Discover Jenkinstown

Jenkinstown combines woodland trails and parkland with literary and architectural history. When planning your trip, the different loop walks, nature in the park and topics related to Jenkinstown House are of particular interest. This can help you decide whether to focus on a walk, wildlife watching or historic architecture.

Literature and architectural history

Thomas Moore wrote “The Last Rose of Summer” in 1805 during his stay in Jenkinstown. Jenkinstown House preserves significant remains of a once-extensive country house complex built for Sir Patrick Bellew. The Gothic Hall is a striking example of Gothic architecture. The estate also includes an attached private Catholic estate chapel dating from around 1825. These buildings and the literary connection offer different points of interest, from the poem and the history of the country house to its architecture. Booking may be required for events in the Gothic Hall.

The Thomas Moore Theatre is a venue with 106 seats. If you would like to include an event in your trip, check in advance which dates are available. This lets you distinguish a visit to the theatre from a walk through the parkland.

Loop walks in Jenkinstown Wood

Two easy loop walks are worth considering when comparing your options. The Jenkinstown Wood – Walled Garden Loop is 2 km long and starts and ends at the Jenkinstown Wood car park. It follows a woodland trail within the walls of the old estate. The Jenkinstown Wood Loop is also rated easy, covers 3.3 km and has a stated walking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It passes through woodland and parkland, partly on a woodland trail and partly on a sandy path. Along the way, it passes a section of the old stone wall of the former estate and a turn-off to St Colman’s Well. The distance and stated walking time can help you plan your day; check the current route description before setting out.

As part of the redevelopment of Jenkinstown Wood, a fully accessible 1.2 km path called “The Last Rose of Summer Walk” was also created. Kilkenny County Council reported this on 25 June 2025. The redevelopment also included a ramp between the car park and the extended picnic area. Check the current condition of the path before visiting.

Parkland and nature

Jenkinstown Park retains remnants of parkland dating from the 1870s, including rare Chinese poplars. Other key tree species include beech, ash, oak and spruce. Bluebells add a seasonal highlight: from mid to late April, they carpet the ground in purple beneath the beech trees. If you plan your trip for this period, the bloom offers a distinct natural attraction alongside the trails and historic estate.

Wildlife includes foxes, badgers, stoats, and red and grey squirrels; deer live in an enclosure. Jenkinstown Park also has a wildlife park, a craft centre and a picnic area. As visitor facilities may change, check which are currently available before your trip.

More travel ideas in County Kilkenny

County Kilkenny, as a wider travel destination, offers other distinct cultural attractions. Rothe House in Kilkenny was built in 1594 as a place of business and family home for John Rothe Fitzpiers. During opening hours, visitors can take tours with expert guides or explore the house, courtyards and garden on a self-guided visit. The Cistercian Jerpoint Abbey was founded in the 12th century and is known for detailed stone carvings dating from the 13th to 16th centuries. Children can take part in a treasure hunt at the nearby visitor centre. These examples add further architectural and art history to a visit to County Kilkenny.

Jenkinstown is also a destination on a named route for cyclists: the North Kilkenny Cycle Loop runs from The Parade in Kilkenny city centre to Jenkinstown Park. No distance or cycling time is given, so use the route as a guide to the course, not for timing your trip.

Discover more destinations: The Rower, Graiguenamanagh, Gowran, Kilkenny, Ballyragget, Mooncoin, Slieveroe, Mullinvat

For the wider travel overview: County Kilkenny.