Smithwick's Experience

Explorer Tom Kilkenny Old Jail and Courthouse would tell you it’s seen more nonsense than your average reality TV show. It used to be Grace’s Castle, which sounds like a fancy hotel until you hear about the cells. Ideal spot for a dramatic phone call.

Explorer Tom Saint Francis's Abbey Brewery is an office building where a dog named Bishop is in charge of the polychromatic brick strategy. It’s High Victorian with blue vitrified bricks that look like they were painted by a very enthusiastic artist. Check the signage from across Parliament Street but don’t bark at the architecture.

Explorer Tom Smithwick's Brewery Experience can claim a long working history before anyone added visitor displays and a tasting room. Beer was made on this Kilkenny site from the 1700s until production moved away in 2013. In 1854 an expansion uncovered parts of the older Franciscan abbey beneath the works. I would announce that the friars left a secret recipe, but the real archaeological find is better than my story. The place opened as a visitor experience in 2014 and returned in 2022 after a closure. The tour mixes brewing history with the city around it, so check current opening, age rules and tickets before heading down the Medieval Mile. The abbey remains deserve as much attention as the famous drink. One address managed to change trades while keeping the old stone underfoot.

Explorer Tom Post box in Gardens on Parliament Street was saved by a hero nobody remembers, probably a postman with strong opinions. It’s got a royal cipher, which makes it feel slightly imperial and very smug. Ideal spot for a dramatic photo op with your coat tied around you.

Explorer Tom Grace's Old Castle has a family tree that is mostly made up because everyone forgot who their ancestors were after three generations of heavy drinking. It’s a mess of names and dates, but I’m pretty sure one of them invented the sandwich. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Rothe family in County Kilkenny would post 'Virtute non vi' on social media and get exactly zero likes because nobody understands Latin anymore, least of all me. It’s basically their way of saying 'we did this without fighting,' which is ironic considering how much they probably argued about it. Spot the oldest stone and give it a name.

Explorer Tom Sheela-na-gig in Gardens had a fox take charge of the graveyard once, and she just let him. She has the calmest face while doing all that staring. Dare you to say hello to it out loud.

Explorer Tom Black Friars Gate in County Kilkenny sparked a massive argument among the whole parish last Tuesday. Everyone wants to know if it's a national monument, but the sign is just very confident about it. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.

Explorer Tom Kyteler's Inn is named after a woman who allegedly designed the whole place while her mother-in-law was hiding under the bed, judging every single decision with furious silent eyes. The whole vibe is 'come in for a drink, but please don't make me regret inviting you into my home'. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom Font in Gardens is involved in a massive feud between two families over who actually owns the view, and honestly? Nobody knows which side it’s on anymore. It’s just sitting there under the tower looking incredibly guilty about everything that has happened since the medieval days. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom Black Abbey is absolutely fed up with people asking if it’s actually black; it’s just got a really bad tan from eight centuries of sun and smoke. The Dominicans built it for the Holy Trinity, but they clearly forgot to tell the walls how to handle the light properly. Give it a pat on the way past, it's had a long life.

Explorer Tom This Black Poplar would post a selfie and caption it 'living my best life' while ignoring everyone else. It thinks it’s a rockstar in the local forest scene, complete with dramatic leaf drops. Spot the oldest stone nearby and give it a name.