Graiguenamanagh on the River Barrow

Graiguenamanagh is a riverside town on the River Barrow, situated at the foot of Brandon Hill. The water, a distinctive hill and a long tradition of craftsmanship give the town a variety of facets. On a trip, you can combine boat trips and activities on the water with insights into the history of Duiske Abbey and the work at Cushendale Woollen Mills.

Experience the River Barrow from the water

Riverboat Adventures trips depart from Graiguenamanagh Quay and travel to Upper Tinnahinch Lock and Ballykeenan Lock. The routes pass through wooded valleys and offer views of local wildlife as well as lock-keepers’ houses. Lock-keepers used to live in these houses. This means that both the riverside landscape and traces of its former use are part of the experience.

Those who want to get active on the water themselves will find a range of options in Graiguenamanagh: Go With The Flow is one of the providers of canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. At Kilkenny Hydrobikes, visitors can try cycling on the water. The Brandon Hill Loop offers a different perspective on the landscape. It starts at the Barrow Valley Activities Hub on the River Barrow. Each of these options has a different focus: a boat trip, your own activity on the water, or a route connected with Brandon Hill.

The Hot Box Sauna, a Finnish sauna, is also located on the riverbank. So, alongside exercise and river trips, the options also include a sauna experience. Whether you want to plan your trip mainly around water activities or around culture and crafts, Graiguenamanagh offers a range of starting points.

Monastic history and textile crafts

Duiske Abbey is designated a National Monument. The early Cistercian church dates from 1204 and is now a Catholic parish church. Visitors can see the remains of the former 13th-century Cistercian monastery. Inside the abbey, notable features include elaborately designed monuments, altars and medieval floor tiles. The site thus combines its ecclesiastical use with visible traces of the former monastic complex.

Cushendale Woollen Mills also tells a story of long history: it dates back to a mill built by Cistercian monks in 1204. The Cushen family has been weaving there since 1778, continuing this craft tradition. Visitors can see how natural fibres are turned into finished textile products and learn about the processes of spinning yarn and weaving. Tours of the mills are available by appointment only. If you want to plan this visit, you should take this requirement into account.

Cooking as part of your stay

There are two different options for those interested in food. The Devils Menu Boutique Cookery School offers a culinary experience with local ingredients and gourmet dishes at Chef John Whelan’s home. At the Edward Hayden School of Cookery, you can learn culinary skills with Chef Edward Hayden. Both options put cooking at the centre: one describes an experience featuring local ingredients and gourmet dishes, while the other focuses on learning culinary skills.

The mix you are looking for may be an important factor in choosing your destination: Graiguenamanagh offers opportunities for river trips, your own activities on the water, culture, textile crafts and cooking. A holiday rental in Graiguenamanagh is worth considering if you want to focus your stay on these offerings and the riverside town itself. The experiences vary, so you can shape your trip around the subjects that interest you most.

Discover more places

Other town pages in this overview: Kilkenny, Piltown, Slieveroe, Jenkinstown, Mooncoin, Callan, The Rower and Castlecomer.

For the broader travel overview: County Kilkenny.