Castlecomer and Castlecomer Plateau

Overview

Castlecomer (Irish: Caisleán an Chumair) sits at the confluence of the Dinin, Brocagh and Cloghogue rivers in north County Kilkenny. The town of about 1,500 people is the gateway to the Castlecomer Plateau – an almost circular upland that rises to 334 m near Rossmore in Laois and stretches into County Laois and County Carlow. The plateau’s patchwork of limestone, wet soils and Sitka spruce plantations is dotted with Special Areas of Conservation, offering sweeping views over the River Barrow to the east and the River Nore to the west. The Barrow Way long‑distance trail runs along the eastern edge of the plateau, linking to the wider Barrow Valley network.

History & Background

The first recorded settlement dates to c.1200 when Norman knight William Marshal erected a motte‑and‑bailey castle at the river confluence – the namesake of the town. In the 17th century, English settler Christopher Wandesforde reshaped the area, bringing 600 Yorkshire families skilled in ironwork, weaving and forestry, laying out the wide Georgian‑style main street and exploiting shallow coal seams. Coal mining dominated the local economy for three centuries, peaking in the early 1900s before the last colliery closed in 1969. The former demesne of Castlecomer House was transformed into the community‑driven Castlecomer Discovery Park in 2007, while the Coal‑Mining Museum within the park preserves the industrial legacy.

The plateau itself has ancient roots in the kingdom of Osraige and was part of the historic barony of Fassadinin, home to the Uí Duach clan. Its industrial imprint is evident in the landscape and celebrated at the museum.

What to See & Do

Castlecomer Discovery Park

Set on 80 acres of mixed woodland and two lakes, the park is free to enter and offers a wealth of activities:

• Adventure attractions – Ireland’s longest over‑water zipline (300 m, 35 m high) and the adjoining Octagon high‑ropes course. Combo ticket €35.
• Tree‑Top Adventure Walk & Climbing Wall – 140 m high‑rope walk and multi‑level climbing wall; Skywalk Challenge €30.
• Junior Woodland Adventure – low‑ropes course for ages 3‑8, free with a €14 combo ticket.
• Orienteering trails – three marked routes (1.6 km, 2.4 km, 3 km); maps €5.
• Boating & Canoeing – pedal boats and Canadian canoes on the Upper Lake; €18 per boat.
• Craft Yard – restored stable yard housing potters, jewelers, stone‑carvers and the award‑winning Jarrow Café, which serves locally sourced dishes and specialty coffee.
• Coal‑Mining Museum – part of the visitor centre; entry €5 (concessions apply).

The park also hosts seasonal events such as the New Year’s Day Wellie Race (5 km cross‑country run in wellington boots), summer lakeside music evenings, the Autumn Harvest Fair (late September) with craft stalls and pumpkin carving, and a Winter Lights Trail in December featuring local artists’ installations.

Dunmore Cave

Located about 11 km north of Kilkenny, this limestone cavern stretches ~400 m and drops 50 m, featuring spectacular stalactites, stalagmites and the Market Cross Chamber – a six‑metre‑high cross‑shaped stalagmite. Legend brands it as one of Ireland’s three darkest places, and the Annals of the Four Masters record a Viking massacre here in 928 AD. The cave is open year‑round; see the table below for seasonal opening hours.

Ticket prices: Adult €5, Child/Student €3, Group/Senior €4, Family (2 adults + 2 children) €13. Facilities include a visitor centre, tea room and car park.

Exploring the Plateau

The plateau’s high ground offers panoramic walks with views over the Barrow and Nore valleys. Designated Special Areas of Conservation protect rare flora and fauna, making the area ideal for bird‑watching and gentle hill walking. Access is straightforward via the R448 (east/south), N77 (west) and the N78/R694 routes from Castlecomer.

