Overview
Kilfane Glen is a 1790s Romantic garden in a wooded valley on the edge of the Kilfane demesne, just outside Thomastown. The heart of it is engineered theatre: a stream diverted along a mile-long feeder canal to feed a 30-foot waterfall that drops into a pool below, with a thatched cottage orné set among beech, chestnut and oak as if it had always been there. It covers about 6 hectares (15 acres) and is listed as an Irish Heritage garden, awarded assistance in 1993 by the European Union Cultural Commission.
Before you plan anything, know the catch: it opens only in July and August, 11am to 6pm daily, and is closed the other ten months of the year. Admission is €9 per adult, card only – no cash – with reductions for students and OAPs (€8.50), children (€8) and families (€25 for up to two adults and four children). And dogs are not allowed, so leave them at home. Miss the summer window and there is nothing to see, so check the dates on the official site before you set out.
History & Landscape
The Power family, who owned Kilfane, created the glen in the 1790s, diverting the stream and building the canal and cascade that still anchor it. The hand behind the actual design is unknown, but it leaned hard on Rousseau and the Romantic movement, favouring winding paths, stone bridges, a rustic grotto and carefully placed follies over rigid symmetry.
By the late 19th century, declining family fortunes led to neglect. Paths grew over, the watercourse ran dry and the thatched summerhouse decayed. Because the estate sat on the fringes of later farming, the garden escaped the clearance that flattened many similar demesnes, and surviving sketches and watercolours guided a careful restoration around the turn of this century. Today the original layout is joined each summer by site-specific sculpture placed through the grounds.
What to See & Do
- Woodland & Formal Gardens – The route moves from manicured lawns into shaded trails. Spring brings carpets of bluebells, while ferns and mosses thrive year-round. Look for the original stone bridges, weathered boulders and the historic grotto tucked into the rock face.
- The Waterfall – The engineered cascade drops 30 feet over natural rock. Flow varies with the seasons, shifting from a steady winter rush to a lighter summer trickle. The pool below is a popular spot for quiet reflection or a packed lunch.
- Thatched Summerhouse – Positioned at the foot of the falls, the cottage-or-né remains intact. It is open for viewing from the garden paths and makes a striking photograph, though the interior is not accessible to the public.
- Kilfane House & Church Ruins – A Georgian mansion frames the upper garden. Nearby stand the ruins of the 13th-century Kilfane Church, which hold the Cantwell Fada, an effigy of a Norman knight reputed to be the tallest of its kind in Britain or Ireland.
- Summer sculpture – Each season, site-specific works by Irish and international artists are placed through the upper garden to play off the topography and planting.
Practical Information & Visitor Tips
- Getting There – Access the estate via the R704 from Thomastown. A small, free car park sits at the entrance. On summer weekends it fills quickly, so aim for early morning or late afternoon arrivals.
- Public Transport & Cycling – Bus Éireann services run regularly from Kilkenny City and Waterford to Thomastown. From the town centre, the glen is a 2 km walk or a short taxi ride. The surrounding lanes are quiet and popular with cyclists; bike racks are available near the visitor entrance.
- Admission & Payment – €9 per adult, and card only – no cash is accepted. Reductions apply for students and OAPs (€8.50), children (€8) and families (€25). Group bookings are available. Note there are no catering facilities on site.
- Accessibility – Paths are mostly gravel and can be uneven or slippery after rain, so the glen is not wheelchair-accessible and best suited to visitors comfortable with moderate walking on rough ground.
- Dogs – Not allowed. The official visiting page is explicit that dogs may not visit Kilfane Glen & Waterfall.
Nearby Heritage Sites
Kilfane Glen sits within a dense network of medieval and historic sites. If you have time to extend your day, consider pairing your visit with:
- Black Abbey – A 13th-century Cistercian abbey in Kilkenny City, noted for its medieval carvings and atmospheric cloisters.
- Jerpoint Abbey – Extensive Cistercian ruins set beside the River Nore, a short drive from Thomastown.
- Inistioge – A riverside village with craft workshops, historic churches and a scenic walk along the Nore.
- Dunmore Cave – A limestone cave system offering guided tours through dramatic underground formations.
- Kilkenny Castle – The city’s iconic medieval stronghold and surrounding parkland, home to the Butler Collection.
Aim for a July or August weekday if you can: summer weekends fill the small car park early, and the glen is at its best with the woodland paths and the sound of the falls to yourself. Bring a card rather than cash, and double-check the opening dates on the official site before you drive out – get the month wrong and the gate is shut.