Travel FAQs

Question

How early can I access my hotel room once I arrive in Kilkenny?

Answer

Check-in at all Kilkenny hotels is 4 PM and you should not expect to get into your room any earlier. They will hold your luggage at the front desk until your room becomes available. If you'd like to access your room upon arrival, especially after flying overnight, we recommend you book a room for the evening before you arrive.

Question

Where should I fly in and out of in Ireland?

Answer

If the first stop of your Ireland trip is Kilkenny, we recommend flying into Dublin Airport, which is 90 miles north of Kilkenny. The Dublin airport is the home of Ireland's spectacular airline, Aer Lingus, as well as major US carriers (Delta, United, and American). Ireland's other major international airport is Shannon, located further west and a bit further from Kilkenny. Our welcome reception will be held on Sunday evening, August 20th. If you are able to fly Friday evening, August 18th, you will arrive Saturday, August 19th with ample time to recover from any jet lag!

Question

How do I get to Kilkenny from Dublin Airport?

Answer

Kilkenny is approximately 90 miles and 90 minutes south of Dublin Airport (of course, rush hour traffic can impact this so please keep in mind when returning to airport for your flight home). Also, immigration to return to the US is done in the Dublin airport (versus in the US) so please leave plenty of extra time when travelling out of Dublin. JJ Kavanaugh Bus- Ireland’s premier bus service picks you up at the Dublin Airport (Coach Park-Zone 16) and drops you in Kilkenny/Ormande Road, which is in the town center and walkable to the hotels. Cost is approximately 25 euro for a single one-way, or 35 euro for round trip tickets. Family tickets and pricing also available. Please book in advance. www.jjkavanagh.ie/dublin-airport-buses/ Green Bus- An alternate / slightly more affordable bus service that provides a more local route from Dublin to Kilkenny (more frequent stops). A slightly less luxurious bus experience than JJ Kavanaugh but gets the job done! ***Busses run about every two hours! Irish Rail- There is a train option out of Dublin Heuston Station that takes you directly into Kilkenny, dropping you a 5-minute walk from the wedding venue and city center. The train takes about 1 hr 20 min NOTE: For this option, you'll need to taxi from the airport to Heuston Station. https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/ Martin Butler/Kilkenny Taxis- 087 77 77677 (8 seater taxis available) Taxis can be booked in advance and fare is about 215 euro. www.kilkennytaxis.ie/contact/ Dublin Airport Collection- You can arrange a private van or car transfer from the airport to Kilkenny, costing you ~300-350 euro. This would be a great option for groups or pairs traveling to Ireland on the same flight. Note: Ubers are also an option but likely less reliable. https://dublin-airportcollections.net/destination/taxi-to-kilkenny/ Rental cars are available but please remember that they drive on the opposite side of the road in Ireland and many cars are not automatic.

Question

How do I get around Kilkenny once I'm there?

Answer

Great news! Kilkenny is a quaint town and for the most part, everything is walkable! That being said, bring comfy walking shoes and be prepared for all types of cobblestone streets. Otherwise, Uber operates in Ireland (although you are booking a regulated taxi driver through the Uber app). This could be confusing if you're used to Uber-style ride-sharing, but it works well. Rental cars are available but please remember that they drive on the opposite side of the road in Ireland and many cars are not automatic. If you plan to travel elsewhere in Ireland during your trip (see below), you may want to line up private cars between cities/destinations or look up public transportation routes in advance, unless you're comfortable renting a car and driving on the opposite side of the road.

Question

I want to travel around Ireland before or after the wedding. What should I know?

Answer

WHERE TO GO + WHAT TO DO: Ireland has something for everyone -- vibrant cities, beautiful countryside, rich history, incredible golf, and endless charm. You can't really go wrong, and should certainly do independent research to plan the best trip for your group, but here are a few of our favorite ideas: CITIES: Dublin is Ireland's largest city and contains many of its best museums, restaurants, and cultural/historical sights. Out west, Galway and Killarney are popular tourism hubs known for live music, art, and vibrant culture. Nearly any small village on your route will offer a warm welcome and authentic charm that is uniquely Irish -- our favorites include Kinsale, Ennis, Adare, and Dingle. GOLF: The Southwest of Ireland is home to world-renowned courses like Waterville, Ballybunion, Old Head, Tralee, Lahinch, and more. Call our friends at Carr Golf to get the best possible guidance and support booking this part of your trip! TIMING YOUR TRIP (BEFORE VS. AFTER THE WEDDING): As you may know, Notre Dame plays football against Navy in Dublin on 8/26 (5 days after our wedding). Over 40,000 Americans are expected to visit for the game, so it will be Ireland's busiest tourism week of the year! With that in mind, we recommend that you build in extra travel time BEFORE our wedding if you are NOT interested in attending the ND game. This will allow you to avoid fighting the football game crowds and paying top-dollar for lodging and airfare.