Cycling & Walking Trails

The Castlecomer Plateau forms part of the Barrow Way, a 100‑km long‑distance trail that follows the River Barrow from its source to the sea. Sections of the route pass through the plateau’s mixed woodland, offering well‑marked, mostly gravel paths suitable for families and experienced walkers alike. For cyclists, the Dunmore Trail provides a low‑traffic, scenic loop of about 25 km linking Castlecomer, Dunmore Cave and the villages of Inistioge and Graiguenamanagh. Both routes are sign‑posted and connect to the wider Kilkenny County Council network of greenways.

Seasonal Highlights

• Winter Lights Trail (December) – an illuminated walk through the woodland, showcasing light installations by local artists.
• Autumn Harvest Fair (late September) – craft stalls, food vendors and a pumpkin‑carving competition.
• Summer Lakeside Music Evenings (June‑August) – free acoustic concerts on the upper‑lake terrace.
• New Year’s Day Wellie Race (January 1st) – a fun 5 km run in wellington boots, open to all ages.

Check the Discovery Park website for exact dates and any COVID‑related updates.

Nearby Heritage Sites

Castlecomer makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Kilkenny countryside:

• Inistioge – a charming riverside village on the Nore, famous for its historic bridge and the Inistioge Loop Walk (/inistioge/).
• Graiguenamanagh & Duiske Abbey – just 15 km east, the twin towns are linked by the scenic Duiske River Walk and the 13th‑century Duiske Abbey (/graiguenamanagh/).
• Barrow Valley – the river corridor offers fishing, kayaking and the Barrow Way trail (/barrow-valley/).
• Black Abbey, Kilkenny – a short drive into Kilkenny city brings you to the impressive medieval Black Abbey (/black-abbey/).
• Kilkenny Castle – the iconic castle and its parklands are a 20‑minute drive away (/kilkenny-castle/).
• Ballyragget – known for its historic castle and the Ballyragget Heritage Trail (/ballyragget/).

These sites can be combined into a full‑day itinerary: start with a morning walk on the Barrow Way, lunch in Castlecomer’s Jarrow Café, then head to Inistioge for an afternoon riverside stroll.

Getting Around

• By car: Castlecomer lies 16 km north of Kilkenny city. Major routes – R448, N77, N78 and R694 – provide easy access from Dublin, Waterford and the surrounding counties.
• Public transport: The nearest train station is Kilkenny (approximately 16 km away). Regular Bus Éireann services run between Kilkenny city and Castlecomer; check local timetables for exact route numbers.
• Parking: Free parking is available at the Discovery Park visitor centre (validated for café customers) and at the Dunmore Cave car park (pay‑and‑display). Limited roadside parking is also available in the town centre.

Travel Updates

• Road closures: In April 2026 a full closure of the M9 between Junction 7 (Paulstown) and Junction 8 (Kilkenny) was reported, affecting traffic to Castlecomer. Motorists are advised to check current road‑work information and allow extra travel time, especially during peak periods.

Practical Tips

• Opening times: Discovery Park grounds are open year‑round; the visitor centre and museum operate 9:30 – 17:00 (summer hours may extend to 18:00). Dunmore Cave hours are listed above.
• Tickets & fees: Most adventure activities at the park are ticketed (see section above). Museum entry €5, cave tickets as listed.
• Accessibility: Visitor Centre and coal‑mining exhibition fully accessible; three wheelchair parking spaces; woodland paths are mostly gravel and wheelchair‑friendly; activity accessibility varies – contact the park for details.
• Food: The award‑winning Jarrow Café offers a range of hot and cold meals, snacks and specialty coffee, with vegetarian and gluten‑free options.
• Contact:
  • Castlecomer Discovery Park: https://www.discoverypark.ie
  • Dunmore Cave: +353 (56) 776 7726
  • General enquiries: info@trips.ie

Whether seeking adrenaline‑pumping zip‑lines, a walk through industrial heritage, or a quiet descent into a Viking‑filled cavern, Castlecomer and its plateau deliver a uniquely Irish blend of history, nature and adventure.