meal. There are shops to entertain teens including Penney’s, the home of a bargain. Bring the family to K Bowl in McDonagh Junction Shopping Centre for a friendly competition. Show your room card and receive 1 hour of bowling for €20 for up to 6 people. Kiltorcan kart Racing is ideal for older families and is an exhilarating day out for everyone. Kilkenny IMC Cinema Barrack Street is a perfect escape from the weather too.
Book a family trip to Kilkenny’s Hoban Hotel and enjoy the best of the city from a comfortable base. Our family special offers are exclusively available when you book direct. We look forward to welcoming you for a family break you’ll never forget.
